Fulbright Program competition for academic year 2009-2010 is now open

2009-2010 Application for the Fulbright Student Program (pre-doctoral) in the United States (NON-DEGREE and DEGREE).

Deadline: September 15, 2008.

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION CAREFULLY BEFORE COMPLETING.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
o Completed University degree, or enrollment into postgraduate studies
o Proficiency in English appropriate to the proposed research project to be carried out in  the United States
o A detailed statement of proposed activity for research at a U.S. institution
o Macedonian citizenship and employment in Macedonia

INSTRUCTIONS
1. All forms in this application are to be completed in English and printed from a computer.
2. Each page of the following application carries its own instructions which should be read carefully before proceeding.
3. Every question must be answered completely and carefully. Please make every effort to limit your responses to the space provided.
4. Completed applications should be returned to the American Embassy by August 31, 2008.
5. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
6. Do not mention the names of any U.S. universities you wish to attend in the five page Application. The Confidential Information Sheet is included for that purpose.

APPLICATION

Please note:
1) Moving from field to field: Use the tab key.
2) Text boxes: Do not exceed the space available.
A complete application consists of the following components:

1. Application
In these five pages you will state biographical information, study objectives, curriculum vitae, and other information. Please note the following special instructions on certain numbered fields in the application:
(a) None degree Objective (page 1, item 15): Visiting Researcher.
(b) Study Objectives (page 3, item 24). The description of your study objectives in the U.S. is an essential and highly important part of your application. You should take great care in writing a clear and detailed description of the program you want to pursue. An unclear, incomplete or overly brief statement can diminish your chances for admission to an appropriate program in the U.S. Do not list your choice of universities here or anywhere else in the five pages of the application.

2. Confidential Information Form
The information you provide in this section is used for IIE's internal purposes and as a release form to obtain standardized test scores when necessary. You may list your choice of U.S. universities on this form only.

3. Confidential Letters of Reference
You must submit three letters. U.S. universities consider letters of reference extremely important. All letters of reference should be written by teachers under whom you have studied or pursued research or by someone who has supervised you in work related to your proposed field of study. Letters of reference should not be written by persons related to you either by blood or marriage, or by personal friends. At least one academic and one professional or work-related letter must be included among the three letters you provide. The letters of reference should be written in English, if possible. If they are not, a translation must be provided. Please be certain to ask that both pages of the form are completed. You can print out these forms and forward them to the individuals who will be your referees. They need to mail the references to one of the addressees listed below.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR AFFILIATION WITH A HOST INSTITUTION
One of the most important requirements of the Fulbright Program is a formal affiliation at a U.S. university or research institution. In many cases, applicants are in touch with colleagues at U.S. institutions and have made preliminary plans for their own placements. However, if you are unable to make these preliminary contacts, you are encouraged to identify two or three institutions that have appropriate facilities for the kind of research you wish to undertake and faculty specialized in your research interests. When determining which institutions to include on your preferred list, do not limit yourself to only the most well-known U.S. universities. Many U.S. universities may not have an international reputation, but they often have appropriate facilities to conduct research. We have observed that students placed in these smaller and less renowned institutions often are given greater attention than their colleagues who are affiliated with more well-known universities. If program officers find that the preferred institutions listed by the student are not suitable for the work proposed or no strong professional reasons are given for wanting a particular institution, the program officer will request placement at another institution after consulting with staff, former U.S. Fulbright Students, and other sources. The task of affiliation is substantially accelerated if candidates have projects that are clearly defined. Prospective host institutions also want to be assured that students can conduct research in English. Through Public Affairs Offices of U.S. embassies, students are notified of the arrangements made for their affiliation in the United States and of recommended starting dates.

STANDARDIZED TESTS
All pre-doctoral (student) finalists will be required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and will receive instructions on how to apply.
TOEFL test is an admissions requirement at all U.S. universities for applicants whose native language is not English.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

DURATION OF GRANTS: Fulbright pre-doctoral grants are awarded for one nine-month academic year beginning in August or September. Candidates appointed to certain types of Fulbright grants may be required to arrive during the summer for an introductory course or intensive English program prior to the academic year.

CHANGE OF PLANS: You should promptly inform the U.S. Embassy of any change in your academic status or future plans after this application has been submitted.

A complete application includes
_____ application form
_____ detailed statement of proposed activity
_____ detailed curriculum vitae
_____ three references
_____ copy of passport
_____ copy of  university or master's degree or letter confirming enrollment in a doctoral   program in Macedonia
_____ letter from employer confirming employment
_____ any optional supplementary documents.

Application forms - (Suggested Formats) can be found at: https://apply.embark.com/student/fulbright/international/20/ or 
http://www.fulbrightweb.org/ 

For additional question please contact:

Gazmend Ilazi
Educational Affairs Assistant
Public Affairs Office
US Embassy –Skopje, Macedonia
Tel: 02 3116 180 ext. 2169
E-mail: ilazig@state.gov