Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative
Deadline: 22-Nov-21
The Study of the U.S. Branch Office of Academic Exchange Programs, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), invites proposal submissions for Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative to inspire young leaders from the United States and India to work together to advance civil rights, social justice, and inclusion locally, nationally, and globally by exploring the history and legacies of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The ultimate goal of the Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative is to inspire and develop a network of aspiring young civic leaders from the United States and India to work together to advance civil rights, social justice, and inclusion locally, nationally, and internationally by exploring the history and legacies of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Exchange will seek to develop participants’ leadership skills and equip them with the tools and networks to support these endeavors.
The Exchange aims to provide 10 U.S. and 10 Indian undergraduate and graduate students with a deep understanding of the practice of peace, nonviolence, and conflict resolution. The program will bring all 20 participants together online and in-person in the United States, and in India for an exploration of relevant themes by examining both countries’ historical and contemporary contexts through academic sessions, leadership development workshops, skills-building exercises, educational travel, site visits, and opportunities to interact with diverse communities in each country.
Purpose
The Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative is a new program that honors the legacies of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and draws on the long history of friendship and shared interests between the United States and India.
Exchange Theme
The Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative should provide approximately 20 undergraduate, graduate, and recently graduated students (ten from the United States and ten from India) with the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and discuss a variety of topics related to the histories and legacies of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., particularly in their practice of peace, nonviolence, and reconciliation in championing civil rights. Topics may include, but are not limited to: civil rights movements; social justice; the roles of civic and government organizations in advancing human rights; the rights of minorities or historically disadvantaged groups, whether racial, ethnic, religious, or based on sexual orientation or gender identity; community building; resilience; diversity, equity, inclusion, and 4accessibility; grassroots activism; women’s issues; peaceful conflict resolution; reconciliation;and social change.
Exchange Components
The Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative should comprise four major components. Each component should support the overall goals and objectives of the Exchange; address relevant topics; leverage local resources; and complement other program components to create a coherent, well-integrated exchange program.
Funding Information
Approximate Total Funding: $400,000, pending availability of funds.
Approximate Number of Awards: One
Approximate Average Award: $400,000, pending availability of funds
Ceiling of Award Range: $400,000 for FY 2022 base year
Participants
Participants will be undergraduate, graduate, or recent graduates ages 18-25 with a demonstrated interest in the Exchange theme. The twenty participants will be recruited from historically underserved and disadvantaged groups. Participants will have a record of academic achievement and demonstrated leadership experience in their communities. Approximately ten participants will come from the United States and ten from India. The U.S. Embassy in India will take the lead on the recruitment of qualified candidates from India. The award recipient will take the lead in the recruitment of qualified candidates from the United States. ECA will approve the final participant selection decisions.
Eligibility Criteria
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Private institutions of higher education
Others
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=335892