Subject: This Month in Mongolian Studies: November 27, 2024

A black symbol with the letters “ACMS“ in the middle is to the left of the words “American Center for Mongolian Studies: Bridging Cultures, Supporting Scholars“ in black text.

November 27, 2024

What's New at ACMS?

2025 ACMS Fellowship Applications are Open!

Apply by February 15, 2025 to be considered for this funding, which supports US citizens interested in conducting independent research projects, participating in our Intensive Summer Language Program and executing library and information science-related projects and programs in Mongolia during the summer of 2025. All fellowship programs are competitive and open to students, recent graduates, faculty members, post-docs, and independent scholars who are citizens of the United States. For more information, visit Fellowships and Programs or contact info@mongoliacenter.org. We look forward to receiving your application!

A graphic with the text “ACMS 2025 Fellowships: Library Fellowship Program, Field Research Fellowship Program, and Intensive Summer Language Program. Apply by February 15, 2025. www.mongoliacenter.org“ In the background, a landscape of snowcapped mountains.

The Library Fellowship awards one to two fellowships of up to $4,000 to fund the travel and living expenses of advanced US graduate students, faculty members, or professionals in library and information sciences from colleges and universities to conduct short-term library development projects and/or research in Mongolia for a period of up to 12 weeks between May and October, 2025.

A graphic with the text “ACMS Library Fellowship Program, May - October 2025. Apply by February 15, 2025. www.mongoliacenter.org.“

The Field Research Fellowship will provide awards of up to $4,000 to a selected number of students, post-docs, or faculty to conduct short-term field research in Mongolia between May and October, 2025. The field research project should be conducted in conjunction with a Research Sponsor, such as a faculty member or senior researcher, and should involve at least 6 weeks (students) or 3 weeks (post-docs or faculty) of fieldwork in Mongolia.

A graphic with text that reads “ACMS Field Research Fellowship Program, May - October 2025. Apply by February 15, 2025. www.mongoliacenter.org.“

The Intensive Summer Language Program takes place for eight weeks during the summer in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The purpose of this summer language program is to provide Intermediate-level students of the Mongolian language with an opportunity to enhance their communicative competence. We offer a limited number of Language Program Fellowships with stipends to cover the full cost of tuition for selected fellows.

A graphic with text that reads “ACMS Intensive Summer Language Program, June 2-August 1, 2025. Apply by February 15, 2025. www.mongoliacenter.org.“

Maury Kravitz Collection

We have created a dedicated book corner at our library to house the generous donation from the family of Maury Kravitz, showcasing his extensive collection of books on Chinggis Khaan and Mongolian studies. Through decades of dedicated research and exploration, Mr. Kravitz invested over $1.2 million and countless years in his quest to locate the tomb of Chinggis Khan. This remarkable library collection stands as a testament to his passionate pursuit of knowledge and his lasting impact on Mongolian history. We are confident that this collection will enrich Chinggis Khaan's studies, providing an invaluable resource for scholars in Mongolia and beyond.

The Maury Kravitz Collection at the library in the ACMS Ulaanbaatar office.

ACMS at Native American Heritage Month Celebration

In honor of Native American Heritage Month, ACMS joined a special reception celebrating American Indigenous art and culture at the residence of U.S. Ambassador H.E. Richard Buangan. The event featured a stunning display of 19 artworks by Native American artists, showcasing the richness and diversity of Indigenous traditions and creativity. Ambassador Buangan’s initiative to highlight these cultural treasures provided a meaningful platform to honor the heritage and contributions of Native American communities.

We are grateful for the opportunity to participate in this celebration and for the ongoing efforts to promote cultural understanding and appreciation.

ACMS Director of Partnerships and Outreach Ms Davaasuren with U.S. Ambassador H.E. Richard Buangan

A black and white photo of an Alaskan Native woman wearing a coat with a large fur hood.

ACMS Director of Partnerships and Outreach M. Davaasuren with U.S. Ambassador H.E. Richard Buangan

A photograph of an Alaska Native woman featured at the event.

ACMS Spotlight

A photo of a woman with gray hair standing in front of a bookshelf and smiling at the camera.

Darcy Maier, Peace Corps Volunteer

ACMS proudly celebrates Ms. Darcy Maier for her remarkable volunteer service in Mongolia. Arriving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in October 2023 at the age of 64, Darcy has dedicated herself to teaching English at Public School 24 in Ulaanbaatar. Beyond her work at the school, she has actively supported the American Corner, MakeUspace, and ACMS Library.

Since February 2024, Darcy has been an invaluable part of the ACMS Library team, contributing her time and expertise to completing a full book inventory, cataloging, and classifying the collection. Her commitment, enthusiasm, and professionalism have made working with her a truly rewarding experience.

Darcy’s career as a Medical Social Worker in Home Health and Hospice, coupled with her educational background from the University of Maryland and her Master’s in Social Work from Portland State University, reflect her lifelong dedication to service and learning.

Recently, she delivered a thought-provoking talk titled Teaching English as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mongolia as part of our Speaker Series. In her presentation, she shared her observations and experiences, offering valuable insights and recommendations for the ongoing transition in Mongolian public schools.

As Darcy concludes her volunteer service in Mongolia, we extend our deepest gratitude for her contributions and wish her all the best in her future endeavors. Her legacy of service will continue to inspire all who have had the privilege to work with her.

Employment Opportunity

Visiting Lecturer Position in Mongolian Studies

Western Washington University is seeking a Schwarz Visiting Lecturer for either the Fall 2025 (September 16-December 16) or Winter 2026 (January 2 – March 30) term. The successful candidate will be responsible for teaching one 5-credit course in any academic discipline, with a focus on the study of Mongolia; plus an additional 3 hours per week in relevant professional service related to the Western Libraries Mongolia Collection and promotion of Mongolian Studies in the campus and local communities. Application review will begin January 10, 2025, and remain open until filled. Finalists will be interviewed via video conferencing. For the complete job advertisement, please see here. Inquiries about the position may be submitted to: Dr. Mark Greenberg, Director of Faculty Global Engagement in Western’s Office of Global Engagement.

Mongolian and Inner Asian Studies News, Events, and Publications

Research Publications

"Length-Based Assessment of Hovsgol Grayling (Thymallus nigrescens), Lenok (Brachymystax lenok), and Burbot (Lota lota) Population Status in Lake Hovsgol, Mongolia"

Olaf Jensen, longtime ACMS member and Associate Professor in the Center for Limnology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, recently co-authored a paper published in Fisheries Management and Ecology. The article assesses the population status of three fish species in Lake Hovsgol, Mongolia using length composition data to caution about the impacts of illegal fishing. Read the article here.

In the News

Mongol Zurag: Reimagining the art of Resistance. What the Venice Exhibition Looks Like

Explore how Mongolian artists are reimagining the "Mongol Zurag," or "Mongolian painting," aesthetic tradition as a vehicle for political expression at a recent exhibition in Venice. Read the article here.

Upcoming Deadlines and CfPs

Fifth International Conference on Aspects of Mongolian Buddhism

The Department of Mongolian and Inner Asian Studies and Research Centre for Mongolian Studies at ELTE Eötvös Loránd University in collaboration with partner institutions from Hungary and Mongolia cordially invite you to participate in the Fifth International Conference on Aspects of Mongolian Buddhism taking place on April 8-9, 2024 in Budapest, Hungary.

This year's theme is "Textual Tradition of Mongolian Buddhism: Written and Oral Traditions."

The conference is for scholars and monks to present their work on any aspect of the textual tradition of Mongolian Buddhism. This can cover history, philosophy, education, monasticism, rituals, folklore and folk religion, and any other fields related to Mongolian Buddhism's textual tradition preserved in written form or oral narratives.

The conference will focus on the Buddhism of Mongols living in the present area of Mongolia and the beliefs and practices of Mongols living in China, Russia, or other places where Mongols settled. The scientific papers will be published in book format.

The main languages of the conference are English, Mongolian, and Russian.

Please register by January 7, 2025 by sending your name, affiliation, presentation title, and abstract of 150 words to mongol@btk.elte.hu. More information on the conference will be published here.

Fellowship Opportunities

CAORC Overseas Faculty Development Seminar: Climate Change and Public Health: What does Climate Change Mean for the People of Mongolia?"

Application Deadline: December 2, 2024

To support community colleges and minority-serving institutions, the Council of American Overseas Research Centers (CAORC) offers fully-funded overseas seminars that help faculty and administrators gain the requisite first-hand experience needed to develop and improve international courses, curricula, and teaching materials. This seminar, administered by CAORC in collaboration with its member center in Mongolia, the American Center for Mongolian Studies, funds participation in a two-week seminar from July 26 to August 9, 2025 in Mongolia focused on issues related to Climate Change and Public Health that will include stays in the urban capital Ulaanbaatar, rural communities in Kharkhorin, the historic capital of the Mongol Empire, and visits to Erdene Zuu Monastery, the oldest Buddhist monastery in Mongolia and Hustai National Park, home to the rare and endangered Przewalski’s horse.

CAORC Multi-Country Research Fellowship

Application Deadline: December 5, 2024

The Multi-Country Research Fellowship enables US scholars to carry out transnational research in countries across the network of Overseas Research Centers as well as other countries. The fellowship supports advanced research in the humanities, social sciences, and allied natural sciences for US doctoral candidates, who are ‘all but dissertation,’ and scholars who have earned their PhD or a terminal degree. Applicants are eligible to apply as individuals or as teams. Six awards of $12,600 each will be granted. Funding is provided by the US Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

CAORC-NEH Research Fellowship

Application Deadline: January 15, 2025

The CAORC - National Endowment for the Humanities Research Fellowship provides the opportunity for scholars to carry out advanced research in the humanities and to spend significant time in one country with an Overseas Research Centers as a base. The fellowship supports advanced research in the humanities. Fellowship awards are for four to six consecutive months and selected fellows are awarded $5,000 per month of the award. This program is funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) under the Fellowship Programs at Independent Research Institutions (FPIRI).

Mongolian-U.S. National Civic Engagement Program (MUNCEP)

Application Deadline: January 31, 2025

The Mongolian-U.S. National Civic Engagement Program (MUNCEP) is a nine-week professional development program created by the US-Asia Institute (USAI) in coordination with the Embassy of Mongolia in Washington, D.C. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experiences for young adults (18-25 years old) of Mongolian descent who are U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, or F-1 visa holders to gain a firsthand look at the American government and political system in Washington, D.C. to engage civically and reflect on the role they, as future leaders, might play in strengthening the U.S.-Mongolia relationship.

ACMS Field Research Fellowship

Application Deadline: February 15, 2025

The American Center for Mongolian Studies (ACMS), with funding support from the US State Department Educational and Cultural Affairs Bureau and the Council of American Overseas Research Centers, invites applications for the tenth year of the ACMS Field Research Fellowship Program. The program will provide awards of up to $4,000 to a selected number of students, post-docs, or faculty to conduct short-term field research in Mongolia between May and October, 2025.

ACMS Intensive Summer Language Program Fellowship

Application Deadline: February 15, 2025

ACMS's Intensive Mongolian Language Program will take place from June 2-August 1, 2025 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The purpose of this summer language program is to provide Intermediate-level students of the Mongolian language with an opportunity to enhance their communicative competence through systematic improvement of reading, writing, listening and speaking skills, in an authentic environment. A limited number of Language Program Fellowships provide full-tuition scholarships to selected fellowship applicants. The fellowship is awarded to applicants based on merit and need.

ACMS Library Fellowship Program

Application Deadline: February 15, 2025

ACMS is pleased to continue our Library Fellowship program in 2025. This fellowship supports advanced US graduate students, faculty members, or professionals in library and information sciences from colleges and universities to conduct short-term library development projects and/or research in Mongolia for a period of up to 12 weeks between May and October, 2025. The fellowship is supported with funding from the US State Department Education and Cultural Affairs Bureau through a grant by the Council of American Overseas Research Centers.

Upcoming Holidays and Office Closures

ACMS offices will be closed on the following dates in observance of USA and Mongolian holidays.

November 28, 2024

November 29, 2024

December 25, 2024

December 30, 2024

January 1, 2024

Thanksgiving Day (USA)

Substitute of National Independence Day (Mongolia)

Christmas Day (USA)

National Freedom & Independence Day (Mongolia)

New Year's Day

Join the ACMS Today!

Interested in becoming more involved with the ACMS? In addition to checking out our website or following us on social media to stay up to date, consider becoming a member online or by stopping by our UB office located at Natsagdorj Library, East Entrance, Seoul St-7, Sukhbaatar District, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Additionally, keep your eye out for future newsletters that will include more resources, upcoming events, CfPs, and more.

As always, our Mongolian language classes are available on Zoom or in-person in our Ulaanbaatar office. Contact Tsermaa for more details. And don't forget, many of our library resources are available online as well! So until next time, happy reading and enjoy your fall.