ASEF: Fellowships for Students to Visit Slovenia

The American Slovenian Education Foundation (ASEF) Junior Fellows program provides fellows with comprehensive support, allowing them to focus on their professional development at Slovenia’s top universities, institutes, and companies. The purpose of the fellowship program is to give talented students of Slovenian heritage an opportunity to grow professionally, while also getting to experience Slovenia, its language and culture. The aim is to strengthen research and study exchange between Slovenia and other countries and help those who have an interest in Slovenian culture and want to realize their potential to the fullest. The deadline for submitting all application materials is February 1, 2020.

About the Fellowship

The ASEF Junior Fellows Program to Slovenia is a one-year program, which enables students to do a 10-week work/research visit at a university, company, or a research institute in the area of their field of study/expertise. Additionally, during the visit, Junior Fellows engage in activities organized by ASEF Society of Fellows, including research projects and collaborations with other Fellows, participation at the events organized by ASEF, leadership, and career development workshops, and attend regular public lectures and other events organized by ASEF. Further, Junior Fellows are expected to contribute to the Society and give back to the community under the guidance and mentorship of ASEF.

During the fellowship program:

Junior Fellows will work with Slovenian professors, mentors at the Slovenian’s top companies and universities on a research project and interact with other members of the professor’s research group as well as other students at the university or company. At the same time, the student will also interact with the Slovenians and Slovenian communities.

After the fellowship program:

Junior Fellows are encouraged to continue their research work with their host professor or mentor and form collaborations with other Junior Fellows. Additionally, Junior Fellows to Slovenia are encouraged to spread the word about ASEF in their local Slovenian communities, universities and build longlasting relationships with Slovenian companies.

Eligibility

Applications are open to full-time students, enrolled in an accredited higher education institution. Knowledge of the Slovenian language and of Slovenia is recommended but not necessary. A typical applicant is a full-time senior undergraduate, masters, or Ph.D. student from the USA, Canada, Argentina or any other country.

Costs

ASEF will work with the Junior Fellow to obtain funding so that all expenses of research visit (airfare, food, lodging, etc.) will be covered. The ASEF fellowship provides funding (travel, housing, and living expenses) for a 10-week summer visit to a Slovenian university, research institution or a company in the area of applicant’s field of study/expertise. ASEF will work with the applicant to identify a suitable mentor at an appropriate institution. There is no target start date for the visit (except that the exchange has to be fully finished in the year 2020) — the exact target date will be decided between the fellow and her/his mentor.

Selection Criteria

Applicants are selected based on exceptional ability, originality, and resourcefulness, and should be of the highest caliber of intellectual achievement. Applicants will perform an interview with the prior year’s ASEF Fellows and potential ASEF Professors and Mentors. ASEF Professors and Mentors will review the research plan, mission statement, and recommendation letters presented in each application. Finally, ASEF Scientific Advisory Committee will also give weight to the many intangibles involved, including interpretation of the Foundation’s objectives. The Committee ranks the candidates and the Board of Directors then provides final approval.

Participating

Institutions in Slovenia The list of current mentors and professors can be accessed via this link. Each year we add professors and mentors of applicant’s field of expertise. This basically means that we will find a suitable mentor for any applicant who will be chosen. The fellowship provides funding for a 10-week summer exchange to the following institutions:

• University of Ljubljana
• University of Maribor
• University of Primorska
• University of Nova Gorica
• Institute Jožef Stefan
• Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SAZU)
• Institute ASEF
• Central Bank of Slovenia
• Karst Research Institute
• Various companies in tech, medical, and biochemistry sectors
• Music opportunities at various orchestra

Areas of Study, Research, and Work

• Architecture
• Business
• Communications and Marketing
• Chemistry and Biochemistry
• Computer Science
• Earth Sciences
• English
• Economics and Finance
• Electrical Engineering
• Karst studies
• Linguistics and Slovenistics
• Mathematics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Medicine
• Music
• Physics
• Political Science
• Social Sciences, including History
• Theology

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until all the fellowships are awarded. The deadline for submitt ing the application is February 1, 2020. If you have questions about the program or the application process, please contact ASEF at info@asef.net.