Purpose and Scope:

For over 50 years the Fulbright Scholar Program has offered grants for college and university faculty, as well as for professionals and independent scholars, to lecture and conduct research in countries around the globe. Thousands of American scholars have participated since the program inception in 1946. The goal of the Fulbright Scholar Program is ... to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries ... and thus to assist in the development of friendly, sympathetic, and peaceful relations between the United States and other countries of the world. Some 700 senior scholar awards in over 120 countries are offered in each competition. Approximately one-quarter are for research and three-quarters for lecturing, combined lecturing and research, or seminar participation. Multicountry research can be conducted in some regions. There are also seminars, distinguished lecturing grants, and Fulbright chair appointments, as well as other awards with special features. The Fulbright Scholar Program is open to a variety of participants. Every academic rank-from instructor to professor emeritus-is represented. Untenured faculty and professionals outside academe are encouraged to apply. Academic administrators regularly receive Fulbrights, as do independent scholars, artists, and professionals from the private and public sectors (lawyers, government officials, journalists, research scientists, and others). Each year grantees come from approximately 500 colleges and universities and public and private agencies in the 50 states. Other Fulbright programs provide grants for a wide range of participants, including college students, elementary- and secondary-level educators, and groups of faculty. See the inside back cover of this booklet for a complete listing of other Fulbright programs.

Overview of Opportunities:

Based upon goverment-to-goverment exchange agreements, the Fulbright Scholar Program offers a variety of opportunities for lecturing and research abroad through country, regional, and special programs. In nearly 50 countries an in-country binational Fulbright commission determines award openings and grant benefits and plays a role in the final selection of grantees. In the remaining countries, these functions are handled directly by the US. Information Agency (USIA) in Washington, D.C., and by the US. Information Service at US. embassies. Awards are distributed by country and region, vary in activity and length of stay, are sometimes tied to very specific appointments, and at other times are unrestricted. A key to understanding what the Fulbright Scholar Program offers is the distinction between "prescribed" and "open" award opportunities:

• Prescribed awards, particularly for lecturing, identify areas of specialization, host institution affiliation, and the type and level of the Fulbright assignment. These awards generally reflect the priorities and special interests of the host country and universities.
• Open awards allow candidates to propose their own lecturing or research endeavors and host affiliations in many disciplines or in any field, or within certain fields, for example, in the social sciences and humanities.

The level of competition varies among country programs and award offerings. As a general rule, many countries in Europe and several countries in the Pacific regularly attract a large number of highly qualified applicants. The competition in other regions can often be less stiff, and prospects for a grant may be more favorable. Even for highly competitive countries, certain awards may be in great demand, while others may be undersubscribed. In all countries, research awards tend to be more competitive than lecturing or combined lecturing/research awards. Grant benefits vary by program and type of award. A standard benefits structure is utilized for programs in many countries. Binational Fulbright commissions have established grant benefits in other countries.

If you are interested in applying to The Fullbright Scholar Program, please contact the CWU Office of International Studies and Programs or the USIA Fulbright Senior Scholar Program at:

USIA Fulbright Senior Scholar Program
Council for International Exchange of Scholars
3007 Tilden Street, NW, Suite 5L
Washington, DC 20008-3009