Fulbright: Overview & Opportunities May 2008 Presented by Colleen Dube, Executive Director Fulbright Commission

Overview Background to the Fulbright Program Benefits to Participation / Collaboration Current Programs Questions / Discussion Staff & Contact Details

Background 1946: Established under under legislation sponsored by Senator J. William Fulbright Purpose:to increase mutual respect and understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchanges. 1957: Fulbright Program established in Ireland, more commonly known as An Bord Scholáireacthaí Cómhalairte (The Scholarship Exchange Board) 1991: Fulbright Commission established as a public body supported by the U.S. Department of State and the Department of Foreign Affairs to operate the Fulbright Program

Background 2007 / 2008 Highlights include 50 th Anniversary of the Fulbright Program in Ireland celebrated with inter-changes: Fulbright at 50 exhibition & concert 45 Scholarships awarded totaling €725 k for the 2007 – 2008 academic year. 60+ scholarships to be awarded 2008 – 2009, 26 US Scholars to be resident in Ireland ‘a priceless gift’ commissioned: a multi-media exploration of the evolution of the Fulbright Program in Ireland and how Fulbright makes a difference; to be launched September 2008

Background 2007 / 2008 Highlights include Re-branding completed to ensure Fulbright’s purpose & programs are effectively & creatively communicated Re-developed website, to be launched May 2008 €666 k from DCRGA / National Lottery for Irish language awards 2008 – 2011 confirmed and launched in Dublin and NYC Funding from Broadcasting Commission of Ireland’s Sound & Vision Scheme for The Fulbright Experience Radio Series – to air on Lyric FM Winter 2008

Background 2008 – 2011 : Strategic Directions 1.to offer a portfolio of programs attracting diverse applicants and institutions that contributes to the on- going dialogue between the US and Ireland 2.to develop an interactive exchange for Fulbright participants that allows for rich academic and cultural experiences 3.to enhance the attraction, perception and profile of Fulbright with key stakeholders 4.to ensure the sustainability, quality and efficiency of Fulbright

Benefits of Participation / Collaboration Quality - Fulbright is one of the most prestigious international education programs with very high visibility. It attracts and selects candidates with academic and personal excellence, leadership potential, commitment to scholarship and society and recognition that receiving a Fulbright award is for life. Contacts — Fulbright can access a “deep reservoir of expertise” and create an international network of contacts, skills and expertise to advance institutional priorities, personnel and programs

Benefits of Participation / Collaboration Cost – Fulbright grants to in-coming US scholars / professionals and students are a cost effective and creative way to facilitate the advancement of institutional and professional objectives and international understanding. For US applicants, Fulbright manages the advertising and recruitment of candidates, work permit processing, health insurance and orientation programs for grantees. Irish organisations bear no employers’ PRSI or any other social costs for US scholars / professionals while in Ireland as grant payments are administered by the Fulbright Program which is subject to annual Comptroller and Auditor General audits. For Irish applicants, Fulbright assists with the application / admission process to US institutions and visa processing with the US Embassy. US host institutions may provide tuition assistance, accommodation and stipends to Irish grantees

Current Programs 1. Irish Awards for Students Scholars / Professionals 2.US Awards for Students Scholars / Professionals

Current Programs – Irish Awards - Students Annual Fulbright Awards for Irish Students Number: Approx 14 Value: Max €20,000 This Program enables Irish students to undertake postgraduate study and research at US colleges. There are 2 types of awards: 1.Commission awards in any discipline including the visual and performing arts 2.Sponsored awards for specific areas / applicants. In 2008 – 2009, these included: CRH in business studies Enterprise Ireland in Science, Technology and Innovation Environmental Protection Agency in Environmental Science / Policy Glen Dimplex in Science, Technology and Renewables Teagasc in Agriculture and Food Science / Policy The grant is only available for the first year but students may remain in the US for the full duration of Masters and PhD programmes. The 2009 – 2010 competition will open in early September The closing date will be at the end of November 2008.

Current Programs: Irish Awards – Students International Science & Technology Award Number: Approx 25 – 27 internationally Value: $60 k per annum x years Initiated in 2006, the award for Ph.D. candidates is designed to provide top- level students in science and technology with the U.S. government’s most prestigious and valuable scholarship. It is advertised internationally to attract the most highly qualified young women and men in the 147 countries in which Fulbright operates to the study at America’s leading universities. It provides successful candidates with fully funded Ph.D. studies for 5 years. The competition for the 2009 – 2010 Academic Year closed on 25 th April 2008.

Current Programs: Irish Awards – Students Foreign Language Teaching Assistantship Programme (FLTA) Number: Approx 10 Value: €6,000 to cover airfare and living costs + tuition waivers The aim of the FLTA program is to strengthen Irish language instruction at US colleges and universities while providing current or future teachers with the opportunity to refine their teaching skills and extend their knowledge of US society and culture that they can draw upon / impart when they return to Ireland. The Program offers FLTAs and US students the unique opportunity to learn about each others' culture and to build mutual understanding. The 2009 – 2010 competition will open in early September The closing date will be at the end of November 2008.

Current Programs: Irish Awards – Scholars / Professionals Annual Fulbright Awards for Irish Scholars / Professionals Number: Approx 6 Value: €10k - €15k for full academic year This Program enables Irish academics / post-doctoral scholars professionals to spend months researching / lecturing in the US. The following awards were offered for : 1. Fulbright Award in any discipline including the visual and performing arts 2. Fulbright Award in Deaf Education 3. Fulbright Award in Irish Literary and Cultural Studies. This award is co-sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs in conjunction with the Western Institute of Irish Studies and will be hosted by the University of California-Berkeley English Department during the academic year and Stanford University in The 2009 – 2010 competition will open in early September The closing date will be at the end of November 2008.

Current Programs: Irish Awards – Irish Scholars / Professionals Fulbright Awards for Irish Language Scholars / Professionals Number: Approx 2 Value: Max €60 k for full academic year These awards aim to promote Irish language and culture in the United States by providing opportunities for Irish language academics to lecture / research for 4-9 months at a recognised academic institution in the U.S. and Boston College (2008), NYU (2009) and the University of Notre Dame (2010). The 2009 – 2010 competition will open in early September The closing date will be at the end of November 2008.

Current Programs : Irish Awards – Irish Scholars / Professionals Fulbright – Schuman Program Number: Approx 11 – 13 throughout Europe Value: A monthly stipend of €3k, €2k for airfare, max €30 k for re-location costs The awards of 3 – 10 months are for research and/or post-graduate study on EU affairs or US-EU relations at an accredited U.S. university or independent research centre. Candidates are responsible for arranging their own affiliation and can request projects tenable in a maximum of two different US institutions Two to four one-semester awards for lecturing on EU affairs or U.S.-E.U. relations, integration, and political economy at Vanderbilt University. The 2008 – 2009 competition closed on 15th February 2008.

Current Programs: US Awards - Students Annual Fulbright Awards for US Students Number: Approx 3 Value: €16 - €30 k The reciprocal award to the program for Irish students in the US, this Program enables US postgraduate students to spend one-year studying / researching at a college in Ireland. These are advertised and short-listed by the Institute of International Education ( each March. The Fulbright Commission in Ireland makes recommendations to the J. William Fulbright Scholarship Board that makes the final selection. The Commission invites applications from all disciplines and from 2009 – 2010 will have a dedicated Irish Language Award.

Current Programs: US Awards – Scholars / Professionals Annual Fulbright Awards for US Scholars / Professionals Number: Approx 12 Value: €42 k for a full academic year The reciprocal award to the program for Irish scholars in the US, this Program enables US academics / post-doctoral scholars / professionals to spend 3 – 12 months researching and lecturing in an academic institution in Ireland. The Commission fully funds / co-funds 2 – 4 awards each year. From 2009 Colleges / institutions must fully-fund awards for inclusion in the Commission’s award text that is advertised by the Council of International Exchange of Scholars ( who short-list candidates for the institution and Commission’s consideration. The Fulbright Commission in Ireland makes recommendations to the J. William Fulbright Scholarship Board that makes the final selection. The Deadline for receipt of applications from interested Irish institutions for 2010 – 2011 is 5th September 2008.

Current Programs: US Awards – Scholars / Professionals Fulbright Senior Specialist Number: Approx 6 Value: US State Dept cover travel, insurance and a per diem, Host institution cover local travel / subsistence Programme duration: 2-6 weeks. The Program is designed to provide US faculty and professionals with opportunities to collaborate with professional counterparts outside the US on curriculum and faculty development, institutional planning and a variety of other academic activities in a selected range of eligible academic disciplines Host institutions may nominate a particular US academic or may simply request an approved expert in specific field. In both cases, candidates must be approved by the US Council for the International Exchange of Scholars (CIES) and the J. William Fulbright Scholarship Board.

Current Programs: US Awards – Scholars / Professionals Fulbright Distinguished Chair Number: 1 Value: €74k In 2004, Ireland established a Chair in Teaching and Learning at the National College of Ireland. These awards are viewed as the most prestigious appointments in the Fulbright Program. They provide the opportunity for a distinguished US academic to spend up to one-year lecturing / researching in an overseas country. There are currently thirty-nine distinguished chair awards available in 13 countries.

Current Programs: US Awards – Scholars / Professionals Fulbright Inter-country Program Number: N / A Value: Fulbright Commission assists with travel. Host institution requested to provide accommodation, subsistence and possibly a per diem This program allows the Fulbright Commission / interested institutions in Ireland to bring a US Scholar in another European Country to Ireland for a short period (maximum 1 week) to lecture / visit with relevant colleagues. A list of US Scholars currently in Europe is available on request from the Fulbright Commission.

Questions / Discussion

Commission Staff & Contact Details Colleen Dube, Executive Director E: Marianne Doyle, Communications & Information Officer E: Sonya McGuinness, Programme Manager E: Fulbright Commission Brooklawn House Shelbourne Road Dublin 4 T: (0) F: (0) W: