Jan 21

Scholarship & Grant Opportunities (Aurora Foundation)

Academic Comments Off on Scholarship & Grant Opportunities (Aurora Foundation)

via JETEAA Chicago. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika currently works as an in-house translator for PFU (a Fujitsu company) in Kahoku-shi, Ishikawa-ken. She is also the vocalist for the Japanese hardcore punk band DEGRADE.

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1. Aurora Japanese Language Scholarship
2. Aurora Challenge Grant

Japanese Language Scholarship Foundation, aka Aurora Foundation, is currently accepting applications for the year 2011 scholarship and Aurora Challenge Grant. The application forms can be downloaded at www.jlsf-aurora.org. For more details on the scholarship and grant, click “Read More”.

1. AURORA JAPANESE LANGUAGE SCHOLARSHIP

JLSF was established in 1998 to encourage teachers of the Japanese language as well as to generate international cultural exchange. These awards will enable the awardees to carry out a project of their choice in Japan. Each awardee will receive a $3,000 scholarship and roundtrip air tickets from the USA to Japan (coach class). The project can be anything that would enhance the quality of the awardee’s teaching. Applicants are encouraged to propose any projects they would like to carry out but are currently unable to because of the lack of funding. Types of projects awardees may choose are unlimited! For example, projects may include:

  • Studying Japanese at a pre-existing program, such as the Japan Foundation Japanese-Language Institute, or the Hokkaido International Foundation
  • Traveling around the country to gather authentic materials for teaching purposes, including taking photographs and making films
  • Visiting a school(s) in Japan to learn more about their education system
  • Volunteering at Japanese non-profit organizations to learn differences and similarities in how different cultures operate in a working environment
  • Experiencing Japanese New Year’s with a host family and write up the experience on a web page

    • After their Japan trip, scholarship awardees will be required to submit reports to the JLSF about their experiences in Japan. Each awardee will also have the (optional) opportunity to attend the annual ATJ Conference to address the conference about their scholarship experience in Japan.

    Qualifications:

  • Non-native Japanese speaker/ non-heritage Japanese speaker

    • AND

  • In-Service Japanese language teacher in any school level OR
  • Pre-service Japanese language teacher currently studying to obtain a teaching credential for teaching Japanese.

    • Must be available for an oral interview in person or by phone.
    Must be able to attend the award ceremony to be held in the Autumn of 2011 in Los Angeles (date to be announced). (Limited travel expenses and accomodations may be covered by JLSF as needed.)

    Required Applications Documents:

  • Completed application form
  • Current resume/biography
  • Official college transcript sent directly from the college to the JLSF
  • Photograph of applicant (optional)
  • Two letters of reference.

    • A typed letter no longer than 3 pages on 8-1/2″ X 11″ (double-spaced, font size 10pt or 12pt) that describes the potential scholarship recipient and proposed project. The letter should include the applicant’s background, goals, current activities, commitment to Japanese language education, a detaile description of their proposed activity in Japan, and a proposed budget (excluding airfare between the U.S. and Japan).

    Deadline and Submission
    All applications must be mailed on or before January 21, 2011 to:
    JLSF Scholarship Application Submission
    3127 Nichols Canyon Road
    Los Angeles, CA 90046

    Judging Criteria:

  • Long term commitment to Japanese language education
  • Teaching experience and training background, i.e. methodology courses, workshops, seminars, and conference participation
  • Usefulness and appropriateness of the project
  • Design and feasibility of the project within the budget
  • Applicability of the project results to teaching

    • Up to two winners will be selected, depending on application volume and quality of applications, from anywhere in the USA. Selection will be announced by February 28, 2011
    Entries, including photographs, will not be critiqued or returned. From the time of submission, all entries are the property of the JLSF.

    2. AURORA CHALLENGE GRANT

    The grant will be awarded to a citizen of the USA who resides in California and has a unique dream, in any field or endeavor, which is related to Japanese culture and which it would never be possible to realize without traveling to Japan between fall 2011 and summer 2012. There is no age limit and no GPA/Scholastic achievement requirement. The award will go to an individual with a creative dream or challenge that, if fulfilled, would contribute to global goodwill and intercultural appreciation.

    The winner will receive a $3000 scholarship and roundtrip air tickets from the USA to Japan (economy class). The recipient can travel anytime (for any duration) between fall 2011 and summer 2012. By awarding this grant, the Aurora Foundation hopes to help the winner enhance the pursuit of her or his truest, most heartfelt dream by providing the opportunity for a once in a lifetime experience.

    All applicants must be citizens of the USA. Selection criteria will include the commitment of the applicants to their dream projects, necessity of Aurora’s support, and positive future potential. After the Japan trip, the grant awardee will be required to submit a report to the Aurora Foundation about the experience in Japan and progress of the project.

    Aurora Challenge Grant Qualifications:

  • Applicant must be a citizen of the USA residing in California
  • Must have a unique and voluntary dream or challenge which requires travel to Japan between fall 2011 and summer 2012
  • Must be available for an interview in person or by phone
  • Must be able to attend the award ceremony to be held in Los Angeles in Fall 2011 (date TBD). (Travel expenses and accomodations will be covered by JLSF as needed.)

    • Aurora Challege Grant Required Application Documents:

  • Completed application form
  • Current resume/biography
  • Materials supporting the applicant’s project or concept, if applicable (such as photographs, video, visual aids, etc.)
  • Photograph of the applicant (optional)
  • Two letters of reference.

    • A typed letter no longer than 3 pages on 8″ X 11″ (double spaced, font size 12pt) that describes the potential scholarship recipient and the project. The letter should include the applicant’s background, goals, current activities, and a detailed description of the proposed activity in Japan and a proposed budget (excluding airfare between the USA and Japan).

    Deadline and Submission:
    All applications for the Aurora Challenge Grant must be submitted by May 31, 2011 to
    Aurora Challenge Grant Application
    3127 Nichols Canyon Road
    Los Angeles, CA 90046

    One winner will be from California and selection will be announced by June 20, 2011.
    Entries, including photographs, will not be critiqued or returned. From the time of submission, all entries are the property of the JLSf.

    Judging Criteria:

  • Firm commitment to his/her dream project and to some facet of Japanese culture.
  • Necessity of Aurora Foundation’s support.
  • Experience and background pertinent to the applicant’s dream project.
  • Future potential to enhance

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