OVERVIEW OF THE FULBRIGHT VISITING SCHOLAR PROGRAM

The mission of the Fulbright Scholar Program is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and people of other countries. It aims to provide educational exchange experiences to a maximum number of individuals not previously afforded such an opportunity. The experience should be of intrinsic value to the scholar, the recipient’s home institution, its faculty and its students, as well as to the U.S. host institution. Fulbright Scholars serve as cultural ambassadors and should be prepared to speak about their countries, cultures and research to academic and community groups.

The Program has provided thousands of scholars with the opportunity to establish professional contacts in their field and make long-lasting friendships with colleagues in the United States; to develop collaborative research relationships with U.S. scholars; and to enhance their scholarly publications and other contributions with research conducted in the United States. For many faculty, the Fulbright Program offers an opportunity to pursue scholarly work without interruption. By doing research, guest teaching, and pursuing other scholarly interests in a completely different environment, scholars return home personally invigorated and professionally stimulated.

PROGRAM INFORMATION:

Two categories of grants are offered in the ARSP:  research grants and program and curriculum development grants.

Research Grants:

Awards of 3 to 9 months are offered for African university faculty or research institute professionals to conduct research in any academic discipline at a U.S. academic or research institution beginning no earlier than August 2022 and no later than March 2023.  Applicants must hold a doctorate or equivalent terminal degree in their fields.  Preference will be given to individuals who have at least three years of university teaching experience and a productive scholarly record.

Program and Curriculum Development Grants:

Awards of 3 to 5 months are offered for African university faculty or administrators to conduct research in any academic discipline at a U.S. academic or research institution beginning no earlier than August 2022 and no later than March 2023.  Proposals should be linked to professional duties and demonstrate how the scholar will use the knowledge gained to develop new courses, curricula, or other academic programs at the home institution.  These grants are designed for university faculty or administrators with less experience and who may not have had recent access to research or instructional developments in their disciplines.  A doctorate degree is not required, but applicants must hold a minimum of a master’s or equivalent graduate degree.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON ELIGIBILITY:

1. The ARSP is open to scholars in all disciplines and without regard to gender or age; however, proposals for clinical medical research involving patient contact cannot be approved under the Fulbright Program.
2. Applicants must be citizens of the country from which they apply, or permanent residents qualified to hold a valid passport issued by that country.
3. Applicants for research grants must hold a doctorate degree or equivalent terminal degree in their fields.  Preference is given to individuals who have at least three years of university teaching experience and a productive scholarly record.
4. Applicants without doctorate degrees but who hold a master’s or equivalent graduate degree are eligible in the program and curriculum development category.
5. Applications for doctoral dissertation research, postdoctoral research immediately following the completion of a doctorate degree, or general professional travel, are ineligible.
6. Preference will be given to candidates who have not previously received a Fulbright scholar grant.
7. Preference will be given to candidates who have had no experience or limited experience in the U.S. Please confirm that a nominated candidate is not scheduled to be in the U.S. on another academic program immediately before the proposed start of the Fulbright grant.
8. Applicants must have sufficient proficiency in English to carry out their research projects and collaborate effectively with colleagues.
9. Applicants must be in good health.  Successful candidates will be asked to submit a Medical History and Examination Report.
10. Scholars who were unsuccessful in previous competitions may re-apply.  Repeat applicants should revise their proposals, update curriculum vitae, and obtain current letters of reference.
11. Each application must include three letters of reference.
12. Letters of invitation are strongly encouraged but not required.  Applicants are discouraged from requesting affiliation with an alma mater.  IIE will honor institutional affiliation preferences as far as possible.  Applicants unfamiliar with U.S. institutions may request that IIE identify suitable placements.

CONTACT/S:
George Beukes at BeukesGM@state.gov or,

Pinias Oscar at OscarPW@state.gov