Applications are invited for Postgraduate, Postdoctoral, Professional and Senior Scholarships in any academic discipline, as well as a Distinguished Chair in Agriculture & Life Sciences. Applications for the 2017 round of scholarships are open from 1 May to 1 August 2016.

The Fulbright Program is one of the largest and most prestigious educational scholarship programs in the world, enabling students, academics and professionals to undertake research or study in the United States. Established in Australia in 1949 through a bi-national treaty between the Australian and US Governments, the program has supported almost 4,800 scholarships. The mission of the Australian-American Fulbright Commission is to promote mutual understanding through educational and cultural exchange between Australia and the United States. Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarships are available to Australian citizens to engage in 8 – 10 months of research relevant to an Australian

The mission of the Australian-American Fulbright Commission is to promote mutual understanding through educational and cultural exchange between Australia and the United States. Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarships are available to Australian citizens to engage in 8 – 10 months of research relevant to an Australian Ph.D.or undertake an approved course of study in an American higher degree. These scholarships are aimed at current Ph.D. students, honours students, or honours graduates who are considering postgraduate study in the U.S. Postgraduate, Postdoctoral, Professional and Senior Scholar candidates in any academic discipline are invited to apply for a Fulbright Scholarship.

Australian Postgraduate Scholarships

The Fulbright Postgraduate scholarship allows postgraduate students undertaking their Australian Ph.D. to conduct a period of research and/or study in the US; or supports enrollment in a U.S. postgraduate program such as a Masters degree.

Scholarship Award:

• Living, travel & establishment allowances for a program of 8-10 months duration
• ASPE medical insurance of up to A$100,000 (for the Scholar only)
• National Orientation Program, Showcase Evening & Presentation Dinner
• Enrichment Seminars in the United States with international Fulbright Scholars
• Access to a professional network of distinguished U.S. and Australian Fulbright Alumni
• A support agency in the U.S. that assists with visas, events, and networks
• Media and publicity support
• Postgraduate Fulbright Scholarships are valued up to AUD$40,000

Australian Postdoctoral Scholarships

This scholarship allows researchers who have completed their Ph.D. in the past two to three years (up to five years under extenuating circumstances) to undertake postdoctoral research in the U.S.

Scholarship Award:

• Living, travel & establishment allowances for a program of 3-10 months duration at a US host institution
• ASPE medical insurance of up to A$100,000 (for the Scholar only)
• National Orientation Program, Showcase Evening & Presentation Dinner
• Enrichment Seminars in the United States with international Fulbright Scholars
• Access to a professional network of distinguished U.S. and Australian Fulbright Alumni
• A support agency in the U.S. that assists with visas, events, and networks
• Media and publicity support
• Postdoctoral Fulbright Scholarships are valued up to AUD$45,000

Fulbright Professional Scholarship

The Fulbright Professional scholarship allows mid-career professionals in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors to undertake training or research programs in the U.S.  This scholarship is also open to mid-career academics whose primary research has industry links.

Scholarship Award:

• Living and travel allowance for a program of 3-4 months duration
• Dependent Allowance where applicable
• ASPE medical insurance of up to A$100,000 (for the Scholar only)
• National Orientation Program, Showcase Evening & Presentation Dinner
• Enrichment Seminars in the United States with international Fulbright Scholars
• Access to a network of distinguished U.S. and Australian Fulbright Alumni
• A support agency in the U.S. that assists with visas, events, and networks
• Media and publicity support
• The value of Professional Fulbright Scholarships vary, see full description for details

Fulbright Senior Scholarship

The Fulbright Senior scholarship is for senior level academics (at Associate Professor or full Professor level) to undertake research at a U.S. institution.

Scholarship Award:

• Living and travel allowance for a program of 3-4 months duration (see conditions)
• Dependent Allowance, where applicable
• ASPE medical insurance of up to A$100,000 (for the Scholar only)
• National Orientation Program, Showcase Evening & Presentation Dinner
• Enrichment Seminars in the United States with international Fulbright Scholars
• Access to professional network of distinguished U.S. and Australian Fulbright Alumni Associations
• A support agency in the U.S. that assists with visas, events, and networks
• Media and publicity support
• Fulbright Senior Scholarships are valued up to AUD$32,000

Distinguished Chair Scholarship

The Fulbright Distinguished Chair in Agriculture and Life Sciences is the Fulbright Distinguished Chair Scholarship for an exceptional Australian Scholar to carry out research at Kansas State University (K-State) in the U.S.

Scholarship Award:

• Living and travel allowance for a program of 6 months duration
• Dependent Allowance where applicable (see conditions)
• Accommodation in a furnished apartment arranged by Kansas State University
• Generous travel allowance for a U.S. lecture tour to four centers of excellence
• ASPE medical insurance of up to A$100,000 (for the Scholar only)
• National Orientation Program, Showcase Evening & Presentation Dinner
• Transportation, participation, and accommodation at an enrichment seminar in the United States with international Fulbright Scholars
• Acces to a professional network of distinguished U.S. and Australian Fulbright Alumni
• A support agency in the U.S. that assists with visas, events, and networks
• Media and publicity support
• The Fulbright Distinguished Chair in Agriculture and Life Sciences, sponsored by Kansas State University is valued at up to AUD$61,975.

Eligibility:

Nationality

• Applicants must be Australian citizens by birth or naturalization.
• Permanent resident status does not satisfy this requirement and nationals of other countries cannot be treated as Australian citizens.
• Applicants will be required to show evidence of Australian citizenship on applying for a Fulbright Scholarship.
• Applicants holding United States/Australian dual citizenship, or Green Card holders residing abroad, are ineligible and will not be considered for a Fulbright Scholarship.

Residency requirements

• Applicants must be resident in Australia at the time of application. This is due to the exchange nature of the Fulbright Program between Australia and the US.

Medical requirements

• A medical examination will be required for all successful applicants.
• Applicants must complete and pass the medical examination before a Scholarship offer can be finalized.

Previous experience in the United States

• Previous travel (either personal or professional) to the U.S. will not exclude applicants, however where two applicants are considered of equal merit, preference will be given to the applicant who has not previously been to the United States.

Second Fulbright Scholarship

• The Fulbright Program has lifted the limit on the number of Fulbright awards that students and scholars can take up during their lifetime. In general,  preference for Fulbright opportunities will be given to candidates who have not previously received a grant, however, repeat candidates will be considered. Please provide a strong justification for receiving another grant.

Exchange visa

• The Fulbright Program is an exchange program. Applicants must meet the U.S. Government immigration requirements to obtain a J-1 Visa sponsored by the Australian-American Fulbright Commission. This visa includes a 2 year home residency requirement and no waivers will be given by the Australian-American Fulbright Board.
• Further information on obtaining a J-1 Visa will be provided when applicants are offered a scholarship.

Medical graduates / professionals: Visa special conditions

• Medical professionals can apply for a Fulbright Scholarship to undertake medical research, but such research should not be directly related to clinical practice.
• The U.S. Department of State has designated the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) as the sole agency authorized to sponsor alien physicians for the internship, residency, and specialized clinical training in the United States.
• Fulbright Scholars cannot simultaneously be sponsored by ECFMG and such applicants who have sponsorship will not be considered. For further information contact the ECFMG Exchange Visitor Sponsorship Program.