Fulbright Schuman Program - International Educator Grants

What the International Educator Grant gives you

You will receive up to 3,220 EUR per month (paid out as the equivalent in US dollars) to carry out research at a US university for 3 to 9 months, as well as a one-off payment of travel grant of 2,000 EUR. You will also receive support with applying for a J-1 visa, health insurance, assistance with preparations before your departure, and a programme in the US comprising seminars and a local adviser. Furthermore, you will become a member of the Fulbright Alumni Network, the community of former scholarship holders. The scholarship is part of the Fulbright-Schuman Programme, which is administered by the Fulbright Commission in Belgium and jointly funded by the US Department of State and the European Commission.

Who can apply

• Your job: You work in the field of international higher education, for example in the coordination of study abroad placements, exchange programmes or international programmes at a university.
• Degree: You must hold at least a bachelor’s degree. A doctoral degree is not required.
• Experience: You have at least three years’ professional experience in the field of international education.
• Your project: You are conducting research on a topic in the field of international higher education, comparing the USA and the EU. As your research location, you should choose a US university or a non-profit research institution of your own choosing.
• Nationality: You are a citizen of an EU Member State. This depends on your passport, not on where you live.
• Not in the US: At the time of your application, you do not live in the United States, do not hold dual citizenship (US) and do not hold a Green Card.
• Language: Your English is good enough to apply for the job and to work in that language.
• No EU-institution ties: You are not currently employed by the European Commission, nor are you undertaking an internship there, and you have no close professional links with EU institutions.

How to apply

You must apply online via the Fulbright/IIE platform between 15 September and 1 December (12:00 CET) for a research placement commencing in the following academic year. Your application must include a project proposal, your degree certificate and academic transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a letter from your US host institution confirming your acceptance. Suitable candidates will then be invited to a compulsory online interview in English.

How realistic are your chances?

This funding scheme is very narrowly defined. You must already be working in the field of international higher education, have at least three years’ professional experience, and find a host institution in the USA yourself. As a result, the pool of eligible applicants is small. If you clearly fit this profile and can present a coherent research proposal for the US and the EU, your chances are good. The biggest hurdle is of a practical nature: obtaining the letter of invitation and drafting a compelling application take time, so make sure you start early in the application period.