The Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program 2012- 2013 – Deadline January 9, 2012

The Fulbright Program is the U.S. Government’s flagship international educational exchange program.  Since the establishment of the program in 1946, over 46,800 Fulbright Visiting Scholars have conducted research or taught in U.S. universities, and more than 45,200 Fulbright U.S. Scholars have engaged in similar activities abroad.

The mission of the Fulbright Scholar Program is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and people of other countries.  It aims to provide educational exchange experiences to a maximum number of individuals not previously afforded such an opportunity.  The experience should be of intrinsic value to the scholar, the recipient’s home institution, its faculty and its students, as well as to the U.S. host institution.  Fulbright Scholars serve as cultural ambassadors and should be prepared to speak about their countries, cultures and research to academic and community groups.

The Fulbright Program has provided tens of thousands of scholars with the opportunity to establish professional contacts in their field and make long-lasting friendships with colleagues in the United States; to develop collaborative research relationships with U.S. scholars; and to enhance their scholarly publications and other contributions with research conducted in the United States.  Finally, for many faculties, the Fulbright Program offers an opportunity to pursue scholarly work without interruption.  By doing research, guest teaching, and pursuing other scholarly interests in a completely different environment, scholars return home personally invigorated and professionally stimulated.

Eligibility requirements for visiting scholar applicants:

• Lebanese Passport Holder or Long-Term Palestinian Residents   Persons selected for a Fulbright grant will be required to submit a copy of their passport data page to the Fulbright organization.  Persons applying for or holding permanent residence in the United States are not eligible.  Persons who are citizens of both a partner country and the United States are also ineligible.  Fulbright Scholars enter the United States on an Exchange Visitor (J-1) visa as a participant in a U.S. Department of State program and are subject to the two-year home-country residency requirement associated with the J-1 visa.  NOTE: Scholars and their dependents who have held J visas with sponsorship of more than six months are not eligible to reenter as J-1 researchers or lecturers for 12 months following the program sponsorship end date.  In addition, scholars who have previously held a J visa in the professor or research scholar category are not eligible for sponsorship again in those two categories for a period of 24 months following the program sponsorship end date.
• Doctoral degree or equivalent professional training or experience at the time of application.
• A detailed project statement of proposed activity at a U.S. institution.  The proposed project should contribute to the development of knowledge in your field and must be effectively investigated within a period of three to 12 months in the United States.
• Proficiency in English appropriate to the proposed teaching and/or research project to be carried out in the United States.  You may be required to take an English proficiency examination.
• Sound physical and mental health.  Those selected for a Fulbright grant are required to submit a Medical History and Examination Report before their grants can be finalized.

How to apply for the program:

Lebanese scholars who are interested in applying for the program should fill out an online application form.  The Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program application is available at:
https://apply.embark.com/student/fulbright/scholars/

The deadline for all applications is January 9, 2012.  Late applications are ineligible and will not be considered for the program.