REPORT OF THE AWARENESS PROGRAMME CONDUCTED AT ACE ON THE VARIOUS FULBRIGHT FELLOWSHIPS

The English club of Annammal College of Education invited Ms.Lalitha Nagesweri, Administrative co-ordinator of USIEF, Chennai centre in US Consulate to address the faculty members about the various grants and fellowships that are available in USIEF.  The college has invited faculty members from the nearby colleges and the following are the list of participants from other institutions –

V O Chidambaram College    - 2
V O Chidambaram College of Education – 2
St.Mary’s College                   - 3
APC Mahalakshmi College – 1
Chandy College of Education - 2

All the faculty members of ACE attended the presentation.  The Principal of the college Dr.A.Fiby Raj welcomed the presenter and the audience.

            The presenter delivered the history, vision and mission of USIEF and she mentioned the various categories of available grants to Indian scholars, researchers and professionals.  Following are the fellowships that are suitable for college teachers. 

 Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships

Duration	Major Areas	Designed for
Up to  2 years ($ 80 K funding cap inclusive of all expenses)	•         Arts •         Environmental Science/Studies •         Higher Education •         Women’s Studies/Gender Studies	For outstanding and highly motivated individuals with at least three years professional work experience, and are committed to return and contribute to their communities.

 Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships

Duration	Major Areas	Designed for
6 to 9 months	Education	Scholars registered for a Ph.D. at an Indian institution for at least one year prior to the date of application

 Fulbright-Nehru Postdoctoral Research Fellowships

Duration	Major Areas	Designed for
8 to 24 months	Education	Faculty and researchers who have a Ph.D. degree between July, 2009 and July, 2013.

 Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Fellowships

Duration	Major Areas	Designed for
4-9 months	Education	Faculty, researchers and professionals to teach, research or a combination of teaching and research at a U.S. institution.

 Tips for Writing Research Proposal:

·         Provide clear and detailed description of research objectives

·         Demonstrate the significance of the project in relation to India/U.S. and justify your need to pursue it in the U.S.

·         Explain how your project can be completed within the time frame

·         Show how your research proposal fits-in with your previous training/research and future objectives

·         Mention U.S. universities at which you would prefer to be affiliated or have corresponded with, stating specific reasons for the preference 

Fulbright Scholar-in- Residence

Duration	Major Areas	Designed for
Semester or an academic year	Inter-disciplinary programs that focus on global issues with cross-cultural or international perspective	Scholars and professionals to lecture at U.S. small liberal arts colleges, minority-serving institutions  Note: U.S. institutions submit proposals to invite scholars

 Hosting U.S. Scholars

Under the Fulbright Senior Specialists Program, Indian Universities and other institutions of higher learning can collaborate with a US faculty member or professional for a period of two to six weeks

Prerequisites for Fulbright Applicants – Indian Nationals

• High level of academic/professional achievements
• Proficiency in English language
• Present in India at the time of submitting the application
• If employed, applications should be routed through proper channel and applicants should be eligible for leave
• Not have been in the U.S. during the past three years on a teaching/research/study assignment for a continuous period of three months or more

Tips on preparing the application

·         Follow instructions and adhere to word limits

·         Submit a clear and complete project statement that reflects your purpose and intent

·         Ensure that your qualifications and expertise match your project objectives

·         Emphasize how your project will benefit the host institution Demonstrate preparedness: connect your past experience to what you are proposing to do during Fulbright

·         Give reasons for your choice of U.S. institutions

The presentation in the college began sharp at 2.30pm and came to an end at 4pm with a discussion.  The presenter Mrs.Lalitha Nagesweri insisted the faculty members to keep in touch with USIEF website and to send applications.  The meeting came to an end with a vote of thanks delivered by Mrs.R.Suryakala.