Fulbright seeks more applications from Wales 
The Fulbright Commission is pleased to announce the opening its awards for the 2011/12 academic year. This year’s Fulbright Programme includes £100K in additional scholarship funding for UK citizens for study, research or lecturing in the United States.
In January, the 2009/10 American Fulbright Scholars were treated to a 3-day visit to Wales and were warmly welcomed by Cardiff University, Swansea University and the Welsh Assembly Government. The American Scholars enjoyed a variety of impressive lectures and interactive sessions arranged by the Universities to highlight Wales’ past, present and future, as well as the unique strengths of the Higher Education sector in Wales today. Topics included Welsh language, devolution, the current political climate, the ‘Bloodhound’ engineering project and much more. They also took part in a lively Tympath, generously hosted by Cardiff University and attended by Cardiff staff, as well as a private performance at the Dylan Thomas Centre in Swansea.
The Fulbright Commission now hopes to further cultivate the exchange of ideas between the US and Wales by sending more Welsh students and scholars to the US with a prestigious Fulbright Award.
In cooperation with Wales International Consortium, Fulbright is actively promoting the Fulbright Awards Programme in Wales and hopes to increase the number of applications it received from Wales.
This year’s Fulbright Awards Programme also offer an exciting new opportunity for research in the clinical or biomedical aspects of diabetes, or the social or economic issues faced by people living with the condition. Offered in partnership with Diabetes UK, the Fulbright-Diabetes UK Research Award offers a generous £75,000 to conduct research into the condition at any accredited US institution.
Penny Egan, the Fulbright Commission’s Executive Director, remarked on the Programme:
“The USA remains the destination of choice for many eager to further enhance their education. A prestigious Fulbright Award does more. It opens doors and enriches the awardees affording a unique opportunity for those with ambition to immerse themselves in the world’s leading economy at a pivotal moment in its history. We are therefore delighted that once again we have been able to increase the number of awards that we can offer UK applicants.”
Michael Scott-Kline, Director of the Fulbright Awards Programme, adds:
“An award from Fulbright is more than just a grant. When I ask our alumni about what they valued most from their Fulbright experience, across the board they say it was the people they met. That is the real purpose of this programme - mutual exchange and mutual understanding between people – and I’m thrilled to say that this year we'll have even more awards to give for exchanges to the United States.”
Further details about the Fulbright Awards and online applications can be found on the Fulbright Commission’s website: www.fulbright.co.uk.
The application deadline for awards in academic year 2011/12 is 31 May 2010. .
About the Fulbright Programme
Created in the aftermath of the Second World War through the vision of US Senator J. William Fulbright, the Fulbright Programme promotes the twin goals of academic excellence and cultural understanding. It operates in more than 150 countries, providing students, scholars and professionals with the opportunity to observe each others’ political, economic and cultural institutions, exchange ideas and embark on joint ventures of importance to the general welfare of the world’s inhabitants.
It is not only the generous grant that makes the Fulbright experience special. Whether studying as a postgraduate student or going to the US to lecture, conduct research or gain professional experience, Fulbright gives assistance at every step of the way. The Fulbright Commission helps successful candidates choose the right universities, obtain the appropriate US visas, and navigate the university application process. ‘Fulbrighters’ also receive an extensive pre-departure orientation and are recognised by the US Ambassador at an annual reception each summer.