THE FULBRIGHT SCHOLAR PROGRAMS ARE NOW OPEN

By: U. S. Embassy in Croatia

Photo: Fulbright

This is a joint program of the U.S. Department of State and the Government of Croatia. The program is administered in Croatia by the U.S. Embassy, in cooperation with the Ministry of Science, Education, and Sports. Application for the Fulbright Student Program (Pre-Doctoral Research) in the United States (Non-Degree): https://apply.iie.org/ffsp2020

General Information

The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. The Fulbright Program was established in 1946 under legislation introduced by former Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas.

Application Deadline: May 10, 2019. Nature of Grants: All Fulbright grants are research only. Please read all instructions and information carefully before completing.

Grant Terms

Grants are awarded for a period of 2 semesters (9 months) for pre-doctoral applicants. Grant benefits include: Air fare; limited accident and sickness insurance; and a monthly maintenance grant.

Eligibility Requirements

-Completed master’s degree, or enrollment into doctoral program in Croatia

-Proficiency in English

-Croatian citizenship

Preference is given to candidates without recent academic experience in the United States. Following the technical review of applications, candidates will be invited for a personal interview with a bi-national panel in mid-June. Skype or phone interviews will NOT be available.

NOT ELIGIBLE: Persons holding permanent residence in the United States (green card); persons who are citizens of the United States. Previous recipients of Fulbright/Humphrey/JFDP/Ron Brown scholarships (U.S. Government funded academic programs) are NOT eligible to apply.

Fulbright grantees enter the United States on an exchange visitor (J-1) visa under a Department of State program, which requires them to return to their home countries for a minimum of two years at the end of the grant period.

IMPORTANT for post-doc and pre-doc categories in the fields of medicine and dental medicine: scholarship recipients will not be able to conduct any clinical work and, together with their U.S. mentor, they will be required to sign a statement to that effect. Previous applicants must register with different e-mail address and complete a new application.

Instructions

Applications should be completed in English and submitted online at: https://apply.iie.org/ffsp2020. Each page of the application carries its own instructions, which should be read carefully.

Every question must be answered completely and carefully. Please make every effort to limit your responses to the space provided. Completed applications should be submitted by May 10, 2019. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Standardized Tests

All pre-doctoral (student) finalists will be required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) in September and will receive instructions on how to apply after the interview. The test is administered in Zagreb.

Confidential Letters of Reference: Three references must be sent electronically directly into the on-line application. All letters of reference should be written by teachers under whom you have studied or pursued research or by someone who has supervised you in work related to your proposed field of study.  At least one academic and one professional or work-related letter must be included among the three letters you provide. The letters of reference must be written in English and submitted electronically by May 10 to the application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that reference reports are submitted by the deadline. Additional documents that must be e-mailed to [email protected] no later than May 10, 2019.

When composing curriculum vitae (use American CV format rather than European), it is important to include:

-education (universities attended, degrees held)

-positions held, starting with present position

-courses taught and other services provided to students and the home institution

-publications

-other professional activities, such as workshops, seminars and consultations

-membership and activities in professional associations

-professional honors, awards and fellowships

-community service.

Project Statement:

Preparing the Project Statement

The project statement is the most important part of the Fulbright application. Scholars with the most compelling, theoretically sound, well-written, feasible proposals are generally recommended for awards. In order to ensure a more complete application, your proposed project, as well as the strategy for completing it, should be thoroughly explained.

Factors to Address in the Project Statement

Clearly define your objectives and the methodology you will employ. Indicate whether you will use interviews, library or archival research, or laboratory experiments to accomplish your project.

Place your project in academic or professional context by referring to leading works by others on the topic if that information is available. Explain the significance of the project for the field and your own professional development.

Explain why residence in the United States is necessary to carry out the project. Comment, if applicable, on the adequacy or inadequacy of research facilities and library resources in your own country and on the need to use specific collections in the United States.

Describe arrangements you have made, for affiliation or collaboration. Secure a letter of invitation from a U.S. host institution testifying to the merits and feasibility of the proposal. Scholars who have studied previously in the United States should avoid seeking affiliation at their U.S. alma mater because candidates are encouraged to expand their contacts within the U.S. academic community.

Discuss how your project can be completed within the time period you have available. Indicate how you will disseminate the results of your research both in the United States and in your home country.

Arrangements for Affiliation with a Host Institution

One of the most important requirements of the Fulbright Program is a formal affiliation at a U.S. university or research institution. In many cases, applicants are in touch with colleagues at U.S. institutions and have made preliminary plans for their own placements. However, if you are unable to make these preliminary contacts, you are encouraged to identify two or three institutions that have appropriate facilities for the kind of research you wish to undertake and faculty specialized in your research interests. When determining which institutions to contact, do not limit yourself to only the most well-known U.S. universities. There are many U.S. universities that may not be known to you, but have appropriate facilities for scholars to conduct research. We have observed that scholars placed in these smaller and less renowned institutions often are given greater attention than their colleagues who are affiliated with more well-known universities.  If program officers find that the preferred institutions listed by the student are not suitable for the work proposed or no strong professional reasons are given for wanting a particular institution, the program officer will request placement at another institution after consulting with staff, former U.S. Fulbright Students, and other sources. Through Public Affairs Offices of U.S. embassies, students are notified of the arrangements made for their affiliation in the United States and of recommended starting dates.

Other Important Information

Duration of Grants: 9 months, beginning in August or September. Candidates appointed to certain types of Fulbright grants may be required to arrive during the summer for a pre-academic course or intensive English program prior to the academic year.

Additional documents must be e-mailed to [email protected]  no later than May 10, 2019 (midnight) include:

-copy of “domovnica” (not certified)

-copy of master’s degree (not certified), or letter confirming enrollment in a doctoral program in Croatia (original)

-letter from employer confirming employment in Croatia (in English or Croatian)

Application forms and instructions on how to fill out your application can be found at: https://apply.iie.org/ffsp2020 or https://foreign.fulbrightonline.org/.

For additional information please contact:

Public Affairs Office/Fulbright Program
e-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 385-1-661-2206