05 srp Fulbright Program competition for academic year 2019-2020
Nature of Grants:
All Fulbright grants are research only.
Grant benefits vary according to the provisions of the program of each participating country. All Fulbright grants include limited accident and sickness insurance and maintenance grants provided by the Department of State. Air fares for grantees are provided by the Agency for Mobility and EU Programs.
Grants are awarded for a period of one or two semesters (5 to 9 months) for post-doctoral applicants; of 2 semesters (9 months) for pre-doctoral applicants. A grant may be revoked, terminated, or suspended. Grounds for revocation or termination include, but are not limited to:
- violation of any law of the United States or the home country;
- any act likely to give offense to the United States;
- failure to observe satisfactory academic or professional standards;
- physical or mental incapacitation;
- engaging in any unauthorized income-producing activity;
- failure to comply with the grant’s terms and conditions; and
- 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 supervising agency.
Preference is given to candidates without recent academic experience in the United States.
Following technical review of applications, candidates will be invited for a personal interview with a bi-national panel in mid/late June. Skype or phone interviews will NOT be available.
NOT ELIGIBLE: Persons holding permanent residence in the United States (green card); persons who are citizens of both Croatia and the United States. Fulbright grantees enter the United States on an exchange visitor (J-1) visa under a Department of State program, which requires them to return to their home countries for a minimum of two years at the end of the grant period. Previous recipients of Fulbright/Humphrey/JFDP/Ron Brown scholarships (U.S. Government funded academic programs) are NOT eligible to apply.
IMPORTANT for post-doc and pre-doc categories in the fields of medicine and dental medicine: scholarship recipients will not be able to conduct any clinical work and, together with their U.S. mentor, they will be required to sign a statement to that effect.
PREVIOUS APPLICANTS must register with different e-mail address and complete a new application.
DO NOT USE DIACRITICAL MARKINGS when filling out application forms.
REFERENCES: REFERENCES MUST BE UPLOADED BY THE REEFEREES INTO THE APPLICATIONS BY MAY 12, 2018. NO OTHER FORM OF REFERENCES WILL BE ACCEPTED (PAPER OR EMAIL). APPLICANTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR INSURING TIMELY SUBMISSSION OF REFERENCES BY THE REFEREES.
A) FULBRIGHT POST-DOCTORAL (SCHOLAR) PROGRAM
Eligibility Requirements
- Doctoral degree
- Proficiency in English
- Croatian citizenship
- Employment in Croatia
Additional documents which must be mailed in hard copy by registered mail and postmarked no later than May 12, 2018 include:
- xerox copy of “domovnica” (not certified)
- xerox copy of doctoral degree (not certified)
- original letter from employer confirming employment in Croatia (in English or Croatian)
- letter of invitation from a U.S. university (NOT E-MAIL)
Please mail to:
American Embassy, Public Affairs Office
attn. Fulbright Croatia Program
Ulica Thomasa Jeffersona 2, 10010 Zagreb
Application Guidelines
Make sure the reference reports are submitted promptly and in English. Referees must submit references electronically by May 12, 2018. 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 an expert outside your university.
When composing curriculum vitae (use American CV format rather than European), it is important to include:
- education (universities attended, degrees held)
- positions held, starting with present position
- courses taught and other services provided to students and the home institution
- publications
- other professional activities, such as workshops, seminars and consultations
- membership and activities in professional associations
- professional honors, awards and fellowships
- community service.
Project Statement
Preparing the Project Statement
The project statement is the most important part of 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 a more complete application, your proposed project, as well as the strategy for completing it, should be thoroughly explained.
Factors to Address in the Project Statement
- 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.
- Explain why residence in the United States is necessary to carry out the project. Comment, if applicable, on the adequacy or inadequacy of research facilities and library resources in your own country 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.
- Indicate how you will disseminate the results of your research both in the United States and in your home country.
Arrangements for Affiliation with a 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 appropriate facilities for scholars to conduct research. We have observed that scholars placed in these smaller and less renowned institutions often are given greater attention than their colleagues who are affiliated with more well-known universities.
B) FULBRIGHT PRE-DOCTORAL (STUDENT) PROGRAM
Confidential Letters of Reference: Three references must be sent electronically directly into the on-line application. 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 must be written in English and submitted electronically by May 12 into the application.
Arrangements for Affiliation with a Host Institution
One of the most important requirements of the Fulbright Program is a formal affiliation at a U.S. university or research institution. In many cases, applicants are in touch with colleagues at U.S. institutions and have made preliminary plans for their own placements. However, if you are unable to make these preliminary contacts, you are encouraged to identify two or three institutions that have appropriate facilities for the kind of research you wish to undertake and faculty specialized in your research interests. When determining which institutions to include on your preferred list, 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 appropriate facilities to conduct research. We have observed that students placed in these smaller and less renowned institutions often are given greater attention than their colleagues who are affiliated with more well-known universities. If program officers find that the preferred institutions listed by the student are not suitable for the work proposed or no strong professional reasons are given for wanting a particular institution, the program officer will request placement at another institution after consulting with staff, former U.S. Fulbright Students, and other sources. The task of affiliation is substantially accelerated if candidates have projects that are clearly defined. Through Public Affairs Offices of U.S. embassies, students are notified of the arrangements made for their affiliation in the United States and of recommended starting dates.
Standardized Tests
All pre-doctoral (student) finalists will be required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) in September and will receive instructions on how to apply. The test is administered in Zagreb.
Eligibility Requirements
- Completed (scientific) master’s degree, or enrollment into doctoral program in Croatia
- Proficiency in English
- Croatian citizenship
- Employment in Croatia
- Other Important Information
Duration of Grants: 9 months, beginning in August or September. Candidates appointed to certain types of Fulbright grants may be required to arrive during the summer for a pre-academic course or intensive English program prior to the academic year.
Additional documents which must be mailed in hard copy by registered mail and post marked no later than May 12, 2018 include:
- xerox copy of “domovnica” (not certified)
- xerox copy of master’s degree (not certified), or letter confirming enrollment in a doctoral program in Croatia (original)
- original letter from employer confirming employment in Croatia (in English or Croatian)
Please mail to:
American Embassy, Public Affairs Office
attn. Fulbright Croatia Program
Ulica Thomasa Jeffersona 2, 10010 Zagreb
Questions about the Fulbright competition can be addressed to FulbrightCroatia@state.gov.
No inquires will be accepted by phone, social media, or any other method.
For more information, please visit: hr.usembassy.gov