FULBRIGHT JUNIOR STAFF DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM , MOZAMBIQUE , 2014

FULBRIGHT JUNIOR STAFF DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS:  MAY 5, 2014 

 PRELIMINARY APPLICATION FORM  

Program Description

The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. Government.  Administered by the Department of State and the Institute of International Education (IIE), the program is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. The Fulbright Scholarship program is designed for professionals with academic excellence, great leadership skills, civic spirit, and demonstrated dedication to public service.

The Fulbright Junior Staff Development Program is the largest Fulbright program in Africa and is designed primarily to strengthen African universities through higher degree training.   This program will award junior university faculty and professionals scholarships for advanced degrees in the United States.  Applications are also accepted from prospective candidates in public and private educational and cultural institutions, independent research institutes, and professional institutions. Recent graduates, women, and those from under-served communities are especially encouraged to apply.  Grantees selected for degree study will be funded for a maximum of 2 years.  All awards are contingent upon approval by the J. William Fulbright Scholarship Board (FSB), availability of funds, and successful academic placement.

Eligible Fields of Study

Technology,  journalism/ public relations/ media studies, agriculture/food science, business, economics, environmental science, international relations, journalism, political science, public administration/policy, public health, natural resources and environmental management, public health and policy/management, law, engineering and education 

Eligibility Criteria

Applications are considered in a transparent, merit-based competition. Candidates must:

• be citizens or nationals of Mozambique, or permanent residents holding a valid Mozambican passport.
• have at least the equivalent of 4 years of university study and the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree.
• have a sufficient level of English proficiency to enable them to realistically accomplish full-time graduate level study in the U.S.
• meet the minimum score on required standardized tests.
• be highly motivated and have a serious commitment to completing the program as scheduled and returning to Mozambique.

Preference will be given to applicants with no extensive or recent U.S. experience.

The following are not eligible to apply:

• Medical studies candidates who wish to pursue internships, residencies, or studies in medicine. Candidates with medical degrees may receive grants for advanced academic study only (e.g., Master’s degrees in public health).
• Previous Fulbright Student Program  or Humphrey Program grant recipients (with the exception of  Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program alumni).
• Current local employees of U.S. missions abroad employed by the U.S. Department of State. Mission employees may apply for the Fulbright program one year after the termination of employment. 

Degree Objective and Grant Duration

Awards are granted as follows:

• 1 to 2 years of study towards either a Master’s or  Ph.D. degree.  Eligible grantees may apply for one renewal grant to continue their Fulbright funding for up to an additional 12 months to continue in an approved academic program. Extensions may also be authorized to allow a student to complete an authorized program with funding from non-Fulbright sources.  Note:Applicants at the Master’s level will be given priority.
•  Participation in an academic year (9-10 months) non-degree research program. (Grants are not renewable). 

FundingFulbright funding is limited to two years for both Master’s and Ph.D. grantees.  Fulbright grants cover full costs for round-trip travel, insurance coverage, tuition and fees, maintenance allowance, books and supplies, and course-required field trips.  Depending on availability of Fulbright funds, grant awards may also include a pre-academic orientation in the first year.

Standardized Tests

Individuals selected as semi-finalists will be required to take the standardized tests below. Their test fees will be paid by the U.S. Department of State. The JSD competition is extremely competitive, particularly in the fields of journalism; communication; business administration; sciences such as chemistry, biology, physics; and engineering related disciplines.  High test scores for JSD applicants in these fields as well as for ALL Ph.D. candidates in general are crucial. Selected candidates should familiarize themselves with the official test form and utilize practice tests and available online resources to prepare.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - A minimum required TOEFL score for Fulbright Master’s candidates is usually 550 on paper-based tests (PBT) and 80 on internet-based tests (IBT). Ph.D. candidates are expected to score a minimum of 600 on PBT or 100 on IBT; however, this varies by field of study. Consideration will be given for a limited number of Master’s degree nominees with a TOEFL score in the range of 500-533 PBT/61-72 IBT to be placed in an intensive pre-academic English language training program prior to placement in a Master’s degree program. More information on the TOEFL is available athttp://www.ets.org/toefl .

Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) – GRE is required for those seeking admission in all fields except law and business.  Business candidates must take the GMAT, while law candidates are required to take only the TOEFL.  Fulbright applicants should score above the fiftieth percentile in both sections of the GRE. A minimum 550 GMAT score is required for Master’s candidates  in business and a minimum score of 600 is required for Ph.D. candidates.  More information on the GRE and GMAT is available athttp://www.ets.org/gre and www.mba.com .

Grantees placed in intensive English language training must retake the GRE/GMAT and TOEFL during the language training period and qualify for Master’s degree placement.  Grantees unsuccessful in gaining admission to a Master's program within the allowable period will return home with a certificate of participation in the Intensive English Program.

Process and Selection Criteria

Fulbright Grants are highly competitive and several stages of review are necessary to make the final selection of participants. Applicants must fulfill the eligibility criteria outlined above to be considered. Applications are due by 17:30 on Monday, May 5. Qualified candidates will be interviewed in English by the U.S. Embassy Selection Committee in late May. Semi-finalists selected from this group will be required to take the required standardized tests shortly thereafter. Those whose scores allow them to continue in the competition will be required to complete a more detailed online application, which will be sent to Washington, D.C for final approval in September. The Institute of International Education (IIE) will seek university placement of successful candidates. Awards and university placement will be announced in March/April for programs beginning in August/September 2015. Finalists who require additional English training may be required to attend and successfully complete an intensive English program before they are placed in an academic degree program.

To Submit an Application:

Before completing and submitting an application, read carefully the instructions on the application form. A complete application package will include the following:

• Preliminary Application Form  
• Certified copies of transcripts (with certified English translation)
• Certified copies of diploma (with certified English translation)
• Three signed letters of recommendation (with certified English translation if necessary). Recommendation letters should be written by people who know you well, such as teachers or employers. They should not come from friends or relatives. Your references should send their letters directly to the American Cultural Center via e-mail, post, or in-person to the addresses listed below. Copies of the recommendations letters may be submitted with your application materials.  
• Copy of TOEFL or IELTS score report (if previously taken).
• Resume or CV in English
• A copy of the biographical page of your passport or photo identification. 

Applications submitted in electronic format (PDF) via email are preferred, however printed documents will also be accepted by post or in person.

To submit an application by e-mail, send materials toMaputoExchangePrograms@state.gov with your name and ‘2015 Fulbright Program’ in the subject line.  

Applications may also be submitted in person to the Information Resource Center at the:

2015 Fulbright Program
Centro Americano Martin Luther King
Av. Mao Tse Tung, 542
Maputo, Mozambique

For more information on the Fulbright Program or for announcements of upcoming information sessions, e-mail MaputoExchangePrograms@state.gov , visit our Facebook page athttp://www.facebook.com/U.S.EmbassyMaputo , or visithttp://foreign.fulbrightonline.org/

DEADLINE TO APPLY: Monday, May 5, 2014 by 17:30