Name of the Organisation : Australian American Fulbright Commission (fulbright.com.au)
Type of Announcement : Fulbright Scholarship
Country : Australia
http://www.fulbright.com.au/
Related : Royal Australasian College Of Physicians John Snow Scholarship Australia : www.statusin.org/1001.html
Fulbright Scholarships :
Eligibility :
Nationality :
** Permanent resident status does not satisfy this requirement and nationals of other countries cannot be treated as Australian citizens even though they may have resided in Australia for a considerable time.
Applicants must be Australian citizens by birth or naturalisation.
** Applicants will be required to show evidence of Australian citizenship on applying for a Fulbright Scholarship.
** Applicants holding United States/Australian dual citizenship, or Green Card holders residing abroad, are ineligible and will not be considered for a Fulbright Scholarship.
** Persons applying for or holding permanent residence in the United States or AUSTRALIA are not eligible.
** Persons who are citizens of both AUSTRALIA and the United States are also ineligible.
Residency requirements : Applicants must have been resident in Australia for a period of two years when they apply for a Fulbright (this does not of course count short trips overseas). This is due to the exchange nature of the Fulbright Program between Australia and the US.
Interview requirements :
** Postgraduate and Postdoctoral Scholarship applicants are required to attend an interview in person, in their state of residence, if they are short-listed. There can be no exceptions made and you must ensure your availability.
** The interviews are conducted by State Selection Committees in September annually – see timeline for dates.
** All interviews for Professional and Senior Scholarship applicants will be conducted via digital technologies – ie Skype, or Video conference (where possible).
** In order to be considered all applicants must undertake an interview in the format set out above for the different Scholarships.
Medical requirements :
** A medical examination will be required for all successful applicants.
** Applicants must complete and pass the medical examination before a Scholarship offer can be finalised.
Previous experience in the United States : Previous travel (either personal or professional) to the U.S. will not exclude applicants however, where two applicants are considered of equal merit, preference will be given to the applicant who has not previously been to the United States.
Second Fulbright Scholarship :
** Previous Fulbright Scholars can apply for a second Fulbright Scholarship.
** Fulbright Scholars must wait five years, after completion of their original Fulbright Scholarship, before they can apply for a second Fulbright Scholarship.
Exchange visa :
** The Fulbright Program is an exchange program. Applicants must meet the U.S. Government immigration requirements to obtain a J-1 Visa. This visa includes a 2 year home residency requirement. Please be aware that no waivers will be given by the Fulbright Board in this matter.
** Further information on obtaining a J-1 Visa will be provided when applicants are offered a scholarship.
Medical graduates / professionals: Visa special conditions
** Medical professionals can apply for a Fulbright Scholarship to undertake research, but such research should not be directly related to clinical practice.
** The U.S. Department of State has designated the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) as the sole agency authorised to sponsor alien physicians for internship, residency and specialised clinical training in the United States.
** Fulbright Scholars cannot simultaneously be sponsored by ECFMG and such applicants who have sponsorship will not be considered. For further information contact the ECFMG Exchange Visitor Sponsorship Program.
Selection Criteria :
Australian Fulbright Scholarship applicants are selected through a State and National selection process by panels of experts chosen from academia, government and the US Embassy.
Applicants are selected on the following criteria;
High academic and professional merit :
Applicants must have a strong record of achievement in their chosen field, such as academic record, professional recognition, publications, exhibitions, performances or presentations.
Program proposal :
Applicant proposals need to be feasible and relevant to the interests of the applicant, along with relevance to both Australia and the United States of America. Proposals should identify;
** An educational component of study and/or research;
** Define and outline goals of the program and the role of the United States and its institutions in achieving these goals;
** Define the relevance and value of the program to further the mutual understanding and relationships between the United States and Australia.
Potential outcomes :
** Define the potential benefits to the applicant’s institution, profession, employer and/or industry;
** Outline how results and/or outcomes will be disseminated;
** Outline the long term linkages and collaborations that may be established at a personal, industry and professional level.
Ambassadorial skills : Applicants must demonstrate their ability to promote mutual understanding between Australia and the United States. Also, their willingness to share their knowledge and to productively build ongoing partnerships and linkages.
Adaptability : Applicants must demonstrate their willingness to adjust successfully to life in the United States.
Applications for the 2015 Fulbright Australian Scholarships are now open and close: 1 August 2014.