FAQs

The strong preference of READ is that a Diaspora Fellow visits Albania in one or two visits.  The overall project length should be a  minimum of 1 month (including virtual collaboration) and a maximum of 6 months (including virtual collaboration).  The minimum length of an in-person visit is preferred to be at least 14 days.

Further, Diaspora Fellows planning multiple visits to Albania should be aware that READ budgets a fixed amount per fellow selected: $500 USD for Fellows traveling to Albania from within Europe, and $1,500 USD for those traveling from outside Europe. Fellows total reimbursement will be in the actual amount paid, up to the applicable limit, even if multiple flights are purchased.

A Resident Scholar may submit a project that requests a maximum of two Diaspora Scholars.  There should be a strong rationale as to why both Diaspora Scholars are needed to achieve the project’s objectives.  Further, while the maximum length of a project requesting one Diaspora Scholar is 6 months, if two Diaspora Scholars are requested, the maximum length of the project is 3 months. 

In the third year of READ, the following Albanian higher education institutions are eligible to host READ Diaspora Fellows:

• Aleksander Moisiu University, Durrës
• Aleksandër Xhuvani University, Elbasan
• Epoka University
• Eqrem Çabej University, Gjirokastër
• European University of Tirana
• Fan S. Noli University, Korça
• Ismail Qemali University of Vlorë
• Luigj Gurakuqi University, Shkodër
• Marin Barleti University
• POLIS University
• Polytechnic University of Tirana
• Sports University of Tirana
• University of Agriculture of Tirana
• University of Medicine
• University of New York Tirana
• University of Tirana

No, there is no limit to the number of projects from a university or department.

Resident Scholars can submit multiple projects, but a Diaspora Scholar can only be matched to one project per competition cycle. Note that Resident Scholars cannot submit multiple projects for the same Diaspora Scholar, and that multiple projects may require the Resident Scholar to register under different email addresses.

Yes, if the administrator you normally report to is unavailable or if the position is vacant, a recommendation letter will be accepted from an interim administrator. 

Yes, once you have started a project, you can review the roster of qualified scholars. You can search fellows by field of study and review scholar applications. If you identify a potential match, please contact READ@iie.org with their name(s). We recommend that you complete as much of your project as possible so we can share it with the potential match. You can also identify more than one scholar and rank them by preference.

Once you have started a project, using the tabs on the left-hand side of the screen, scroll down and select the tab, “Diaspora Scholar Selection.” You will be able to search for the scholar by name and complete the matching process.

Yes, you can submit the name of a Diaspora Scholar in your project before they have completed an application, but the scholar must submit their application before the application cycle deadline. Please contact the Diaspora Scholar with information about READ, or send an email to –READ@iie.org and READ Program Staff will send the information.

In many cases, READ anticipates that Diaspora Scholars are in contact with colleagues at higher education institutions in Albania and will collaborate on the project details submitted by the Albanian Resident Scholar. READ encourages this kind of cooperation, although it does not increase the likelihood of selection in comparison to projects without such prior cooperation.

Albanian citizens, those born in Albania and the children of an Albanian citizen are eligible to apply as Albanian Diaspora Scholars. In most cases, a passport showing place of birth or other document displaying citizenship will suffice; in other cases, READ will take a broad view of acceptable documentation. Please email READ@iie.org to inquire as to specific cases and qualifying documentation.

Yes, if you changed institutions in the past 12 months, a letter from a colleague at a previous institution is acceptable. However as institutional support is a component of the Review Criteria, obtaining a letter from a current colleague is preferred.

No. As long as the applicant meets the other eligibility requirements, holding citizenship in a country other than Albania is not a factor.