GENERAL INFORMATION

Fields of Study

Grant Lengths and Dates

• Will be one academic year in length: between 9 and 12 months. Advanced doctoral candidates and those in the creative or performing arts may submit requests for shorter periods, but not less than 6 months.
• Can begin no sooner than July 2009 and no later than March 2010. Departure dates generally correspond to the academic calendars abroad. Approximate dates of the academic years in the various countries can be found in the Participating Country Summaries. Requirements for attendance at orientation programs, in the U.S. and/or overseas, are also contained in the Summaries.
  

• Renewals or Extensions: One-year renewals or short-term extensions are sometimes made depending on the availability of funds. Grantees apply for renewals or extensions directly to the supervising agencies in the host countries by the deadlines which will be announced to them by IIE. Full-year renewals are rare.
• Early Terminations: Acceptance of a grant by a candidate constitutes an agreement between the grantee and the sponsor. It is expected that, barring unforeseen emergencies, grantees will remain in the host country for the full tenure of the award. A grantee who leaves the host country or resigns from the grant at a date earlier than that specified in the grant authorization, without the express written consent of the supervising agency and/or IIE, may be required to reimburse the Fulbright Program for any expenditures made on his or her behalf, including allowances for orientation and/or round-trip travel.
  

Degree Level/Experience at time of application

• Graduating seniors and recent bachelor’s-degree graduates usually propose projects for which they have had some undergraduate preparation and/or direct work or internship experience.
• Candidates in the creative and performing arts without a bachelor’s degree can substitute four years of professional training or experience.
• Master’s and doctoral-degree candidates must demonstrate capacity for independent study or research, together with a general knowledge of the history, culture, and current events of the countries to which they are applying.
• Applicants may hold a J.D. degree at the time of application, but not a doctorate.
• Professionals need 5 years of professional study and/or experience in the field in which they are applying. Those with more than 5 years of experience should apply to the Council for International Exchange of Scholars in the Fulbright Scholar Program.
  

• M.D.s or medical students or the equivalent (e.g., D.D.S., O.D.) who wish to continue medical or hospital training or to obtain practical clinical experience should apply to IIE. However, M.D.s who have completed formal postgraduate training and propose attachment to a hospital or clinic for independent or collaborative research should apply to the Council for International Exchange of Scholars.

Affiliation and Supervising Agency Abroad

The supervising agency in the host country (Fulbright Commission/Foundation or the U.S. Embassy) has the ultimate authority to approve projects and affiliations. Selection of grantees is dependent upon approval of the project by the supervising agency and the ability of the candidate to obtain required visas and research clearances within the stipulated time period.
Please note:  If required visas and/ or research clearance(s) are denied by the application country, reassignment to a new country is normally not an option.

Affiliation with an educational institution or other sponsoring entity in the host country is required, even if the grantee is engaged primarily or solely in research or artistic activity or does not plan to enroll in regular classes.

1. In most instances, candidates are responsible for obtaining their own affiliations. Please consult the Participating Country Summaries for specific requirements.

• Candidates for English Teaching Assistantships will be placed by the supervising agency in the host country and should not attempt to place themselves.

2. Appropriate affiliations for research/study grants may include:

• Academic institutions
• Research organizations
• Non-governmental agencies or organizations
• Libraries or archives
• Museums
• Others as approved by the supervising agency in the host country
  

In-Country Supervision/Adaptability

• The level of supervision and support received in the host country depends upon the supervising agency.
  
• Countries with Fulbright Commissions or Foundations monitor grantees more closely than countries in which supervision is provided by the U.S. Embassy (Post).
• In Post countries, U.S. Embassy staff is supportive of grantees and assists them with general issues of settling-in and establishing contacts.
• Applicants should demonstrate the dynamism and flexibility necessary for active involvement in the host culture.
  

Grant Benefits

Fulbright grant benefits are:

• based on the cost of living in the host country
• paid in host country currency in countries with Commissions or Foundations
• paid in U.S. dollars to a grantee’s representative (person or financial institution) in the U.S. for grants to Post countries

Dependents:

• In some countries/world regions, a small dependents allowance is made available
• No transportation or insurance is provided for dependents
• Grantees who plan to take dependents must, as a condition of the grant, submit a statement of their ability to finance transportation and, if necessary, maintenance for them
• No dependents allowance is provided for any adult dependent who holds a grant from any source

Within Fulbright, a dependent:

• is a spouse, child, parent or sibling who is financially dependent on the grantee
• must accompany the grantee abroad for at least 80% of the grant period in order to receive the dependent benefit
  

Housing:

• In general, may be difficult to find. Grantees with children will have particular problems
• Assistance in finding housing may be provided by the supervising agency
• Grantees should take advantage of dormitories and student hostels and inquire about the availability of facilities well in advance of arrival by contacting the supervising agency abroad

Other Funds:

• Scholarships, Fellowships or grants in dollars or foreign currencies received concurrently with a Fulbright grant that duplicate Fulbright benefits will be deducted
• Non-duplicative funds are permitted
• Grantees may not accept remunerative work abroad during the grant period without prior approval of the supervising agency in the host country and/or IIE

Health:
Medical Certificate

• Candidates offered awards, are required to have a medical certificate (supplied by IIE) completed by their physician
• Fulbright grants cannot be implemented until the certificate has been reviewed by the State Department Medical Adviser and medical clearance for assignment abroad is recommended, since medical facilities may be inadequate or unavailable for existing medical problems
• Grantees must inform IIE immediately of any change in their medical status, including pregnancy, subsequent to medical clearance being given. Changes may require additional medical clearance and approval

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