Fulbright US - ASEAN visiting scholar program academic year 2016 - 2017

(VNF) - Outstanding Vietnamese candidates are now able to participate in the Fulbright US - ASEAN visiting scholar program academic year 2016 - 2017.

The scholar initiative is open to university faculty, foreign ministry or other government officials, and professional staff of the private sector, think tanks, and other NGOs in the ASEAN member states to travel to the US for scholarly and professional research for three to four months on issues that are relevant to ASEAN and central to the US-ASEAN relationship.

According to a press release issued by the US Embassy Hanoi on July 24th, the proposals should be carefully developed projects that will deepen the applicant’s understanding of one or more aspects of the US - ASEAN relationship. While it is expected that the majority of time will be spent in research, grantees are also encouraged to expand and develop their network of professional contacts so that professional relationships established during the grantee’s time in the US can be sustained after the formal grant period has ended.

In addition, grantees will be expected to seek opportunities to provide an ASEAN perspective during their time in the US through guest lectures, seminars, or participation in academic or professional conferences. All applicants are urged to explore possible affiliations with US institutions, including universities, think tanks, and research institutes, in advance of submitting their formal applications. Letters of invitation will enable program organizers to make the most suitable affiliations.

Reflecting an enduring commitment to the Asia-Pacific region, the US has elevated its engagement across Asia as a strategic priority. A central pillar of that strategy is to work more closely with multilateral institutions such as ASEAN. The objective of the scholar Initiative is to deepen people-to-people engagement and strengthen our educational ties. After 4 years, as many as 26 scholars from all 10 ASEAN member states have been awarded scholarships to pursue studies focused on a wide range of subjects including teaching English as a second language, maritime security, climate change, health, political security, and wildlife trafficking.

Candidates may apply to conduct research in fields that are of interest and relevance to Vietnam and will support ASEAN initiatives such as supporting regional economic integration, expanding maritime cooperation, promoting opportunities for women, fostering green growth, and addressing transnational challenges (including human trafficking, climate change, sustainable fishing, wildlife trafficking, and countering violent extremism).

These fields can include education, environmental sciences, financial market integration, food technology, information sciences, journalism, law, political science, public administration, public/global health, statistics, trade and investment, trade facilitation, TEFL & applied linguistics.

Applicants will be expected to have a significant record of scholarly or professional accomplishment; they must be citizens of one of the ten ASEAN member states; be proficient in English. Preference will be given to qualified applicants who have not had recent and substantial experience in the US. Applicants must be residing in an ASEAN member state throughout the nomination and selection process, and they must return to an ASEAN country upon completion of their US stay.

Applicants are ineligible who are currently teaching, studying, or conducting research in the US, or who have received a Fulbright grant within the past five years, have received a J-1 visa in the category of Professor/Research Scholar within the past two years.

Candidates will access the on-line application at https://apply.embark.com/student/fulbright/scholars/30/). Only online applications will be considered.

Deadline is October 23rd./.

( VNF )