Educational Exchange

Inaugural

2008-2009 Fulbright ASEAN Visiting Scholars Program

The United States Government is pleased to announce the inaugural competition for the Fulbright ASEAN Visiting Scholars Program.  This year marks the 30th anniversary of the U.S. relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).  Since the first dialogue in Manila in 1977, the relationship has evolved from one focused primarily on defense issues to one more broadly balanced between political-military objectives and economic goals.

As the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. Government, the Fulbright Program is designed, in the words of U.S. Government legislation, “to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.”  With this goal in mind, since its inception more than fifty years ago, the Fulbright Program has provided more than 278,000 participants with the opportunity to observe each other’s political and economic institutions and cultures and to exchange ideas.

The purpose of this new initiative is to provide opportunities for travel to the United States for scholarly and professional research on issues central to the ASEAN-U.S. relationship.  For the inaugural Fulbright ASEAN Visiting Scholars Program, interested individuals from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand are invited to apply.  University faculty, foreign ministry and government officials, professionals in think tanks and other NGOs whose work focuses on ASEAN-U.S. issues are eligible to apply.  Fields of inquiry may include economics, political economy, foreign policy, international relations, and history, including such relevant sub-specialties as security, trade, and cultural issues directly related to the ASEAN-U.S. relationship.

Projects

Proposals should be carefully-developed projects that will contribute to the existing scholarship of one or more aspects of the ASEAN-U.S. 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 United States can be sustained after the formal grant period has ended.  In addition, grantees will be encouraged to seek opportunities to voice the Southeast Asian perspective during their time in the United States through guest lectures, seminars, or participation in academic or professional conferences.  Applicants are strongly encouraged to explore affiliations with U.S. institutions, including universities, think tanks and research institutes.  Letters of invitation will enable program organizers to make the most suitable affiliations on behalf of applicants.

Duration and Award Terms

The award periods are flexible and should be congruent with the needs of the proposed project.  The minimum period of the award is two months, the maximum six months.  Interested applicants should indicate the expected grant length in their proposal.

The research should be conducted between September 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009.  The grant will cover a monthly stipend, together with round trip international airfare (economy class) on an American carrier, and a book and incidental allowance.  A small travel allowance for travel within the United States will also be available.  A small additional sum will be available for one dependent for grant periods of three months or more.

Eligibility

A.  Applicants must be Singapore citizens.

B.  Applicants are expected to have a significant record of scholarly or professional accomplishment.

C.  Preference will be given to qualified applicants who have not had recent and substantial experience in the United States.

D.  Applicants below 45 years of age at the time of application are preferred.

E.  Good health.  Applicants selected for a Fulbright grant are required to submit a Medical History and Examination Report before their grants can be finalized.

Application Procedure and Competition Schedule

• September 2007 – Competition opens.
• October 5, 2007 – Deadline for applicants to submit their curriculum vitae and one-page proposed project.  After preliminary review, applicants who meet basic requirements and whose proposals are relevant to programs as outlined above will be sent program application forms.
• December 3, 2007 – Deadline for submission of completed application.
• Mid-December 2007 – Notification of candidacy by Embassy.
• March/April 2008 (projected) – Notification of candidacy by Fulbright Scholarship Board, Washington D.C.
• May/June 2008 (projected) – Confirmation of candidacy.

For further details about the Fulbright competition, please contact:

Coordinator
Fulbright Program Singapore
Office of Public Affairs
American Embassy Singapore
27 Napier Road
Singapore 258508

Tel: 6476-9240
Fax: 6476-9035
Email: Singaporefulbright@state.gov