UK Fulbright Commission

The Fulbright Commission was created in the aftermath of the Second World War through the efforts of Senator J. William Fulbright, The Fulbright Programme promotes peace and understanding through educational exchange. Senator Fulbright believed that this would be an essential vehicle for mutual understanding between individuals, institutions and future leaders.

Today, the Fulbright Programme is one of the most prestigious awards programmes world-wide, operating in 144 countries and with 51 commissions. More Fulbright alumni have won Nobel Prizes than those of any other academic programme, including two in 2002.

The US-UK Fulbright Commission was created by treaty on 22 September 1948 and since its inception has expanded its programme to include grants for study in a wide variety of fields. MBA awards, filmaking, sports science, performing arts, science, politics, history, literature and dance to name a few. Since 1949, approximately 12,000 UK Nationals have studied in the US and 9,600 US Nationals in the UK on Fulbright Educational Exchanges out of 200,000 Fulbright alumni worldwide.

Objectives

The Work of the US-UK Fulbright CommissionThe US Educational Advisory Service (EAS) (Tel: [phone]) provides objective, accurate information and advice to any student or professional considering study or research in the US. EAS has a comprehensive library of reference materials and US university catalogues. It supplies admissions test registration bulletins and numerous introductory handouts to enquirers. EAS is also active in its outreach work, conducting many seminars throughout the year. Its annual US undergraduate fair, College Day, regularly attracts over 3,500 visitors and over 100 US university exhibitors. EAS maintains the Fulbright Website, which in the last six months received over six million hits and 900,000 visits. All of the Service's introductory handouts are available from the website.

The US-UK Fulbright Scholarship Programme (Tel: [phone]) is also responsible for promoting those Fulbright awards that are available to UK citizens to pursue study in the US, organising their selection processes and administration. In addition to this, the Commission organises the final selection of their US counterparts, the administration of their grants and a series of US Fulbright events designed to deepen their knowledge of the UK.

General Selection Criteria

In making these awards, the Fulbright Commission is looking not only for academic excellence, but also evidence of leadership and initiative, a wide range of interests and a curiosity about the host country and culture.

Candidates for these awards must:
* be a UK citizen. Those who hold or who are eligible to hold US citizenship, or who are resident in the US at the time of application, may not apply for an award from the US-UK Fulbright Commission.
* hold, or expect to obtain prior to departing, a minimum 2:1 undergraduate honours degree from a British university.

Because an objective of the Fulbright Programme is to provide an educational and cultural experience to those not previously afforded such an opportunity, preference will be given to candidates who have not had extensive (10 months or more) recent experience in the United States.

General ConditionsSuccessful candidates are required to attend a 2-day orientation programme in London before departure for the United States, the aim of which is to introduce them to aspects of the social, political, economic and cultural issues of their host country. It is also an opportunity to meet the other Fulbright scholars in their award year.

Fulbright scholars are required to submit reports at specified times during or immediately after their stay in the United States.

All Fulbright scholars travel to the United States on a J1 visa which requires them, on completion of their study programme, to return to their home country for a cumulative total of two years before they become eligible for a temporary worker's visa or for permanent residence in the United States. Tourist travel during this time is not affected.

Fulbright scholars staying for a full academic year in the United States may travel outside the US for a maximum of 3 weeks. Travel beyond this limit – unless required by their academic course – may affect the amount of their grant.

Candidates will be considered without respect to race, colour, religion, national origin or gender.

Postgraduate Awards for Study in the US

Fulbright Traditional Postgraduate Awards are offered for Masters or PhD study in any discipline (see separate award for Journalism) and at any accredited US university. The award covers up to $40,000 for the first year of study only, health insurance and university application and test fees. Successful candidates will work with the Fulbright Commission and the Institute of International Education in New York to identify and apply to the university departments which offer the best academic fit for their purpose. Application forms for awards in 2009/10 will be available in February 2008.

Fulbright Alistair Cooke Award in JournalismThe award is offered for a Masters in Journalism or for specialist study (e.g. Middle Eastern Studies) leading to a career in Journalism at any accredited US university. The award, offered in the first year of study only, is for up to $40,000 plus health insurance and university application and test fees. Successful candidates will work with the Fulbright Commission and the Institute of International Education in New York to identify and apply to the university departments which offer the best academic fit for their purpose. Application forms for awards in 2009/10 will be available in February 2008.

The Institute of International Education (IIE), based in New York, is contracted by the US Dept of State to provide a number of services for the Fulbright Commission and scholars. Once the Commission has made offers of a Fulbright award to UK candidates, IIE will begin the process of compiling and submitting applications to relevant US universities on their behalf. In addition to the university/ies selected by the scholar, IIE will recommend alternative programmes where there is a good or better academic fit.

IIE has unparalleled expertise in placing international students in US institutions of higher education. Their knowledgeable placement specialists, skilled negotiators who can often ensure special consideration for students, work with the full range of US colleges and universities. Their placement services are dedicated to matching each student with the best possible academic program.

Organized by field of study, University Placement staff members develop strong relationships not only with admissions officers but also with faculty and staff in academic departments. They keep abreast of the rapidly changing specialisations and trends within each field of study as well as the relative merits and quality of different university programmes both within the US and compared to top universities outside of the US. Through an annual review of admissions information and other advising resources, the placement advisors are able to identify the academic programmes that will best suit each student’s study plans.

IIE also offers guidance and advice on essay-writing for the application and pays all the application and required test fees.

Fulbright British Friends of Harvard Business School MBA Awards are offered for MBA study at Harvard Business School. The award covers tuition fees for the first year of study only.Applicants for this scholarship can apply for admission to Harvard Business School in the November or January admissions round. Candidates must be British citizens. After interview with the Fulbright Commission, a shortlist of names will be forwarded to BFHBS and a further interview will be required with the Trustees.

The British Friends of Harvard Business School was set up as a registered charity in 1990 with the specific objective of helping British students to attend the MBA programme of the Harvard Business School. Applicants earning less than £40,000 per year will be given preference, but this should not deter others from applying.

This award covers one year of tuition fees only. Loans to cover board and lodging are available from HBS. In certain cases the Fulbright Commission may decide to offer a stipend in addition. Application Deadline: 7th April 2008.

Scholars and Fellows Awards

The Fulbright Scholars and Fellows Awards allow post-doctoral lecturers and academics, and professionals in a variety of fields, to spend a period of time researching in the US. In making these awards the Fulbright Commission is looking for potential leaders in their chosen fields, and those who will prove excellent ambassadors for both the UK and the US-UK Fulbright Commission.

Fulbright-Robertson Visiting Professor of British HistoryOne award of $47,500 for a post-doctoral lecturer in Modern British History to spend 10 months at Westminster College in Missouri.

Fulbright Police Research FellowshipsTwo awards for serving UK police officers or civilian staff to spend between three and six months in the US developing their professional expertise through experience of American policing. Awards begin at £7,500.

Fulbright-AstraZeneca Research ScholarshipOne award of £17,500, plus round-trip travel, for a postdoctoral scientist to research cell biology, molecular biology or bio-informatics in the US. Applicants should enclose a letter of invitation from their host institution with their application form.

Fulbright Distinguished Scholar AwardsTwo awards of £15,000 each are offered to post-doctoral academics or working professionals, such as artists, musicians, museum personnel, lawyers etc., to facilitate research and/or lecturing for a minimum of eight months. Applicants should enclose a letter of invitation from their host institution with their application form.

Fulbright NICS FellowshipOne award of $25,000 for a senior civil servant in Northern Ireland to pursue research for between three and six months, affiliated to a relevant US institution. Applications are made via the Dept of Finance & Personnel NI. For more information, please contact Alison Wright on [e-mail].

References

Further reading

*Fulbright, J. William (1966). "The Arrogance of Power," New York: Random House. ISBN 0-8129-9262-8
*Fulbright, J. William (1985). "Advice and Dissent," Iowa City: University of Iowa Press.
*Clinton, Bill (2005). "My Life". Vintage. ISBN 1-4000-3003-X.
*Johnson, Haynes and Gwertzmann, Bernard (1968). " Fulbright: The Dissenter". Doubleday.
*Woods, Randall B. (1995) "Fulbright: A Biography," Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-48262-3