Fulbright Fellowship
The Embassy of the United States of America is pleased to announce the annual competition for the Fulbright Fellowship Program for the academic year 2008-2009 in the following three categories:
- Students for Fulbright Non-U.S. Student Fellowship
- Scholars/Researchers for Fulbright Visiting Scholars Fellowship
- Teachers who wish to participate in the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program
Students for Fulbright Non-U.S. Student Fellowship for one academic year of Master's degree or Ph.D. level study in the United States. In order to be eligible for the program, students must have at least a Bachelor's degree by June 2008. Students can apply to study any field, except medicine.
To apply for the Fulbright Student Fellowship, students must submit the following documents by September 21, 2007:
1. Complete an on-line application form and submit it on-line: https://apply.embark.com/student/fulbright/international/20/
2. Submit 3 letters of recommendation.
We prefer to receive two letters of recommendation from university professors and one letter from the current (or most recent) employer. Students must ask that their referees enclose the recommendation letter in a sealed envelope, and mail it to:
Attn.: Fulbright Fellowship Program (reference for________student's name)
Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy
Smilšu street 7
RÄ«ga LV-1050
Latvia
3. Students must also submit an English Proficiency Form.
4. Certified copies of university diplomas and transcript (or transcripts from previous study years, if a diploma is not yet available) in the original language accompanied by a certified English translation of the same copies. Students do not need to notarize their diplomas or transcripts, but must ask that the issuing university certify these documents with a stamp.
5. To be eligible for the Fulbright fellowship program, students must pass the TOEFL and GRE or GMAT standardized tests. To obtain registration booklets and/or more information on these tests, please contact the Educational Advising Center. We strongly recommend that students take standardized tests in October/November.
6. In order to apply for the program, students do not need to complete and submit the Medical History Examination Form. Only finalists of the Fulbright fellowship program will be asked to complete the medical form.
Scholars/Researchers for Fulbright Visiting Scholars Fellowship. Interested applicants must already hold a Ph.D., degree, or be finishing their dissertation. Scholars can apply to conduct research in any field, except medicine, but including public health.
In order to apply for the Fulbright Visiting Scholars Program, scholars must submit the following documents by November 26, 2007:
1. One original and four copies of complete application form.
2. Three letters of recommendation.
3. A letter of invitation from potential host university in the United States. (Please note that this is not absolutely required--those applicants who have not initiated prior contact with a university in the United States, but submit all other documents listed above, will still be considered eligible for the program competition.)
Teachers who wish to participate in the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program and who are able to teach their subject in English in an American school.
To apply for the Fulbright Teachers Exchange program, interested teachers must submit the following documents by November 26, 2007:
1. One original and four copies of the application form.
2. "Administrative Approval for Applicant" form. (This is the approval of the principal that the teacher has notified his/her school about applying to this exchange program and with this the school in Latvia agrees to host an American teacher for one academic year if the teacher from Latvia becomes a finalist and an exchange is successful).
3. "Immediate Supervisor Reference for Applicant" form.
4. Two "Reference for Applicant" forms.
All these forms must be placed in a sealed envelope for confidentiality purposes and must be included with the application upon submission to the U.S. Embassy's Public Affairs Section.
Teachers do not need to submit copies of their diplomas or medical report form. Only finalists of the competition will be asked to submit medical forms.
Additional important information about the Fulbright Program (please read carefully):
Fulbright scholarship is awarded for one academic year. Scholars can apply for a shorter period starting from three months. Fulbright Fellowship covers tuition and fees at an American university (scholars receive research allowance), monthly stipend, health insurance, and international airfare. Scholars and teachers will receive a dependent allowance, if spouses or children under 18 will accompany grantees. Dependent airfare and medical insurance will not be covered.
Only Latvian citizens and legal residents of Latvia are eligible to apply. Dual citizens (United States and Latvia) are not eligible to apply for the Fulbright Fellowship from Latvia to study or conduct research in the United States. Applicants must reside in Latvia during the time of application. Applications received from abroad will not be considered.
Semi-finalists will be invited to an interview via a telephone call approximately three to four days in advance of the interview (no exceptions for the interviews will be made). We therefore ask that all applicants put down a telephone where they can be reached during the business hours.
Fulbright Visiting Scholars and Fulbright Teacher Exchange Applicants are not required to take the TOEFL or GRE/GMAT tests. English ability of the applicants will be evaluated from the application and during the semi-final interview at the U.S. Embassy, which will be conducted in English language.
For further information regarding this program, please contact Ingrīda Bodniece or Andris Purvlīcis at the U.S. Embassy's Public Affairs Section at 67216571 or e-mail to: ingrida@usembassy.lv or andris@usembassy.lv.
Back to top ^