[Indic-computing-users] Google Policy Fellowship Programme: Call for Applications

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Dear indic-computing-users, 

	 The Centre for Internet & Society (CIS) is inviting applications for
the Google Policy Fellowship programme. Google is providing a USD
7,500 stipend to the India Fellow, who will be selected by August 15,
2012.  

	 The Google Policy Fellowship [1] offers successful candidates an
opportunity to develop research and debate on the fellowship focus
areas, which include Access to Knowledge, Openness in India, Freedom
of Expression, Privacy, and Telecom, for a period of about ten weeks
starting from August 2012 upto October 2012. CIS will select the India
Fellow. Send in your applications for the position by June 27, 2012. 

	 To apply, please send to goo...@ci... [2] the
following materials: 

 	* STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: A brief write-up outlining about your
interest and qualifications for the programme including the relevant
academic, professional and extracurricular experiences. As part of the
write-up, also explain on what you hope to gain from participation in
the programme and what research work concerning free expression online
you would like to further through this programme. (About 1200 words
max).
 	* RESUME
 	* THREE REFERENCES

	 FELLOWSHIP FOCUS AREAS 

 	* ACCESS TO KNOWLEDGE: Studies looking at access to knowledge issues
in India in light of copyright law, consumers law, parallel imports
and the interplay between pervasive technologies and intellectual
property rights, targeted at policymakers, Members of Parliament,
publishers, photographers, filmmakers, etc.
 	* OPENNESS IN INDIA: Studies with policy recommendations on open
access to scholarly literature, free access to law, open content, open
standards, free and open source software, aimed at policymakers,
policy researchers, academics and the general public. 
 	* FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION: Studies on policy, regulatory and
legislative issues concerning censorship and freedom of speech and
expression online, aimed at bloggers, journalists, authors and the
general public.
 	* PRIVACY: Studies on privacy issues like data protection and the
right to information, limits to privacy in light of the provisions of
the constitution, media norms and privacy, banking and financial
privacy, workplace privacy, privacy and wire-tapping, e-governance and
privacy, medical privacy, consumer privacy, etc., aimed at
policymakers and the public.
 	* TELECOM: Building awareness and capacity on telecommunication
policy in India for researchers and academicians, policymakers and
regulators, consumer and civil society organisations, education and
library institutions and lay persons through the creation of a
dedicated web based resource focusing on knowledge dissemination.

	 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

	* What is the Google Policy Fellowship program?
 The Google Policy Fellowship program offers students interested in
Internet and technology related policy issues with an opportunity to
spend their summer working on these issues at the Centre for Internet
and Society at Bangalore. Students will work for a period of ten weeks
starting from July 2012. The research agenda for the program is based
on legal and policy frameworks in the region connected to the
ground-level perceptions of the fellowship focus areas mentioned
above. 
	* I am an International student can I apply and participate in the
program? Are there any age restrictions on participating?
 Yes. You must be 18 years of age or older by January 1, 2012 to be
eligible to participate in Google Policy Fellowship program in 2012. 
	* Are there citizenship requirements for the Fellowship?
 For the time being, we are only accepting students eligible to work
in India (e.g. Indian citizens, permanent residents of India, and
individuals presently holding an Indian student visa. Google cannot
provide guidance or assistance on obtaining the necessary
documentation to meet the criteria. 
	* Who is eligible to participate as a student in Google Policy
Fellowship program?
 In order to participate in the program, you must be a student. Google
defines a student as an individual enrolled in or accepted into an
accredited institution including (but not necessarily limited to)
colleges, universities, masters programs, PhD programs and
undergraduate programs. Eligibility is based on enrollment in an
accredited university by January 1, 2012. 
	* I am an International student can I apply and participate in the
program?
 In order to participate in the program, you must be a student (see
Google's definition of a student above). You must also be eligible
to work in India (see section on citizen requirements for fellowship
above). Google cannot provide guidance or assistance on obtaining the
necessary documentation to meet this criterion. 
	* I have been accepted into an accredited post-secondary school
program, but have not yet begun attending. Can I still take part in
the program?
 As long as you are enrolled in a college or university program as of
January 1, 2012, you are eligible to participate in the program. 
	* I graduate in the middle of the program. Can I still participate?
 As long as you are enrolled in a college or university program as of
January 1, 2012, you are eligible to participate in the program. 

	 PAYMENTS, FORMS, AND OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE STUFF 

	 How do payments work?* 

	 Google will provide a stipend of USD 7,500 equivalent to each Fellow
for the summer. 

 	* Accepted students in good standing with their host organization
will receive a USD 2,500 stipend payable shortly after they begin the
Fellowship in August 2012.
 	* Students who receive passing mid-term evaluations by their host
organization will receive a USD 1,500 stipend shortly after the
mid-term evaluation in September 2012.
 	* Students who receive passing final evaluations by their host
organization and who have submitted their final program evaluations
will receive a USD 3,500 stipend shortly after final evaluations in
October 2012.

	 Please note: _Payments will be made by electronic bank transfer, and
are contingent upon satisfactory evaluations by the host organization,
completion of all required enrollment and other forms. Fellows are
responsible for payment of any taxes associated with their receipt of
the Fellowship stipend_. 

	 *While the three step payment structure given here corresponds to
the one in the United States, disbursement of the amount may be
altered as felt necessary. 

	 What documentation is required from students? 

	 Students should be prepared, upon request, to provide Google or the
host organization with transcripts from their accredited institution
as proof of enrollment or admission status. Transcripts do not need to
be official (photo copy of original will be sufficient). 

	 I would like to use the work I did for my Google Policy Fellowship
to obtain course credit from my university. Is this acceptable? 

	 Yes. If you need documentation from Google to provide to your school
for course credit, you can contact Google. We will not provide
documentation until we have received a final evaluation from your
mentoring organization. 

	 HOST ORGANIZATIONS 

	 What is Google's relationship with the Centre for Internet and
Society? 

	 Google provides the funding and administrative support for
individual fellows directly. Google and the Centre for Internet and
Society are not partners or affiliates. The Centre for Internet and
Society does not represent the views or opinions of Google and cannot
bind Google legally. 

	 IMPORTANT DATES 

	 What is the program timeline? 

	 June 27, 2012   

	 Student Application Deadline. Applications must be received by
midnight.  

	 July 18, 2012   

	 Student applicants are notified of the status of their applications.

	 August 2012   

	 Students begin their fellowship with the host organization (start
date to be determined by students and the host organization); Google
issues initial student stipends.  

	 September 2012   

	 Mid-term evaluations; Google issues mid-term stipends.  

	 October 2012   

	 Final evaluations; Google issues final stipends.  

	 Thank you
 Prasad Krishna
 Publication Manager
 Centre for Internet & Society

Links:
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[1] http://crm.cis-india.org/administrator/components/com_civicrm/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=1846&qid=196092
[2] mailto:goo...@ci...
[3] http://default/http://crm.cis-india.org/index.php?option=com_civicrm&task=civicrm/mailing/optout&reset=1&jid=410&qid=196092&h=6fe9bb04a6017643