f ulbright u. s. s tudent p rogram kelly taveras (colombia) and sophie burke (nz), 2014 gabby...

FULBRIGHT U.S.STUDENTPROGRAM

Kelly Taveras (Colombia) and Sophie Burke (NZ), 2014

Gabby Aguilera, 2015 Finalist

Patricia Donahoe, 2013 Brazil ETA

Nicole Chartier 2013 Colombia ETA

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Program History & Administration

• Created by Congress in 1946 to foster mutual understanding among cultures and nations

• Administered in the U.S. by the Institute of International Education

• Sponsored by U.S. Department of State

• Functions abroad in cooperation with Fulbright Commissions and Foundations, and U.S. embassies

What Is the U.S. StudentFulbright Program?

• The U.S. Government’s flagship educational and cultural exchange program

• Focus on recent U.S. college/ university graduates, artists, and young professionals

• Study, research, or teaching assistantship opportunities

The Basics

• What is a U.S. Student Fulbright Grant?o An award to support self-designed study or research in 160

countries; English language teaching assistantships in over 40 countries

• Who should apply?o Highly-motivated, open-minded individualso Those who can contribute to and benefit from cultural

exchange

Diversity

Number of institutions submitting applications / Awarded:

Small – 191 / 113Large – 329 / 182

• Program is seeking universities traditionally under-represented in the Fulbright Program

• Institutional, ethnic & geographical diversity

• 1,500 grants awarded representing all facets of American society (institutional, ethnic, & geographical diversity)

THINKING OF APPLYING

Am I Eligible?

• U.S. Citizens

• Those with Bachelor’s degrees, equivalent training or professional experience by grant start

• Sufficient language ability as required by host country and in keeping with the Fulbright mission

• Good health

Who Is NOT Eligible?

• Non U.S. citizens (including permanent residents)

• Ph.D. degree-holders

• Previous U.S. Student Fulbright grantees

• Dual citizens or residents in some host countries (check website country descriptions)

A Fulbrighter Has…

• Strong academic and/or professional preparation

• Demonstrated leadership ability

• Less than six months spent in host country (excluding undergraduate study abroad)

• Focus on community involvement

Phuong Do - Vietnam

The Website

• All information about the Program is on our website: us.fulbrightonline.org

On the Website

• Grant Information Descriptions

• Eligibility Requirements

• Country Descriptions

• Campus Adviser Information

• IIE Contact Information

• Online Application

• Grantee Directory

(Rosanna Brilliantes – Philippines)

GRANTS AND BENEFITS

Overview

• Basic Grant Typeso Full Grant (Study/Research)o English Teaching Assistantshipo Travel Grant (Germany or Hungary only)

• Special Fulbright Programso Critical Language Enhancement Awardso Fulbright-mtvU Awardso National Geographic Awardo Internship Grant (Taiwan)o Business Grant (Mexico or Spain)

Fulbright Full Grant

• Individually-designed academic, research, or artistic project in one of over 160 countries

• Projects may include university coursework, research, or professional training in the arts

• Guidelines may vary by country – check the website for detailso “Thinking of Applying” “Participating Countries”

English Teaching Assistantship

• Grantees assigned to teach conversational English in schools or universities throughout host country

• Grantee-designed project emphasizing community engagement

• Over 60 countries offer Fulbright ETA grants

Critical Language Enhancement Initiative

• Pre-grant training covering language study in Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Turkish and other specific languages for Full Grant applicants

• Funding is only available to grantees who demonstrate need for training and have completed one year of language training

• Language training occurs prior and during the grant term or for projects focusing on language acquisition training follows the grant term

Fulbright-mtvU Awards

• Grants focus is on international contemporary or popular music as a cultural force of expression

• Explores the use of music as a global force for mutual understanding

• Special ‘Documentation and Outreach Plan’ must be submitted in addition to Fulbright application

National Geographic Grant

• Digital storytelling in up to three countries on a globally significant theme

• In-depth examination of a globally relevant issue, comparing and contrasting how that issue is experienced across borders

• Fellows will receive instruction in digital storytelling techniques by National Geographic staff prior to their departure

Grant Benefits

• Roundtrip airfare• Monthly stipend (for room, board,

incidental costs• Health insurance

• Benefits may also include (varies by country):o Dependent supporto Research allowanceo Tuitiono Language lessonso Enhancement activities (Caleb Kim – South Korea)

FULBRIGHT APPLICATION

Application Components

• Application form (online)

• Statement of Grant Purpose

• Personal Statement

• Three references

• Transcripts

• Language Evaluation (if necessary) - varies by host country

• Affiliation in host country (Lisbeth Garassino – Romania)

Applications in Creativeand Performing Arts

• Over thirty fields of study in the creative and performing arts

• Supplemental materials must be submitted:o Photographs, Portfolioso CDso DVDso Writing Samples (Creative Writers

only)

• See website for eligible arts fields and specific requirements

(Randin Graves - Australia)

Preparing the Application

• Visit “How Do I Apply” on the website for details on preparing the application

• Currently-enrolled students MUST apply through the campus Fulbright Program Adviser

APPLICATION PROCESS

Statement of Grant Purpose (Full Grants)

• Two page essay that answers the questions: what, where, how, when, and why

• Demonstrates knowledge of the field of study

• Demonstrates awareness of needs in host country

• Any potential concern about project feasibility or your ability should be addressed directly

Statement of Grant Purpose (ETA Grant)

• One page essay that explains how you will reach your goals as an English Teaching Assistant, and why you would like to be an English Teaching Assistant

• Description of a small, supplemental research project (focused on community involvement)o Should not be location-specific

• Demonstrates sincere desire to teach English to non-native speakers

Letters of Affiliation- Full Grants Only

• From a host contact willing to advise/mentor you while conducting your Fulbright project

• Can be a professional at a university, laboratory, library, community organization

• Provides a signed letter on institutional letterhead indicating their support

• Check country summary for specifics before requesting letter

• ETAs DO NOT make affiliations

Things to Consider

• Is your project feasible?

• Do you have/can you secure a solid affiliation?

• Do you have requisite language skills?

• Have you demonstrated your ability to carry out your proposed project?

Online Application

• The Fulbright Application is ONLY available online

• Visit “Apply Now” on the website and follow the instructions for completing an application

SELECTION PROCESS

Deadlines

• Enrolled candidates submit applications to campus committee by campus deadline for review

Campus Deadline

IIE Application Deadline

9/15/2015

10/15

Campuses send enrolled students’ applications to IIE at deadline, at-large applicants submit directly to IIE

•Applications are processed at IIE and sent to National Screening Committee members

Selection Timeline

National Screening Committees Nov/Dec

• Screening committees review applications for a given country/field. They recommend candidates for selection

Fulbright Commissions/Embassies Jan-May

• The Fulbright Commissions and U.S. Embassies in the host countries select principal and alternate candidates

J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FSB)

Feb-May

• The presidentially-appointed FSB makes the final selection of candidates

Overall Timeline

National Screening Committees

Campus Deadline

IIE Application Deadline

Commissions/Embassies

Foreign Scholarship Board

September 16

October 15

Nov/Dec

Jan-May

Feb-May

Design Project, Seek Affiliations, Prepare App. May-Sept

RESOURCES

U.S. University Page

• Look up FPA information, deadlines, and other campus Fulbright information on our website

Current Grantees

• Get a sense of current and previous fellows and their projects

• Search by name, university, country, grant year, and more

• Learn fellows’ project names and fields of study