Well, it's that time of year again—time to think about whether or not you should apply for a Fulbright Grant. The student grants are due October 20th and the Traditional Scholar Grants are due October 1st, 2009, but I think the Fulbright Senior Specialist Program Grants have various deadlines, if I'm not mistaken. If you want to find out more about the U.S. Department of State Fulbright Grant Program, go to my article, "Fulbright Grants: The Inside Scoop" (http://miraslist.blogspot.com/2009/04/fubright-grants-inside-scoop.html).
Graduate Student Program
The U.S. Department of State Fulbright and other grants for graduate study abroad are available in academic fields and the creative and performing arts. Among the requirements for SOME disciplines, but not all (for example, visual art), is proficiency in the language of the country to be visited. Grants cover the costs of international travel, tuition, living, and health insurance. See web site for more details and application instructions. Students or artists, writers, etc. less than five years out of school can find out more at: http://us.fulbrightonline.org or http://www.iie.org/srf/home.
Traditional Scholars Program
Teaching at host colleges and universities worldwide for one to two semesters. Countries occasionally request professional artists with teaching experience, rather than traditional academics. Website: http://www.iie.org/cies/us_scholars/
***just so you know, I got one of these grants twelve years after grad. school and I wasn't associated with a university at all. I applied as an Independent Scholar/Artist.
Senior Specialist Program
A relatively new program of short-term residencies at colleges and universities worldwide. For professionals and artists outside academe , the program requires recognized professional standing and substantial professional accomplishments. Website: www.iie.org/cies/specialists/
So if you want some insider tips on the Fulbright process, check out my article and/or visit the websites above. Also, you might want to read my article "Finding Money for Your Dreams" about the grant-writing process and how to get started. I had a great experience when I went to Northern Norway on a Fulbright a few years ago and receiving the grant opened many doors for me after that. As I state in my "Finding Money for Your Dreams" article, grants beget other grants, which beget many opportunities down the road.
Best Wishes, Mira