FULBRIGHT STUDENT PROGRAM

2010-2011 FULBRIGHT STUDENT PROGRAM

Deadline for applications is May 1st, 2009

The Embassy of the United States of America is pleased to announce the 2010-2011 Fulbright Student Fellowship Program for young professionals and university graduates to pursue graduate level studies in the United States.  Fellowships are awarded competitively to candidates who best demonstrate a commitment to service in public and/or private sectors, and the potential to positively impact the future of Kosovo. 

2010-2011 Application for the Fulbright Student Program
in the United States (MASTER'S-DEGREE)
THE FULBRIGHT PROGRAM

The flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. Government, widely known as the Fulbright Program, is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. Since the U.S. Congress established the Fulbright Program in 1946, more than 286,000 participants, chosen for their leadership potential, have had the opportunity to observe each others' political, economic and cultural institutions, exchange ideas, and embark on joint ventures of importance to the general welfare of the world's inhabitants. 

Currently operating in 155 countries, the program is made up of various types of grants, including, but not limited to: Foreign Language Teaching Assistantships, Interfaith Community Programs, Visiting Scholars and Scholar-in-Residence Programs.  

NATURE OF GRANTS

Grant benefits vary according to the provisions of the program of each participating country. All Fulbright grants include limited accident and sickness insurance, airfare, and maintenance grants provided by the Department of State. Grants are awarded for a period of three and six months to two years of study. A grant may be revoked, terminated, or suspended. Grounds for revocation or termination include, but are not limited to (1) violation of any law of the United States or the home country; (2) any act likely to give offense to the United States; (3) failure to observe satisfactory academic or professional standards; (4) physical or mental incapacitation; (5) engaging in any unauthorized income-producing activity; (6) failure to comply with the grant's terms and conditions; and (7) material misrepresentation made by any grantee in the application form or grant document. A grant may be suspended if (1) the grantee ceases to carry out the project or academic program during the grant period, or (2) the grantee leaves the United States for more than two weeks without authorization of the commission/post or supervising agency.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

• Kosovo citizenship
• University degree from University of Pristina or American University of Kosovo
• English language proficiency (minimum of 550 paper based TOEFL score)
• Demonstrate leadership skills and potential for advancement in professions
• Under 40 years of age
• Plans to study Public Policy/Administration, Economics, Computer Science, Mining or Engineering.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Recipients of the Fulbright Fellowship must return to Kosovo for a minimum of two years. Family members are not allowed to accompany Fulbright Fellows to the United States during the Fellowship.

NOT ELIGIBLE:

• Individuals with recent U.S. experience (more than 6 months within the last 5 years).
• Individuals who have attended school in the U.S. for one academic year or more during the seven years prior to August 2010.
• Individuals with dual U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent resident status.
• A candidate with recent third-country experience may have a less compelling need for the Fulbright Program than a candidate who has never had a significant professional stay abroad.  

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

• All forms in this application are to be completed in English and printed from a computer.
• Each page of the following application carries its own instructions, which should be read carefully before proceeding.
• Every question must be answered completely and carefully. Please make every effort to limit your responses to the space provided.
• Completed applications should be returned by May 1st, 2009, 12:00 to the Embassy of the United States in Pristina.
• Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Do not mention the names of any U.S. universities you wish to attend in the five page Application. The Confidential Information Sheet is included for that purpose.

APPLICATION

Please note:
1) To move from field to field: use the tab key.
2) Text boxes: do not exceed the space available.
 
A complete application consists of the following components:

1. Cover Sheet
2. Application

In these five pages you will state biographical information, study objectives, curriculum vitae, and other information. Please note the following special instructions on certain numbered fields in the application:

• Degree Objective (page 1, item 15) This Fulbright Fellowship offers a two year degree for MA studies only. Requirements for completing academic work toward a degree vary depending upon the degree desired, the candidate's academic background, and the regulations of the individual U.S. institution to which the candidate is admitted. Although the minimum time required for a Master's degree is one academic year, a student should expect to spend from at least one summer session to an additional academic year to complete the academic requirements.

• Study Objectives (page 3, item 24).  The description of your study objectives in the U.S. is an essential and highly important part of your application. You should take great care in writing a clear and detailed description of the program you want to pursue. An unclear, incomplete or overly brief statement can diminish your chances for admission to an appropriate program in the U.S. Do not list your choice of universities here or anywhere else in the five pages of the application.

3. Confidential Information Form

The information you provide in this section is used for the internal purposes of the Institute of International Education (IIE), the implementing organization for the Fulbright program, and as a release form to obtain standardized test scores when necessary. You may list your choice of U.S. universities on this form only.

4. Confidential Letters of Reference

You must submit three letters. U.S. universities consider letters of reference extremely important. All letters of reference should be written by teachers under whom you have studied or pursued research, or by someone who has supervised you in work related to your proposed field of study. Letters of reference should not be written by persons related to you either by blood or marriage, or by personal friends. At least one academic and one professional or work-related letter must be included among the three letters you provide.

The letters of reference should be written in English. Please make sure to ask that both pages of the form are completed. You can print out these forms and forward them to the individuals who will write your letters. They need to mail the references to Public Affairs Office, U.S. Embassy, Nazim Hikmet 30, Pristina, Kosovo 10000.

STANDARDIZED TESTS

All applicants will be required to take the Institutional Test of English as a Foreign Language (ITP TOEFL) offered by the Education USA Center at the American School of Kosova. If you have taken the test in the past 2 years please attach the score report. Selected candidates will be requested to take the Official TOEFL, GRE or GMAT tests.

The TOEFL test (internet based) is administered in Pristina at the American School of Kosova, Pallati i Rinise dhe Sporteve, Prishtine. Minimum required score is 550 (paper based), 213 (computer based), 79-80 (internet based).

For TOEFL, GRE and GMAT tests please contact Ereblir Kadriu at ereblirk@askosova.org

PRINTING

If you would like to print a copy of your application or print letters of reference in an A-4 paper format, make certain to click on the "fit to page" or "shrink to fit" option which should appear on your print screen.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

DURATION OF GRANTS: Fulbright student grants are awarded for two academic years beginning in August or September 2010. Candidates appointed to certain types of Fulbright grants may be required to arrive during the summer for an introductory course or intensive English program prior to the academic year.

CHANGE OF PLANS: You should promptly inform the U.S. Embassy of any change in your academic status or future plans after this application has been submitted.

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS:

• Copy of your passport
• Translated and Xeroxed copy of university diploma
• Letter from employer confirming employment
• One photograph
• Curriculum vitae
 
MAILING INSTRUCTIONS: One hard copy of the application and all additional documents should be submitted by May 1st, 2009, 12:00 to:

Embassy of United States in Pristina.
Rruga Nazim Hikmet/Arberia, nr. 30,
10000, Pristine/Kosovo.

FOR ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS please contact:
Ardian Kastrati @ kastratiad@state.gov

Application Form (pdf)