U.S. Fulbright Program
Adviser Newsletter

Updates: Student Fulbright Competition

Advisors please note these important new updates to the 2008-2009 U.S. Student Fulbright Competition:

• Critical Language Enhancement Awards: Applicants must have a minimum of one year of the critical language study or its equivalent by the beginning date of the pre-grant language training; English Teaching Assistantships are ineligible for this award.  Refer the individual country summaries for country-specific restrictions/requirements.
• New English Teaching Assistantship Awards in Italy (15 awards), Bulgaria (2 awards), and Hong Kong (16 awards).
• Fulbright-mtvU Awards: Up to four awards will be available to pursue projects around an aspect of international contemporary or popular music as a global force for mutual understanding.
  
• Fulbright/NAF Fellowships in Water Management in the Netherlands: As part of its mission to initiate and support educational exchange programs between the United States and the Netherlands, the Netherlands-America Foundation (NAF) has established Water Management Fulbright Fellowships in response to the devastation of New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina.
• Islamic Civilization Initiative: The Islamic Civilization Initiative has been discontinued with more grant opportunities added to specific countries.  See individual country summaries for more information

• Transcripts: Graduating senior candidates are now required to submit their final transcripts indicating they have received their degree.
• Previous Foreign Experience: If a candidate has resided abroad for five or more consecutive years in the six years preceding the date of application they are ineligible for a grant.
• Website: The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section of the website has been expanded. http://us.fulbrightonline.org/thinking_faq.html

Fulbright Application Reminders

As you are supporting your students in the Fulbright application process, please remember the following items during the grant preparation.

Fulbright grants do not provide specific funds for computer and internet access overseas.  Furthermore, Fulbrighters are not guaranteed access to computer facilities while they are abroad.  Please work with students in brainstorming creative options if they require computer and internet access abroad. 

Students should be aware of the importance of addressing engagement in the community as a part of their application.  This element of community engagement should also be integrated into the campus interview process. 

If students are interested in applying for a Critical Language Enhancement Award, it is important that they clearly define a commitment to learning the language throughout the Fulbright grant and beyond. 

Encourage the students to attend an Open Guidance Session and Alumni Roundtable at some point between May and October.  These sessions will provide the opportunity for students to receive additional application pointers and/or receive advice about strengthening their applications.  Sessions are held at IIE in New York City and videoconferenced to IIE’s Regional Centers in Washington DC, Chicago, Denver, Houston and San Francisco. Afternoon and evening sessions are available. For additional information on times and locations, please visit: http://us.fulbrightonline.org/home.html