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