1. An Introduction to the Fulbright Schuman Program
ERICA LUTES
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Hello and welcome to a short webinar by the Fulbright Commission in Brussels. Today we would like to introduce you to the Fulbright Program in Belgium and the grants available for Belgian and Luxembourgish citizens in the application cycle.

2. History of Fulbright Program Grants available through Fulbright-Schuman Program Application Process
In this webinar, we’ll discuss the history of the Fulbright Program, provide an overview of the study and research grants available for Belgian and Luxembourgish citizens, and introduce you to the application process.

3. History of Fulbright program

4. Program History
Established in 1946, with first U.S.-EU exchanges in 1991
Proposed by Senator J. William Fulbright
Intended “to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and people of other countries”
Signed into law by President Harry Truman
In September 1945, the freshman senator from Arkansas, J. William Fulbright, introduced a bill in the U.S. Congress that called for the use of proceeds from the sales of surplus war property to fund the “promotion of international good will through the exchange of students in the fields of education, culture and science.” One year later, President Harry S. Truman signed the Fulbright Act into law. The first exchanges between the United States and Belgium occurred two years later, in 1948.

5. Fulbright Program Today
Flagship international educational exchange program of the U.S. State Department
Funded by United States and partner nations
More than 370,000 Fulbright grantees coming from/going to 160+ countries
Today, seventy years after its creation, Fulbright is the most widely recognized and prestigious international exchange program in the world, supported for more than half a century by the American people through an annual appropriation from the U.S. Congress and by the people of partner nations. The program—working with universities, schools, binational Fulbright commissions, government agencies, nongovernmental organizations and the private sector—actively seeks out individuals of achievement and potential who represent the full diversity of their respective societies and selects nominees through open, merit-based competitions.
Since the program began in 1946, more than 370,000 Fulbrighters have participated in the Fulbright Program coming from and going to more than 160 countries.

6. Fulbright-schuman program

7. Fulbright Grants Study and research grants for students and scholars
Foreign Language Teaching Assistantships for young teachers and language teaching assistants
Study of the United States Institute (SUSI) for secondary school teachers and current undergraduate students
Grants for professional journalists
The Fulbright Commission in Brussels offers grants for Belgians and Luxembourgers to study, lecture, and conduct research in the United States. Available grants include study and research grants for students and scholars… the Foreign Language Teaching Assistantship Program through which young teachers and language assistants can teach French, Dutch, or German at a U.S. university … the Study of the United States Institutes for secondary school teachers and current undergraduate students … and even grants for mid-career professional journalists.

8. Study/Research Grants
Grants for Belgian and Luxembourgish students to aid in graduate study or research at an accredited U.S. university (4-9 months)
Grants for Belgian and Luxembourgish scholars to lecture or conduct research at U.S. institution (3-9 months)
The Fulbright Commission offers grants for Belgian and Luxembourgish students who will be pursuing graduate study or research in the United States. This usually takes the form of a master’s degree program, or up to a nine months of research as part of an ongoing doctoral degree.
Grants are also available at the post-graduate level for scholars – that is, applicants who already have completed their PhD – to lecture or conduct research at an accredited U.S. institution. While most students apply for funding for a full academic year with a minimum stay of four months, scholars may propose a research stay with a duration as short as three months.

9. Grant Benefits
Scholarship of $2000/month (students) and $3000/month (scholars)
Before you go…
J-1 visa sponsorship
Pre-Departure Orientation (in Brussels or home country)
$2000 travel stipend
While you’re there…
Sickness and accident insurance
In-country programming (e.g., Gateway Orientations for students, Enrichment Seminars for students/scholars)
Prestigious title and alumni network
Why apply for a Fulbright grant?
Fulbrighters receive a scholarship toward their tuition and fees, living expenses, and other related costs. Beginning in the academic year, this amount will be set at $2000 per month for students – that is, grantees without a PhD – and $3000 per month for scholars – that is, postdoctoral researchers, visiting professors, and some mid-career professionals.
Fulbright grantees also benefit from J-1 visa sponsorship, as well as J-2 visa sponsorship for accompanying dependents … a pre-departure orientation in Brussels … and a $1000 travel stipend to defray the costs of travelling to and from the United States.
While in the United States, Fulbrighters receive sickness and accident insurance and are invited to participate in-country programming. This includes Gateway Orientations upon arrival in the United States for students and Enrichment Seminars throughout the grant period, both of which allow grantees to visit another part of the U.S. and to interact with Fulbright grantees from around the world.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, Fulbrighters receive the prestigious title of Fulbright grantee and membership in a global alumni network.

10. Program Eligibility
To be eligible for the Fulbright-Schuman Program, you must…
be a citizen of one of the 28 EU member states
propose a project related to U.S.-EU relations, EU policy, or EU institutions
have a minimum of three months experience in two or more EU member states (e.g. Erasmus, research stay, etc.)
be proficient in English
Preference is given to candidates with two years of academic or professional experience beyond the bachelor’s degree

11. J1-Visa
Fulbright-Schuman grantees must go to the U.S. on a J1-visa sponsored by the Fulbright Commission … but don’t worry! We file the paperwork and pay the costs
You are required to return to your country of permanent legal residency for at least two years before returning to the United States as an immigrant or on a H, L, or K visa
Does not prevent you from re-entering the U.S. on an ESTA or with an F-1 student, B-1/B-2 (tourist) or J-1 student visa (or some other categories) in the future

12. Grants for Research/Study
Grants for students and scholars
Open to all academic disciplines, but topic must relate to U.S.-EU relations, EU policy, or EU institutions
Note: applicants are responsible for arranging their own placement at a U.S. university or other institution (separate but simultaneous application process)

13. Innovation Grants
Grants exclusively for topics with a focus on innovation
Supporting researchers and mid-career professionals from the U.S. and the EU who work at the intersection of technology and policy, allowing for a transatlantic approach to harnessing the potential of new technologies
Learn more online at

14. Grants for International Educators
Grants exclusively for professionals in international education administration (bachelor’s degree required; PhD not required)
Topic should provide a comparative U.S.-EU perspective on global issues within international higher education and/or share best practices within the field
Note: applicants are responsible for arranging their own placement at a U.S. university or other institution

15. Application process

16. Application Process Begin application after 15 September
Online application opens
December 1
Application deadline (noon)
Late January
Top-ranked applicants invited to in-person interview
Mid February
Successful applicants notified of selection
July-September
Departures to United States
Application Process
Begin application after 15 September
Prepare three letters of recommendation, transcripts, and essays for submission by noon on 1 December
Invited to Skype interview in late January
Notified of selection in mid-February
Depart in July, August, September
Applications to the Fulbright Program are completed entirely online, via a link that will appear on the Fulbright website after 15 September. Applicants should fill out the online application and prepare the necessary documents, including letters of recommendation, transcripts, and essays.
The deadline for Belgian and Luxembourgish citizens to apply to the Fulbright Program is noon on December 1. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Top-ranked applicants are invited to a short in-person interview with members of the selections committee. These interviews are held in Brussels, for Belgian citizens, and in Luxembourg City, for Luxembourgish citizens, and typically occur in the last week of January.
In mid-February, the Fulbright Commission begins notifying selected candidates who will still need to be approved by the Foreign Fulbright Scholarship Board before their selection can be finalized.
Grantees submit paperwork for their visas and prepare for departure during the spring. While some grantees may leave as early as the end of July, most will depart for the United States in August or September.

17. Student Application Components
12 page online application form
An “Americanized” Resume/CV
Transcript from most recent degree
TWO essays
Study/Research Objectives Essay
Personal Statement
THREE letters of recommendation
Writing sample (for doctoral students only)
Optional: test scores from relevant exams (e.g., GRE/GMAT, TOEFL)
Applicants to the Fulbright Foreign Student Program must submit the following components:
An “Americanized” Resume/CV
The transcript from the most recent degree
TWO essays,
The Study/Research Objectives Essay and
The Personal Statement
The former should provide a clear and detailed description of your study/research objectives, and your reasons for wanting to pursue them. The latter is a narrative statement describing how you have achieved your current goals. It can include information about education, practical experience, special interests, and career plans. You should also describe any significant factors that have influenced your educational or professional development and explain your existing practical experience. Remember that the Fulbright Program is about mutual understanding and explain very clearly in the application how you would carry out this mission.
THREE letters of recommendation
And a writing sample in the case of doctoral students
All of this must be uploaded via the online application system, and the 12-page online application form must also be completed.
Please note that the Fulbright Commission in Brussels does NOT require standardized test scores, like the GRE or TOEFl. However, if you have taken these exams and would like to provide your scores, you are welcome to do so.

18. Scholar Application Components
14 page online application form CV
Transcripts/diploma from most recent degree
3-5 page single-spaced project statement
1-3 page bibliography of references
Letter(s) of invitation from host institution(s)
THREE letters of recommendation
Scans of passport and any previous J-visas held
Applicants to the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program must submit the following components:
A CV
The transcripts and diploma from the most recent degree
A 3-5 page single-spaced project statement
A 1-3 page bibliography of references
A Letter of invitation from the host institution
THREE letters of recommendation
And scans of passport and any previous J-visas held
All of this must be uploaded via the online application system, and the 14-page online application form must also be completed.

19. Application Statistics
Scholars: 32 applications, 6 grants
Students: 41 applicants, 9 grants
Home countries of grantees: Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Romania, UK
Disciplines: Economics, Engineering, Environmental science, EU Law, Political Science, Public Policy
Scholars: 44 applications, 7 grants
Students: 31 applications, 7 grants
Home countries of grantees: Bulgaria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, UK
Disciplines: Anthropology, Education, Engineering, Environmental Law, Political Science

20. Royal Library of Belgium Boulevard de L’Empereur 4 Keizerslaan B-1000 Brussels Tel: +32 (0) |
For more information about the Fulbright Program, please visit the website of the Fulbright Commission in Brussels at Program officers are available to respond to questions about the program via phone or , and often hold outreach events at local universities and university colleges.