Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarship Program for the academic year 2014-2015

Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarship

The U.S. Embassy Rangoon is pleased to announce the opportunity to compete for the Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarship Program for the academic year 2014-2015. The program gives full scholarship funding to Burmese students seeking a Master’s Degree at a university in the United States of America.
Participants will be recruited through a merit-based, open competition and chosen based upon their leadership potential, academic excellence, maturity, ability to adjust successfully to life in the U.S., and potential to promote mutual understanding between the United States and the people of other countries. Fulbright Foreign Student scholarships provide tuition and related academic fees, a monthly stipend for room, board and incidental expenses, supplemental health and accident benefits, a book and equipment allowance, travel allowance, and the opportunity to attend Fulbright enrichment activities.
To be eligible, applicants:

• must be Burmese citizens; individuals of other nationalities are not eligible to apply in Burma;
• must hold a Bachelor’s degree;
• must have a strong academic background and a record of excellence in previous studies;
• must be proficient in English, with a minimum TOEFL score of 575 or an IELTS score of 6.5;
• should have relevant degrees or professional experience in their proposed field of study;
• should have little or no previous experience traveling or living in the United States;
• should not have a degree from a U.S. university or be enrolled in a U.S. degree program;

Important: All grantees are expected to return to their home countries for at least two years at the conclusion of their grant in compliance with the J-visa requirements. 
The deadline for applications is July 3, 2013
The application and detailed instructions are available at: http://burma.usembassy.gov/scholarships.html or the Cultural Affairs Unit, Public Affairs Section, American Embassy, 110 University Avenue, Kamayut Township, Rangoon, Ph: 536509/ 505113 Ext: 4369, email: RangoonUSECA@state.gov.
Fulbright Informational sessions in Rangoon:

Dates:     Friday, April 5, 2013
                Friday, May 3, 2013
                Friday, June 7, 2013

Time:       5:00 p.m.

Place:      The American Center, 14 Tawwin Street, Dagon Township

Other informational sessions will be announced later.
Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarship Program Announcement (PDF 195 K)
Fulbright Application Form (Required) (PDF 298 K)
Supplemental Forms (Required)
         Letter of Reference (PDF 68 K)
         Academic Records Information Form (PDF 44 K)

The Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Program

1.   Program Description: The Fulbright FLTA Program is a nine-month, ECA-funded, non-degree program that provides young teachers of English an opportunity to refine their teaching skills, increase their English language proficiency and extend their knowledge of the society and culture of the United States, while being teaching assistants for their native language to U.S. students and strengthening foreign language instruction at U.S. colleges and universities. Fulbright FLTA participants also interact with their host communities in conversation groups, extracurricular activities, and community outreach projects. Fulbright FLTA participants must return to their home countries upon completion of the program.
Fulbright FLTA participants may assist in up to twenty hours of language classes a week and are required to enroll in at least two courses per semester, one of which must be in U.S. Studies. The remaining coursework should relate to their careers in English language teaching. Coursework is offered on either an audit or credit basis. Fulbright FLTA participants will also be expected to facilitate cultural events, language clubs, and language tables.
2.   Eligibility: Nominees must be teachers of English. Fluency in English is mandatory. The embassy will arrange for the nominees to take the TOEFL in October 2013.
Nominees must demonstrate maturity, dependability, integrity, and professionalism. Material misrepresentation (e.g., plagiarism) at any time during the application or grant period is grounds for selection withdrawal or grant termination, as well as ineligibility for future participation. Applicants must be residing in their home country throughout the nomination and selection process. Due to the structure of the Fulbright FLTA Program, FLTA applicants are young, early career educators capable of succeeding in the dual role of teaching assistant and student. They must be open to living with their U.S. student peers in undergraduate or graduate level campus housing and also engaging with faculty and staff with maturity and professionalism.
Pregnant candidates may not participate in the program if the birth is due during the program period.
3.   Selection: Selection will be based on the nominee’s leadership skills, ability to motivate students to learn, and interest in teaching their native language and culture to U.S. students. Ideal candidates for the Fulbright FLTA Program have a desire to meet people and become a part of their host community by participating in community events and campus activities. Fulbright FLTA participants should also be creative and self-reliant team players, who are able to maintain excellent relationships with faculty, staff, and students. Nominees should be aware that placements are offered by smaller rural colleges as well as larger urban institutions. The interview will be conducted by the Embassy.
The Fulbright FLTA Program final selection is dependent upon approval by the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FSB) and our ability to match the requests of U.S. host institutions with the language skills of the applicant pool. A nomination does not guarantee a placement.
Preference should be given to those candidates who have little or no prior experience living in the United States. Participants must be flexible with placements at smaller or more ethnically diverse U.S. academic institutions.
4.   Mandatory Requirement: Each nominee will be required to submit an electronically completed application form, original academic transcripts with certified English translations, and three letters of reference via e-mail to RangoonUSECA@state.gov or mail to the American Center, 14, Taw Win Street, Dagon Township, Yangon, (or) American Embassy, 110 University Avenue, Kamaryut Township, Yangon.
Fulbright FLTA Application Form 2013 (PDF 146 K)

The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program

The U.S. Embassy Rangoon is pleased to announce the annual competition for the 2014-2015 Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program, a one-year program that sends accomplished professionals to the United States for a year of graduate-level academic coursework and related professional experiences. Fellows are selected based on their potential for national leadership and commitment to public service in either the public or private sector.
The Humphrey Fellowship covers: international/domestic travel costs, tuition and university fees, accident/health insurance, monthly stipend, and funding for educational materials and professional activities. The Humphrey Program does NOT provide financial support for accompanying dependents.
The Humphrey Program is NOT a degree program and grants are NOT renewable.
To be eligible for a Humphrey Fellowship, applicants:

• must be university graduates;
• must have at least five years of substantial professional experience in Burma;
• must have demonstrated leadership qualities and a record of public service;
• must have written permission from their employers to participate in the program, should they be selected;
• must have English level equivalent to 525 TOEFL score;
• should have little or no previous experience studying or working in the U.S.

Important: All grantees are expected to return to their home countries for at least two years at the conclusion of their grant in compliance with the J-visa requirements.
Eligible fields of study for the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship:
Sustainable Development
- Agricultural and Rural Development
- Economic Development/Finance and Banking
- Natural Resources & Environmental Policy/Climate Change
- Urban and Regional Planning
Democratic Institution Building
- Communications/Journalism
- Law and Human Rights
- Public Policy Analysis and Public Administration
- Trafficking in Persons Policy and Prevention
- Technology Policy and Management
- Human Resource Management
Education
- Educational Administration, Planning and Policy
- Higher Education Administration
- Teaching of English as a Foreign Language
Public Health
- Public Health Policy and Management
- HIV/AIDS Policy and Prevention
- Substance Abuse Education, Prevention, and Treatment
The deadline for applications is July 3, 2013
The application form for the Humphrey Fellowship is available at: http://burma.usembassy.gov/scholarships.html or contact the Cultural Affairs Unit, Public Affairs Section, American Embassy, 110 University Avenue, Kamayut Township, Rangoon, Ph: 536509/ 505113 Ext: 4369, email: RangoonUSECA@state.gov.
Humphrey Fellowship Informational Sessions in Rangoon:
Dates:      Thursday, May 2, 2013
                 Thursday, June 6, 2013
Time:        5:00 p.m.
Place:       The American Center, 14 Tawwin Street, Dagon Township
Humphrey Fellowship Program Announcement (PDF 295 K)
Humphrey Fellowship Program Application Form (PDF 106 K)

E-TEACHER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

The E-Teacher scholarship program is a distance education, online learning program designed to improve the quality of English Language Teaching (ELT) throughout the world. Participants are English teaching professionals who receive instruction in the most recent English language teaching methods and techniques, while also being introduced to American educational values. Participants use innovative distance learning technology to interact with U.S. experts.
Eligibility:
E-Teacher candidates should be current ELT professionals (e.g., teachers, teacher trainers, program administrators).
English Skills

• Ability to complete academic work at the U.S. university level of reading and writing (roughly equivalent to a minimum TOEFL score of 525 or IBT score of 70)
• General understanding of technical terms in English relating to computers and the Internet
• Good command of the necessary vocabulary for the topic of the course for which the candidate is nominated

Computer Fundamentals

• Regular access to e-mail and the Internet
• Ability to navigate in Windows or other appropriate programs and create a word document
• Basic familiarity with the Internet and web browsers
• Ability to type in English well enough to perform online tasks in real time and to submit written assignments in a timely manner

Courses:

• A. Introduction to Pedagogy and Practices for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL Methods)
•  B. Building Teaching Skills through the Interactive Web (Web Skills)
• C. Practical Applications in Language and Learning Skills (PALSS)
• D. Teaching English to Young Learners (TEYL)
•  E. Teaching English to Pre-teens and Teens (TEPT)
•  F. English for Specific Purposes, Aligning Context with Practices and Materials (ESP)
•  G. Special Education and Differentiated Instruction in EFL Contexts (SpEd EFL)
•  H. Summative and Formative Assessment in Language Learning and Teaching (Assessment)
•  I. Critical Thinking in Language Learning and Teaching (CT)

In August 2014, up to 26 top performers in the E-Teacher online courses will participate in a three-week professional development exchange in the United States.
The deadline to submit application is October 31, 2013.
E-Teacher Self-Nomination Form for 2013-14

FULBRIGHT U.S. – ASEAN VISITING SCHOLAR PROGRAM (USAS)

The U.S. Embassy Rangoon is pleased to announce a new Fulbright pilot initiative for ASEAN under the 2013 U.S. – ASEAN Visiting Scholar Program (USAS) in support of U.S. efforts at regional and multilateral engagement in East Asia and Pacific.
The Fulbright U.S.-ASEAN Visiting Scholar Initiative is open to university faculty, foreign ministry and government officials, and professional staff of think tanks and other NGOs in ASEAN member nations to travel to the U.S. for scholarly and professional research for 3-4 months on issues that are relevant and useful to member nations, and central to the U.S - ASEAN relationship.
Please be aware that this is not a regular Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarship program and this is one of the special programs under Fulbright program.
The application on the 2014-2015 Fulbright U.S.-ASEAN Visiting Scholar Initiative program will be available in September 2013. Please contact the Cultural Affairs Unit, Public Affairs Section, American Embassy, 110University Avenue, Kamayut Township, Rangoon, Ph: 536509 / 534173 Ext: 4369, email: RangoonUSECA@state.gov for more detailed information.

GLOBAL UNDERGRADUATE EXCHANGE PROGRAM (GLOBAL UGRAD PROGRAM)

The Global UGRAD program will provide one semester (approximately five months) and one academic year (approximately ten months) scholarships to outstanding undergraduate students from non-elite, under-represented sectors in society for non-degree undergraduate study at accredited U.S. two- and four-year institutions. The goal of the program is to provide a diverse group of students with a substantive exchange experience at a U.S. college or university.
Eligibility
Students must:

• Be at least 18 years of age when they arrive in the U.S.;
• Be younger than 24 years at the time of application;
• Be currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program in their home country and have completed their first year of undergraduate study prior to starting their UGRAD program;
• Have at least one semester or an equivalent term to complete at their home institutions upon completion of their UGRAD program;
• Have a TOEFL PBT score of 500 or higher (61 TOEFL IBT or 173 TOEFL CBT);
• Complete an official TOEFL exam before acceptance (but not before they apply);
• Have little or no prior experience in the United States or elsewhere outside of their home countries; and
• Return to their home countries on completion of the program.

The application on the 2014-2015 Global Undergraduate Exchange program will be available in September 2013. Please contact the Cultural Affairs Unit, Public Affairs Section, American Embassy, 110University Avenue, Kamayut Township, Rangoon, Ph: 536509 / 534173 Ext: 4597, email: RangoonUSECA@state.gov for more detailed information.

The Bridging Fund Program (PDF 93.71K)

The Bridging Fund Program is designed to support the application process to U.S. higher education institutions for candidates:   

1. Who are highly qualified but unable to cover the expense of applying
2. Who are not eligible for or funded by other U.S. Government-sponsored exchange programs
3. Who are short listed but not selected for a Fulbright or other U.S. Government sponsored grant. 

Eligibility: The program is available now to help cover the upfront costs of seeking higher education in the U.S., and is part of Education USA’s broad range of assistance to international students. It is important to note that students themselves must apply to accredited institutions independently at the graduate or undergraduate level and are responsible for the entire process. The program offers no guarantee of acceptance or financial aid awards at U.S. institutions. Funding for selected grantees is at the discretion of the local U.S. Embassy and may be discontinued at any time if the student does not meet his/her responsibilities (e.g. meeting test and application deadlines). 
Application Deadline: All year round

Application Form  (PDF 40.77K)
For more information on the Bridging Fund Program, please contact the Cultural Affairs Unit, Public Affairs Section, American Embassy, 110 University Avenue, Kamayut Township, Rangoon, Ph: 536509/ 534173 Ext: 4194, (OR) American Center, 14 Tawwin Street, Dagon Township, Rangoon, Tel: 95-1-223106, 95-1-223140 ext. 323, email: RangoonUSECA@state.gov

Southeast Asia Youth Leadership Program (SEAYLP)

The SEAYLP program is a 3 week program in the U.S. which seeks to promote high-quality leadership, civic responsibility, and civic activism among our countries’ future leaders.  The exchanges offer a practical examination of the principles of democracy and civil society as practiced in the United States and provide participants with training that allows them to develop their leadership skills.
Eligibility:
Students must

• be between the ages of 15 and 17 by the start date of the exchange
• be high school or first year college students currently enrolled in schools and universities in Burma
• have demonstrated leadership in their schools and/or communities
• be strong academically
• exhibit an appropriate level of maturity, open-mindedness, and sociability within a group

Adults must  

• be teachers or community leaders who work with youth
• have demonstrated leadership
• be interested in helping youth develop their potential
• be committed to working with SEAYLP participants after their return from the United States
• have travel experience outside their home state or province, such as to the national capital; international travel experience is not required

The goals of the program:

• To promote mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of the partner countries;
• To develop a sense of civic responsibility and commitment to community development among youth;
• To develop leadership skills among secondary school students appropriate to their needs; and
• To foster relationships among youth from different ethnic, religious, and national groups. 

Exchange activities
They include home-stays, interaction with American peers, interactive workshops, outdoor activities, team-building exercises, with program theme elements throughout. For instance, in a program with a theme of Environmental Stewardship, the group may help weed a community garden with volunteers and do a group presentation about preservation and development issues in their home countries.
 SEAYLP also contains a follow-on component. Upon their return, participants will be expected to conduct a service project in their home communities such as leading knowledge-sharing workshops, helping the needy, and participating in environmental conservation activities.
Please contact the Cultural Affairs Unit, Public Affairs Section, American Embassy, 110University Avenue, Kamayut Township, Rangoon, Ph: 536509 / 534173 Ext: 4597, email: RangoonUSECA@state.gov for more detailed information.

Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSIs) for Secondary School Educators

We welcome you to apply for the U.S. State Department’s Study of U.S. Institutes (SUSIs) for Secondary School Educators program. SUSIs for Secondary Educators are intensive post-graduate level academic programs with integrated study tours intended to provide secondary educators the opportunity to deepen their understanding of U.S. society, culture, and institutions. The ultimate goal of the Institutes is to strengthen curricula and to improve the quality of teaching about the United States in secondary schools and other academic institutions abroad.
For more information, please contact the Cultural Affairs Unit, Public Affairs Section, American Embassy, 110 University Avenue, Kamayut Township, Rangoon. Ph: 536509 / 534173, Ext: 4597; email: RangoonUSECA@State.gov.

Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSIs) for Scholars

SUSIs for Scholars are intensive post-graduate level academic programs with integrated study tours intended to provide foreign university faculty and other scholars the opportunity to deepen their understanding of U.S. society, culture, and institutions. The ultimate goal of the program is to strengthen curricula and improve the quality of teaching about the United States in academic institutions overseas.
For more information, please contact the Cultural Affairs Unit, Public Affairs Section, American Embassy, 110 University Avenue, Kamayut Township, Rangoon. Ph: 536509 / 534173, Ext: 4597; email: RangoonUSECA@State.gov.

Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSIs) for Student Leaders

SUSIs for Student Leaders are intensive academic programs whose purpose is to provide groups of undergraduate student leaders with a deeper understanding of the United States, while simultaneously enhancing their leadership skills.
For more information, please contact the Cultural Affairs Unit, Public Affairs Section, American Embassy, 110 University Avenue, Kamayut Township, Rangoon. Ph: 536509 / 534173, Ext: 4597; email: RangoonUSECA@State.gov.

http://burma.usembassy.gov/scholarships.html