EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGE

Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program in the United States

DEADLINE: October 2, 2023 

The Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program is a non-degree program for junior and senior researchers, university lecturers, and experts from academic institutions in Kosovo who wish to conduct research, lecture, or pursue combined lecturing and research in the United States. The length of the program is from three up to nine months.

All candidates must currently be affiliated with one of the academic or research institutions in Kosovo. Special preference will be given to candidates who have the capacity and commitment to take full advantage of a program of research or lecturing at a U.S. institution, and who are willing to share their experience and knowledge after returning to Kosovo. The Fulbright experience should be of value not only to the scholar but also to the scholar’s home institution, as well as to the host U.S. institution. Fulbright scholars serve as cultural ambassadors and should be prepared to speak about their country, culture, and research to academic and community groups.

The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. Government, designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. The Fulbright Program was established in 1946 under legislation introduced by former Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas. The Fulbright Program is administered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State and awards approximately 8,000 + new grants annually and operates in over 160 + countries worldwide. Since its inception, more than 370,000 participants, chosen for their leadership potential, have participated in the Fulbright Program to exchange ideas, observe each other’s political, economic, and cultural institutions, and embark on joint ventures of importance to the general welfare of the world’s inhabitants. The Fulbright Program in Kosovo is jointly supported by the U.S. Department of State and the Government of Kosovo.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Doctoral Degree or Ph.D. Candidates at accredited universities
• Currently teaching and conducting research at an accredited Kosovo university (more than 5 years recommended)
• Proficiency in English
• A detailed statement of proposed activity for research at a U.S. institution
• Kosovo citizenship or proof of residence in Kosovo

Preference is given to candidates without recent experience in the United States.  Recipients of Fulbright Scholarships within the past five years will not be considered.

Persons holding permanent residence in the United States are not eligible to apply for Fulbright grants to the United States. Persons who are citizens of both Kosovo and the United States are also ineligible. Employees of the U.S. Embassy and their immediate family members are ineligible.

Financial Provisions

The Fulbright Fellowship provides tuition, monthly maintenance allowance, a book and supplies allowance, limited accident and medical insurance, and round-trip international travel to the host institution. The Fulbright Grant is not renewable.

Note: Fulbright visiting scholars enter the United States on an exchange visitor (J-1) visa on this Department of State exchange program, which requires visiting scholars to return to Kosovo for a minimum of two years at the end of the grant period.

Application and Selection Process

All documents must be submitted in English through the online system.

A complete application includes:

• Completed online application form.
• A detailed statement of proposed activity
• A detailed curriculum vitae
• At least three references
• A photocopy of valid Kosovo passport or national ID
• Translated photocopies of diplomas (university, Master’s, and doctoral degree) and other certificates received
• A letter from employer confirming employment.
• A letter of invitation or appointment from U.S. institution

Please scan all the above-mentioned documents and attach them to your online application.

Application Guidelines

Complete the application form carefully after reading “Instructions for Completing the Application” found on step 1 of the application. References are submitted directly in the system by the individuals recommending you. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that reference reports are submitted by the deadline so that references accompany the application throughout the entire review process. References should be from persons qualified to evaluate your professional work and proposal. At least one of the references should be from a specialist outside your university. References should provide evidence of a scholar’s reputation within his/her discipline and must be written in English. The Reference Report Form in the application packet suggests qualifications that the reference writer should address.

A detailed curriculum vitae should be submitted. The curriculum vitae should describe academic credentials and relevant, recent achievements.

When composing curriculum vitae, it is important to include:

1. Education (universities attended, degrees held)
2. Positions held
3. Courses taught and other services provided to students and the home institution
4. Publications
5. Other relevant professional activities, such as workshops, seminars, and consultations
6. Membership and activities in professional associations
7. Professional honors, awards, and fellowships (relevant honors and awards)
8. Community service.

The application asks for similar information but provides limited space for answers. In the curriculum vitae, the applicant should expand upon these topics to provide a more complete presentation of your accomplishments.

Preparing the Project Statement

The project statement is the most important aspect of preparing the Fulbright application. Scholars with the most compelling, theoretically sound, well-written, feasible proposals are generally recommended for awards. Sometimes those with outstanding professional achievements assume that a brief, general project statement will be sufficient. But in order to ensure full consideration of your proposal, your – project, the strategy for completing it, and its envisioned outcome, should be thoroughly explained. To ensure that the selection committee will be capable of evaluating a candidate’s competitiveness for an award, a complete statement should include the following:

• Clearly define your objectives and the methodology you will employ. Indicate whether you will use interviews, library, or archival research, or laboratory experiments to accomplish your project.
• Place your project in academic or professional context by referring to leading works by others on the topic if that information is available. Explain the significance of the project for the field and your own professional development. Indicate how you will disseminate the results of your research both in the United States and in Kosovo.
• Explain why residence in the United States is necessary for accomplishment of the project. Comment, if applicable, on the adequacy or inadequacy of research facilities and library resources in Kosovo and on the need to use specific collections in the United States.
• Describe arrangements you have made, for affiliation or collaboration. Secure a letter of invitation from a U.S. host institution testifying to the merits and feasibility of the proposal. Scholars who have studied previously in the United States should avoid seeking affiliation at their U.S. alma mater because candidates are encouraged to expand their contacts within the U.S. academic community.
• Discuss how your project can be completed within the time period you have available.
• Describe your competence in English if you are not a native speaker. Proficiency in English is required for research awards in the United States.
• Indicate how you will disseminate the results of your research both in the United States and in Kosovo.

Arrangements for affiliation with a U.S. host institution

One of the most important requirements of the Fulbright Scholar Program is a formal affiliation at a U.S. university or research institution. When determining which institutions to contact, do not limit yourself to only the most well-known U.S. universities. Many U.S. universities may not have an international reputation, but they often have the most appropriate facilities for visiting scholars to conduct research. We have observed that visiting scholars placed in these smaller and less well-known institutions often are given greater attention than their colleagues who are affiliated with more well-known universities.

Duration of Program: Fulbright Visiting Scholars are awarded grants for three up to nine months beginning in August or September 2024, or winter/spring 2025.

Application Forms:

For the online application, please visit: https://apply.iie.org/fvsp2024

The deadline for receipt of applications is 11:59pm CET on October 2, 2023.

If you have questions, please contact:

Nora Nimani-Musa
Program Coordinator
American Councils Kosovo
E-mail: uskeb@americancouncils.org