Educational Exchange

The Public Affairs Section, American Embassy Singapore, is pleased to announce the 2009 competition for the Fulbright International Science and Technology Award for Singapore citizens to pursue Ph.D. study in science, technology or engineering at top institutions in the United States.

HISTORY

The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. Government.   Established in 1946 under legislation introduced by the late Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas, and administered by the Department of State and the Institute of International Education (IIE), the Fulbright program is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.  With this goal in mind, the Fulbright Program has provided approximately 300,000 participants with the opportunity to exchange ideas and observe each other's cultures and political and economic institutions.

Now in its third year, the International Fulbright Science and Technology Award is designed to enable outstanding and talented international students to pursue scientific and technological research and study at top institutions in the United States.  The Science and Technology Award is open to Singaporeans for the first time for the Fiscal Year 2009 program.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

The program operates on the principles of autonomy and open competition based on individual merit, without regard to the individual’s institutional affiliation, race, color or creed.  Recipients are chosen through a rigorous, multi-tiered, merit-based selection process consisting of in-country competition and review, field and discipline merit review by top-level U.S. academic leaders, and nomination by a blue ribbon Advisory Panel, which includes university deans and presidents.  Final selection is made by the Presidentially-appointed Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.

The International Fulbright Science and Technology Award seeks to allow talented individuals to pursue scientific study and research in the United States and to develop leaders who can contribute to promoting better understanding between the United States and Singapore.  We encourage grantees to participate and engage in non-academic activities within the community in which they are pursuing their studies.  Upon returning to Singapore, Fulbrighters are expected to continue their role in building bridges of understanding, directly or indirectly, between the two countries through their professional and personal activities.

FIELDS OF STUDY

• Aeronautics and Astronomics/Aeronautical Engineering
• Astronomy/Planetary Sciences
• Biology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Chemistry
• Computer Sciences/Engineering
• Energy
• Engineering (electrical, chemical, civil, mechanical, ocean, and petroleum)
• Environmental Science/Engineering
• Geology/Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
• Information Sciences/Engineering (engineering focus only; business-focused study is not eligible)
• Materials Science/Engineering
• Mathematics
• Neuroscience/Brain and Cognitive Sciences
• Oceanography
• Physics
• Public Health (theoretical focus only)

BENEFITS

All awards are subject to budget appropriations from the United States Government.  Selected grantees of the Science and Technology Award will be funded by the U.S. Government for up to three years and will receive the following:

• Tuition and fees;
• A monthly stipend for up to 36 months;
• Book and equipment, research and professional conference allowances;
• J-1 visa sponsorship for up to five years;
• Round-trip airfare from fellow’s home city to the host institution in the United States;
• Health and accident coverage as per U.S. Government guidelines; and
• Specially tailored enrichment activities.
• After three years, the host U.S. university will be expected to cover the remaining expenses toward completion of the Ph.D.  Study must begin Fall term 2009.

Eligibility

The Science and Technology grants are intended for Ph.D. study for individuals who meet the following criteria:

• Citizenship - Applicants must be Singapore citizens.
• Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree on or before August 1, 2009.  It is highly recommended that applicants receive a bachelor’s degree in the same or a related field for which they plan to pursue Ph.D. study.
• Applicants are required to take the GRE and are expected to achieve a quantitative score of at least 700.  (Note: a GRE Subject Exam score report will also be needed for all selected candidates in the following fields of study: biology; biochemistry, cell, and molecular biology; chemistry; computer science; mathematics; and physics.)
• Leadership potential with exceptional promise.
• Outstanding academic records and preparation in the chosen field.
• High level of English verbal and written fluency.
• Good health - While no written report is required to apply, a candidate is required to submit a health report and obtain medical clearance before becoming a grantee.

You are ineligible if you:

• are currently studying, researching or lecturing at American universities;
• are currently working in the United States;
• have previously received a Fulbright award; or
• only plan to pursue non-degree study.

Application Procedure and Competition Schedule

Preliminary Application - if you meet the above criteria and are interested in the objectives of the International Fulbright Science and Technology Award, please mail a copy of your curriculum vitae, post-secondary transcripts, and a one-page research objective to the Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy, 27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508 or email to Singaporefulbright@state.gov.  The deadline for the preliminary application is April 4, 2008.

After preliminary review, applicants who meet basic requirements and clear the initial screening will be invited to submit detailed Fulbright application materials.

Detailed information about the Award including a list of frequently asked questions is available at http://foreign.fulbrightonline.org/scienceandtech.html.