Fulbright Information Session
By Aloysious Gowne – U.S. Consulate Cape Town
Overview:
SA-US Exchange Programs
Sponsored by U.S. Department of State (Bureau of Educational and
Cultural Administration)
 OBJECTIVE - designed to increase mutual
understanding between the people of the
United States and people of South Africa.
 Provided more than 300,000 participants
(world wide)
 chosen for their leadership potential
 opportunity to observe each other’s political,
economic and cultural institutions - exchange
ideas
 embark on joint ventures of importance to the
general welfare of the world’s inhabitants.
For more information on Educational & Professional exchanges:
http://southafrica.usembassy.gov/educational_exchanges.html
Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program
 Offers South African scholars 3 – 9 months grants to
lecture and/or conduct independent post-doctoral
research at a U.S. academic or research institution.
o Length of grant: 3-9 months for scholarly
research and / or lecturing.
o Applications: May – November 30
http://southafrica.usembassy.gov/postdoctoral.html
o Average number of grants per year: 8-10
o Doctoral degree or equivalent professional
training or experience
o Proficiency in English appropriate to proposed
lecturing or research projects
o A detailed statement of proposed activity for
research or lecturing at a U.S. institution
o A letter of invitation from the U.S. institution
U.S. Specialist Program
 Promotes linkages between U.S. academics and/or
professionals with their counterparts at South
African universities and institutions.
 Designed to award grants to qualified U.S. faculty
and professionals in select disciplines to engage in
short-term, collaborative, two to six-week projects.
o International travel costs and an honorarium –
Fulbright
o Participating host universities cover grantee incountry expenses or provide in-kind
contributions.
Fulbright Student/Graduate Program
 Provides opportunity for South African students to
pursue graduate degree
o undertake an academic year of research/nondegree study at a U.S. academic institution.
 Most grants awarded for a period of up to 24
months.
 Between 10-15 students selected for Fulbright each
year in South Africa.
http://southafrica.usembassy.gov/postgraduate.html
Identify Programs that are best for You
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Define your goals and objectives
Decide on your field and specialization
Get an overview of the programs in your field
Browse scholarly journals to identify current
centers of research in your field
 Seek a good match between you, the
department, and faculty
 Use Peterson’s 6-volume set
 Refer to the EducationUSA website:
www.educationusa.state.gov
Guideline for Application – Narrative
Statement
Purpose?
 To know you and your interests.
 To assess you and your skills beyond the
transcript.
 To compare you with other applicants.
 To determine your likelihood of success as a
grad student and a professional.
 To give you a chance to highlight your
motivation, character, potential, etc.
General Tips (Essays)
 Must be clear, concise, specific
 Can substitute for an interview
 Focus on your experiences, conclusions drawn and
lessons learned
 Show what you will contribute
 Make your admission compelling
 Neat, original, professional, honest, realistic
 Relevance of your proposal to faculty research areas
 Don’t walk alone: use guide books in the advising
library and relevant websites
Recommendations
 Choose those who will write these early and
cultivate them carefully
 Meet with them before requesting recommendation,
give them your transcript and statement of purpose
to guide them
These letters should discuss:
 Length, level and nature of interaction with the
applicant
 Indication of strengths of applicant relative to peer
group
 Skills assessment
Time Line: Planning for your Fulbright
Application
 October ’14 to April ‘15: think, read, research, select
schools and programs. Plan your essays and cultivate
your recommenders. Contact professors early for
letters and completed supplemental forms. Register
your on-line profile!
http://apply.embark.com/student/fulbright/international/
20
 April 20 – Fulbright online application MUST be
received by this date!
 May – Interviewees selected/notified
 Aug– Successful candidates (Finalists) notified
by National Committee
 September-December: take standardized
exams: GRE,TOEFL, GMAT, &/or GRE Subject
Tests
 Jan. 2016: Your applications will be submitted
to universities by this time
 April - June: Begin receiving university
decisions, placement by Fulbright program
 June-July: Apply for Visa: Attend pre-departure
orientation
 August 2016: Depart for U.S. institution
Contact details and useful links
General Contacts:
Tel: 012 431 4000
E-mail: Fulbright_Program_SAfrica@state.gov
Cape Town
Tel: 27-21-7027368
EducationUSA Advisor
Tel +27-21-702-7362
http://southafrica.usembassy.gov
http://southafrica.usembassy.gov/educational_e
xchanges.html
http://southafrica.usembassy.gov/educationaladvising.html
www.facebook.com/USinSouthAfrica
www.twitter.com/USEmbPretoria
www.humphreyfellowship.org