$10K available for Latvian students to study in U.S.

RIGA - An annual fellowship of $10,000 has been established in memory of Dr. Mudite I. Zilite Saltups from a bequest left by her and administered by the Association for the Advancement of Baltic Studies, Inc.. Under the terms of the will, fellowships will be awarded to Latvian students for furthering their studies in the United States. The will requires recipients to be citizens of the Republic of Latvia, speak Latvian, and have their permanent residence in Latvia. Full details may be obtained at the AABS Office.

For the academic year 2001/2002, two fellowships of $10,000 each will be awarded. There will be only one fellowship in subsequent years.

By accepting a $10,000 Saltups Fellowship, the recipient will enter into a binding contract with the AABS to return to Latvia upon completion of studies in the United States.

The following guidelines apply:

[1] Deadline for the receipt of applications is Sept.30, at the AABS Baltic Office, Baltic Academic Center, University of Latvia, 19 Raina Boulevard, room 241, LV-1586 Riga, Latvia.

[2] Applicants must submit proof of citizenship, permanent residence, and current enrollment in or graduation within the last two years from a higher educational institution in Latvia. Preference will be given to students who a. have completed their studies for their bachelor's degree, and b. are studying in the field of humanities or social sciences.

[3] The applications will be reviewed by a committee appointed by the academic executive director of AABS in consultation and with the approval of the president of AABS. The finalists will be interviewed in Latvian and English. After a full review, the committee will select the successful candidate(s), but the grants will be conditional upon acceptance of the students for full-time study at an accredited college or university in the United States for the full academic year 2001/2002. The AABS must receive official confirmation of acceptance before the fellowship awards are announced, which can be expected by early spring of 2001.

The fellowship may be supplemented by other sources.

For more information, call Edgars Kariks 7 220669.