نظرة عامة على البرنامج

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Introduction to the Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship Fund (SYLFF)

The Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship Fund (SYLFF) is a scholarship program provided by the Tokyo Foundation (TKFD) aimed at supporting outstanding students with leadership potential.

Basic Selection Criteria

To be eligible for the SYLFF scholarship, applicants must meet the following basic criteria:

• Be a student in the first three years of a doctoral program in social sciences or humanities at one of the participating faculties of Charles University (FF, FSV, FHS, PF, PedF, HTF, ETF, KTF).
• Be enrolled at Charles University for the entire duration of the scholarship.

Evaluation Criteria

In the selection process, the following qualities are evaluated:

• Contribution of the research to society (0-30 points)
• Leadership potential (0-30 points)
• Previous academic activities (0-20 points)
• Meaningfulness of foreign stay (0-20 points)
• Presentation of the dissertation project (evaluated only in the rector's round, 0-30 points)

Conditions for Awarding the Scholarship

• A total of 2 new scholarships are awarded annually.
• The scholarship is awarded for one year and can be extended for another year based on fulfillment of the study plan.
• The scholarship amount is $12,500 per year.
• If a student is receiving or plans to apply for another scholarship/grant simultaneously with the SYLFF scholarship, this must be disclosed along with the amount and purpose in the application.
• During the scholarship period, the student must:
  • Complete the dissertation or a substantial part of it.
  • Realize a foreign stay.
• The scholarship is not intended for students studying beyond the standard study period.
• The supported student is obliged to mention in their work that it was created with the support of the SYLFF scholarship.

Procedure for Nominating and Selecting Candidates

• Announcement of the Call: The Vice-Rector for International Relations and Mobility at Charles University announces the call on the participating faculties.
• Faculty Selection Procedure: Faculties announce the selection procedure on their websites and other available media.
• Application by Candidates: The candidate fills out the application, ensures all supporting documents, and submits everything to the foreign department of their faculty by the deadline set by the faculty.
• Submission of Documents to OZV RUK: The faculty nominates up to 2 best candidates who have successfully passed the faculty selection procedure, along with all their documents, to the OZV RUK by the deadline.
• Meeting of the SYLFF Commission: The 9-member University Commission, composed of the Vice-Rector for International Relations and Mobility and 8 representatives of the participating faculties, meets to evaluate candidates and determine the winners.

Application Form and Documents

The application must be submitted in English in PDF format and include:

• Application form for the SYLFF scholarship
• CV (max. 2 pages A4)
• Motivation letter (max. 1.5 pages A4)
• Letter of recommendation

Timeline

• By February 15: OZV RUK announces the selection procedure on the faculties.
• By April 30: Candidates submit their applications to the faculty coordinator (followed by the faculty selection procedure).
• By May 31: The faculty nominates candidates to OZV RUK.
• By June 30: The rector's selection procedure takes place: meeting of the SYLFF Commission (interviews with the best candidates, determination of winners).
• By July 13: OZV RUK submits the results of the selection procedure to the faculties, nominating the winning candidates to TKFD.
• By July 21: The faculty coordinator informs all candidates about the results.
• By August 31: TKFD approves and signs individual contracts with the scholarship holders (winning candidates).

Composition of the University Commission

• Chair: Prof. PhDr. Eva Voldichová Beránková, Ph.D., Vice-Rector for International Relations
• Members:
  • PhDr. Milan onca, Ph.D. (Faculty of Philosophy)
  • doc. JUDr. Mgr. Magdalena Pfeiffer, Ph.D. (Faculty of Law)
  • PhDr. Zuzana Kasáková, Ph.D. (Faculty of Social Sciences)
  • doc. Veronika apská, Ph.D. (Faculty of Humanities)
  • doc. PhDr. Martin Rusek, Ph.D. (Faculty of Education)
  • doc. ThDr. Kamila Veverková, Ph.D. (Husite Theological Faculty)
  • prof. ThDr. Martin Prudký (Evangelical Theological Faculty)
  • PhDr. Markéta Jaroová, Ph.D. (Catholic Theological Faculty)

Evaluation of Results

• Before the end of the first year: The university commission evaluates the achieved results of the scholarship holder through an interview and confirms the continuation of their scholarship for the next year.
• At the end of the 2-year period: The university commission evaluates the results and the student presents their final theses with a list of publications and other outputs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Visit the FAQ section for more information.

SYLFF Fellows

SYLFF Fellows 2025

• Zuzana Arazim Dolejí, Faculty of Education: Focuses on developing critical thinking in math education.
• Barbora Dolealová, Faculty of Social Sciences: Engages in sociology of work, gender, and sexuality, currently working on a participatory action research project about sex work in the Czech Republic.

SYLFF Fellows 2024

• Tomá Koref, Faculty of Law: Examines judicial decision-making and legal argumentation.
• Jan Musil, Faculty of Philosophy: Studies thanatography, the autobiographical narration of death, loss, and mourning.

SYLFF Fellows 2023

• Michal Gladi, Faculty of Humanities: Explores ethics and human values in technologies, biometrics extended by affective computing capabilities, and the impact of AI on human cognition, emotions, and behavior.
• Filip Jelínek, Faculty of Law: Interested in public law and constitutional theory, currently working on the problem of state inaction and its legal grasp.

SYLFF Fellows 2022

• Michaela Honlová, Faculty of Humanities: Sociological approach to anti-aging aesthetic surgery in the Czech context.
• Jana Soukupová, Faculty of Law: Focuses on IT law with an emphasis on data, virtual reality, and digital assets.

SYLFF Fellows 2021

• Ivana Hay, Faculty of Education: Concerned with the education of deaf children in the area of art education.
• Luká Lev ervinka, Faculty of Law: Interests include socio-legal studies of institutions and (anti-)establishment thinking.

Current Information about the Program

Follow the SYLFF Facebook page at Charles University for updates.

Contact Person

Ing. Anna Tlamichová Department of International Relations (OZV RUK) [Email Address]