F ULBRIGHT U. S. S TUDENT P ROGRAM Kelly Taveras (Colombia) and Sophie Burke (NZ), 2014 Gabby Aguilera, 2015 Finalist Patricia Donahoe, 2013 Brazil ETA Nicole Chartier 2013 Colombia ETA

P ROGRAM O VERVIEW

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. Student Fulbright 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 individuals o Those who can contribute to and benefit from cultural exchange

Diversity Number of institutions submitting applications / Awarded: Small – 191 / 113 Large – 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)

T HINKING OF A PPLYING

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)

G RANTS AND B ENEFITS

Overview Basic Grant Types o Full Grant (Study/Research) o English Teaching Assistantship o Travel Grant (Germany or Hungary only) Special Fulbright Programs o Critical Language Enhancement Awards o Fulbright-mtvU Awards o National Geographic Award o 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 details o “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 support o Research allowance o Tuition o Language lessons o Enhancement activities (Caleb Kim – South Korea)

F ULBRIGHT A PPLICATION

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 Creative and Performing Arts Over thirty fields of study in the creative and performing arts Supplemental materials must be submitted: o Photographs, Portfolios o CDs o DVDs o 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

A PPLICATION P ROCESS

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

S ELECTION P ROCESS

Deadlines Enrolled candidates submit applications to campus committee by campus deadline for review Campus Deadline IIE Application Deadline 9/15/ /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

R ESOURCES

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