International Fulbright Science and Technology Award for Outstanding Foreign PhD Students beginning in fall 2009

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is pleased to announce the opening of the worldwide competition for the FY 2009 International Fulbright Science and Technology Award for outstanding foreign students. Last year's competition for this significant new program produced an extremely talented group of candidates whom leading U.S. scientists on the review and selection panels deemed outstanding. The award is designed to be among the most prestigious international scholarships in science and technology. The International Fulbright Science and Technology award is for Ph.D. study at top U.S. institutions in science, technology, or engineering.

Approximately 40 awards will be competed worldwide for candidates who demonstrate unique aptitude and innovation in scientific fields.

BACKGROUND: The United States remains the most attractive destination for serious scientific and technological research and study. The Department views this program as an important step to sustain that position. The International Fulbright Science and Technology Award reaffirms America's pre-eminence and competitiveness in the fields of science, technology, and engineering. According to a congressionally requested report by the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering and Institute of Medicine, entitled “Rising Above The Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future,” "In a world where advanced knowledge is widespread and low-cost labor is readily available, U.S. advantages in the marketplace and in science and technology have begun to erode." The International Fulbright Science and Technology Award was first announced at the U.S. University Presidents Summit on International Education in January 2006 in response to this critical need.

Winners of FY 2008 Awards came from 35 countries (with all world regions represented) and represent a wide variety of fields in science, technology and engineering, including biology, computer science, mathematics, mechanical engineering, neuroscience, and physics.

PROGRAM DESIGN: ECA is now soliciting nominations for candidates to participate in the FY 2009 International Fulbright Science and Technology Program. Grantees will be enrolled for Ph.D. study at top U.S. universities in the fields of science, technology, or engineering for academic year 2009-2010.

ELIGIBLE FIELDS: aeronautics and astronomics/aeronautical engineering, astronomy/planetary sciences, biology, biomedical engineering, chemistry, computer sciences/engineering, energy, engineering (electrical, chemical, civil, mechanical, ocean, and petroleum), environmental science/engineering, geology/earth and atmospheric sciences, information sciences and systems (engineering focus only), materials science/engineering, mathematics, neuroscience/brain and cognitive sciences, oceanography, public health (theoretical research focus only) and physics. (Please note: A brief description of each field of study is available at http://foreign.fulbrightonline.org/scienceandtech

FUNDING: The Office of Academic Exchange Programs (ECA/A/E) will fund grants for up to three years for this award. After three years, U.S. universities will be expected to cover the remaining expenses toward completion of a Ph.D.

PLACEMENT TO INSTITUTIONS: Placement of students will be handled by the Institute of International Education (IIE).

ELIGIBILITY: Applicants must be citizens of countries where there is an active Fulbright Foreign Student Program and must apply through the Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section in their country of citizenship. Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree before August 1, 2009, and be proficient in English with a recent TOEFL score (or equivalent) of 580 or higher. A GRE General Exam score report is requested for nominees prior to presentation of applications to U.S. screening committees. A nominee is expected to achieve a quantitative score of at least 700. (Note: a GRE Subject Exam score report will also be needed for all selected candidates in the following fields of study: biology; biochemistry, cell, and molecular biology; chemistry; computer science; mathematics; and physics.) Test vouchers for exams will be provided for all nominees. Nominees should be registered for exams as soon as possible in order to ensure that test scores can be sent to IIE by August 1, 2008.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Each applicant will be required to submit an online application at https://apply.embark.com/student/fulbright/international , along with all supporting documents.

Please inform the Embassy about your intention to apply by April 10, 2008, contact person Jane Susi, SusiJ@state.gov, 6688 155. This is important for planning the test vouchers. A complete application includes:

- An online application which includes:

a clearly written research objective

a professional resume

a completed Fulbright committee nomination advice form

- Three letters of reference (submitted electronically and attached to the online application or official paper copies sent by mail)

- Official (or scanned and attached to the online application; official paper transcripts should also be sent at a later date) academic transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended

- Score reports (as soon as available but prior to U.S. screening committee review)

- TOEFL or IELTS or other English language proficiency exam (when required)

- General GRE exam

- GRE Subject exam (if applicable and available)

For testing information, please contact the Educational Advising and Testing Centers at Tallinn Technical University and the Tartu University Library.

Deadline for applications is June 1, 2008, but Embassy must be informed of your application intention by the above mentioned April 10 date, since submission in through Embassy only. Interview at the Embassy will follow close to the date.

For more information on the program please feel free to contact the American Embassy Public Affairs Section at 668-8155 or e-mail SusiJ@state.gov (Jane Susi).