U.S. Scholars

core Fulbright Scholar Program

As reviewers take into account the basic objectives of the Fulbright Scholar Program, they apply the following criteria:

Professional Qualifications

• Training, academic rank and position
• Reputation as a scholar, artist or professional
• Teaching ability, as evidenced by the teaching report and other references, course syllabi, pedagogical approach, teaching awards and participation in innovative teaching or curriculum projects
• Quality of professional accomplishments, as evidenced through publications, research grants, exhibition records and papers delivered at conferences
  

Lecturing Activity

• Match of academic, professional or artistic expertise to the award
• Appropriateness of proposed courses to proposed host institution
• Evidence of host institution interest and affiliation, if indicated in the award description

Research Activity

• Merits of the proposal
• Research design and methodology
• Feasibility in terms of resources and amount of time allocated to the project
• Significance to the applicant's field and professional development
• Significance to the interests and needs of the host country
• Need for residence in host country to accomplish the project
• Evidence of host institution interest and affiliation, if indicated in award description

Language Proficiency Report

• Proficiency in language required or recommended for lecturing or lecturing/research award, if applicable
• Proficiency in language required to complete research project, if applicable

Previous Experience Abroad

• Preference is generally given to candidates who have not had substantial recent experience abroad in the country to which they are applying (see eligibility and basic objectives). Substantial experience may be defined as study, teaching, research or employment for a period aggregating more than an academic year (nine months) during the past five years.
• A candidate who has resided abroad for five or more consecutive years in the six-year period preceding the date of application is ineligible for a grant. For the purpose of this section, a candidate who has lived outside the United States for nine months or more during a calendar year is deemed to have resided abroad for that year.
• In-country residence at the time of application or a recent extended stay may reduce chances for an award to that country. Duty abroad in the U.S. Armed Forces, however, is not considered disqualifying within the meaning of this section.

Previous Fulbright Awards

• Where there is competition for grants, preference will be given to candidates who have not had previous Fulbright grants, especially within the past ten years. See important message from the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board about newly adopted eligibility guidelines for all those applying for awards in the 2007-2008 year and all years beyond.

Personal Qualities

• Collegiality, adaptability, cultural sensitivity and ability to serve as a cultural ambassador.

Geographic Distribution

• Other factors being equal, and to the extent possible, applicants are chosen to represent a broad geographic distribution, by both home state and type of institution.

Veterans of Military Service

• Preference is given to veterans when other factors are equivalent.