Section 1: About SYLFF-JU

• What is SYLFF?
  SYLFF is a fellowship programme funded by the Nippon Foundation, a Japanese non-profit foundation administered by Tokyo Foundation under the approval of Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. It provides financial support and opportunities to the best and bright students worldwide intending to pursue higher education programmes and research in the social sciences and humanities, while exhibiting leadership potential.
   
• How long has SYLFF been functioning?
  The programme started in 1987. There are 69 SYLFF-endowed universities and consortia in 44 countries of Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Europe and Middle East, North America and the Pacific. There are now more than 12,000 fellows worldwide. Jadavpur University was the first Indian University to earn the SYLFF status.
   
• What are the objectives of the SYLFF programme?
  The objective is to support education of students enrolled in the M.A., MPhil, and those intending to join the PhD programmes in the Faculty of Arts at JU. They are awarded to students who show potential for leadership, and can ask interesting research questions that aim at positive social and cultural impact.
  It hopes to strengthen research to help the process of policy formulation and broader social and cultural initiatives; to understand issues or problems relevant to contemporary Indian society by viewing human life, change and development in a total context of economic, socio-political, tradition and cultural perspectives; and to encourage multi and inter-disciplinary study.
   
• What are themes that are covered by SYLFF?
  The themes include tradition, social change and sustainable development, adopting a holistic approach that is any issue or problem relevant to contemporary Indian society.
   
• What are the advantages of being part of the SYLFF family?
  Recipients become part of the global partnership programme through SYLFF Plus Programme. It consists of SYLFF Research Abroad, SYLFF Prize, and SYLFF Website & SYLFF Connect Version 2. SRA supports academic research of SYLFF fellows related to doctoral dissertation, conducted as a non-degree student at any institution of higher learning in a foreign country.
  The SYLFF Prize recognizes and supports fellows who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and commitment to society.
  The SYLFF website and SYLFF Connect Version 2 are designed to encourage communication within the SYLFF community and beyond.
   

Section 2: Application
 

• Who can apply?
  Applicants must have Master's or higher degree from any faculty or interdisciplinary school of any university in any country. The applicant must propose to register at Jadavpur University under the Faculty of Arts. The applicant must have cleared the PhD admission test/interview for the department or school suitable to the proposed area of research under the Faculty of Arts, Jadavpur University.
   

• When and how can I pick up the form?
  Application forms will be available on payment of cash of Rs. 200/- between August 9, 2018 and September 14, 2018 from the Information Office, JU.
  Downloadable forms may be accessed from http://www.jaduniv.edu.in, or www.jusylffprogram.org.in which can be completed and submitted accompanied by DD of Rs. 200/-. Demand drafts need to be drawn in favour of "JU-SYLFF-ADMIN", payable at Kolkata.
   

• When is the last date for submission of the forms?
  By 28^th November, 2018, completed application form must be sent to Prof Shibasis Chatterjee, SYLFF Project Director at one of the following locations:
  1) Ground Floor (adjacent to Dean's office), UG Arts, Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700032.
  2) 1st Floor, SYLFF Office, Biren Roy Research Laboratory (adjacent to JU Press), Jadavpur University, Kolkata- 700032.
   

• How do we apply?
  That is what the pre-application orientation is for. It will help you understand what makes for a good research proposal and offer guidance on how to formulate one. More information is available on the website.
   

• Is there an interview?
  Yes. A shortlist of selected candidates will be published early 2019. The interview is held some time in February or March. The date will be announced soon.
   

• When do we get to know the final result?
  By April 2019.
   

• When does the fellowship start?
  The period of fellowship starts in July/August 2019.