About
Spring 2018 Ambassador’s Distinguished Scholars with Ambassador Raynor and representatives from University of Gondar and Bahir Dar University.
The Ambassador’s Distinguished Scholars Program (ADSP) was established in the fall of 2017 by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia, Addis Ababa (PAS), the Institute of International Education (IIE) and two of the Ethiopia’s leading universities, Gondar and Bahir Dar Universities partnered to work together.
Over the following years, ADSP has expanded to work with Mekelle and Dilla Universities. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak and the conflict in northern Ethiopia, the program was interrupted for two years. We are pleased to have resumed the ADSP in academic year 2022-23.
For the academic year 2023-24 ADSP has partnered to work with seven Ethiopian host universities: Click on the links for the detailed information on the host Institutions.
PAS and IIE work closely together on the recruitment of the scholars as well as promotion and monitoring of the ADSP, while the university partners manage hosting the scholars on their campuses.
This program is made possible through substantial financial support from the U.S. Embassy covering:
- Scholars’ monthly salary (based on the normal stipend provided to foreign scholars working at Ethiopian universities),
- Medical insurance,
- Document authentication, and
- Visa fees and vaccinations.
Host universities are required to provide support and cost sharing, the details of which can be found on the Program Benefits page.
Why?
The Government of Ethiopia, seeking to grow the economy and address development challenges, has prioritized expanding higher education.
- Ethiopia has rapidly increased from two universities to 45 since 2000, with 11 more scheduled to open in the next five years.
- The increased demand for qualified academics has outpaced local supply, and currently less than 50% of university faculty hold master’s degrees, and less than 10% have PhDs.
As a result, Ethiopian universities are eager to attract foreign faculty, American scholars in particular. The Ambassador’s Distinguished Scholars will create a critical foundation for Ethiopia’s development by strengthening the leading Ethiopian universities’ capacity to teach and manage undergraduate and graduate programs, and enhancing research capacity within Ethiopian universities. They may also provide opportunities for long‐term collaboration between U.S. and Ethiopian universities and scholars.
Who Are We Looking For?
We seek applications from a diverse range of qualified academics. We welcome applications from scholars with a range of experience, from recent doctoral graduates to professors emeriti. Preference will be given to Scholars who have current U.S. university affiliations.
Faculty positions are available in over 60 disciplines. Preferred fields of study include Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Humanities. (Details of each host university priority areas are forwarded on the links of the universities)
There is a preference for candidates with academic expertise that matches with the areas of specialization desired by the host institutions.
Application Timeline
The Ambassador’s Distinguished Scholars Program in Ethiopia is not currently accepting applications. If that changes, this page will be updated with the relevant application timeline.