Deadline: 14-Aug-23
The U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan announces an open competition for U.S. and Kazakh organizations to submit applications for a program to improve research and academic writing capacity at Kazakh Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
The program will support the creation and development of academic writing and scientific research centers at Kazakh HEIs to improve university students’ and faculty members’ English language academic writing and publication quality. This will pave the way for greater participation in the global academic community and scientific economy.
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education is prioritizing university research and development, requiring university faculty to publish their research in international peer-reviewed journals. However, many Kazakh universities have requested support in further developing their research capacity to produce high quality research articles that are more likely to be published in international journals. Workshops offered in recent years as part of the U.S. Mission-funded University Partnerships Program and Central Asia regional UniCEN program also indicate that there is high demand for training on research methodology, academic writing, and the publication process, particularly in STEM fields.
Many qualified researchers lack the English language skills to publish their research in international journals. This skills gap may include basic writing skills, but more commonly reflects a challenge with presenting their research processes, outcomes, and conclusions clearly. While there is a peer review process in place, many of the senior faculty are less experienced in the international publishing process and standards. Unlike in the United States, Kazakh researchers have few additional resources to rely on when their research is rejected.
To address this issue, the U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan proposes to offer targeted English language support to Kazakh HEIs through the creation of academic writing centers. Through mentoring and skills transfer, the program will create a vehicle for Kazakh HEIs to adopt improved research publication practices based on U.S. models.
Goal
- Improve the research publication practices of four Kazakh public universities by creating academic writing and scientific research centers based on U.S. Universities current and best practices.
Objectives
- Objective 1: Establish four financially self-sustaining academic writing centers in Kazakh public universities
- Objective 2: Increase understanding of Kazakh university faculty on current and best US research university practices essential to conducting quality research.
- Objective 3: Improve academic writing standards and practices of newly created Kazakh public university writing centers through mentorship from US university academic writing centers.
Funding Information
- Length of performance period: October 2023 – August 2025
- Number of awards anticipated: 1
- Total available funding: $155,000
- Anticipated program start date: October 2023
Project Implementation Timeline
- During the first year of the program, the recipient will be responsible for implementing the following activities:
- Phase I (September 2023)
- Communicating with partner universities and their representatives/coordinators of the project on the project and its goals.
- Advertising, interviewing, and recruiting eligible university staff to participate in training by American experts, selecting/recruiting, and forming a group of university representatives (at least two from each university), and implementing partner representatives.
- Organizing online kickoff meeting in September 2023 involving all participants-facilitators and partner organization representatives, guidance/curriculum planning meetings/consultations between the English Language Specialist(s) and local staff members.
- Phase II (September 2023 – December 2023)
- Facilitating online training with American experts on the development of guidance.
- Assisting in the needs analysis conducted by the EL Specialist virtually (September 2023).
- Monitoring participation in the needs analysis, attendance of participants, monitoring of the participants’ activities and following up on comments/recommendations of the Specialist on the organization of the process (if required).
- Facilitating payment to the staff members (facilitators) for their services (during Phase II). Facilitators should be paid at the commensurate level in Kazakhstan.
- Phase III (December 2023 – April 2024)
- Recruiting/selecting groups of students and faculty members to the writing centers following the guidance provided by the EL Specialist and start working with the groups with assistance from the university representatives.
- Assisting in locating free of cost academic writing centers at universities equipped with desks and chairs, 3-5 computers (in coordination with the universities administration).
- Purchasing equipment recommended by EL Specialist and approved by the U.S. Mission using award funds.
- Partner organization’s in-person monitoring of the activities at the centers, completing site visits in coordination with the U.S. Embassy representatives.
- Inviting the EL Specialist (in February – March) to check the implementation of the project.
- Issuing certificates of completion to all successful facilitators.
- Phase IV (September 2024 – October 2024)
- Recruit mentors from academic writing centers at U.S. universities to share best practices through innovative activities which could include both online and/or offline activities.
- Phase V (October 2024 – November 2024)
- Work with a Fulbright Specialist to design courses/programs focusing on research methodology and the publication process that will be offered at the academic writing centers.
- A final event should be held in Astana to conclude the program and to launch an academic writing working group to continue to build on the program’s successes and best practices.
- Phase I (September 2023)
Project Audience(s)
- Universities in Kazakhstan and U.S. universities, especially research universities. Beneficiaries can be students, faculty researchers, graduate, and PhD students, including those in STEM fields. Competitive proposals would work with partner institutions to establish sustainable academic writing centers, with buy-in from staff and university management to provide space and equipment for the center and continue its work beyond the length of the program.
Eligibility Criteria
- The following organizations are eligible to apply:
- U.S. or Kazakhstan-based organizations
- Civil society/non-governmental organizations
- Think tanks
- Public and private educational institutions
For more information, visit Grants.gov.