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