Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching                     Program

Program Description

The Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching program, sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State, recognizes and encourages excellence in teaching in the U.S. and abroad. It is part of the overall Fulbright Program, named in honor of Senator William Fulbright, which promotes mutual understanding among people of the United States and other countries. The program will send highly accomplished primary to secondary school teachers from the U.S. abroad and bring international teachers to the U.S for a semester-long program.  For international teachers, the program is open to teachers from Argentina, India, Israel, Finland, Japan, Singapore and South Africa.

Selected participants will be placed at a U.S. host university with a respected School of Education from late August to mid-December, 2009. The host university will provide a broad range of resources in the teachers' fields of teaching expertise. In addition, participants may enroll in graduate level classes, conduct research, lead classes and seminars for U.S. teachers and students, and engage in other teaching related activities.  During the program Distinguished Teachers will work toward the completion of a capstone project of their own design. Additionally, the teachers may team teach and conduct occasional master classes as part of the in-service training of teachers at local secondary schools. Upon returning home, teachers will be expected to share knowledge and experience gained on the program with teachers and students in their home schools and with their communities.

About the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State fosters mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries around the world. ECA does this through a wide range of international exchanges as authorized by the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended.  ECA works in close cooperation with U.S. Embassies overseas to promote personal, professional and institutional ties between private citizens and organizations in the United States and abroad.

United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF)

The United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) was established in 1950 to promote mutual understanding between the citizens of India and of the U.S. through educational exchange of outstanding scholars, professionals and students. USIEF fosters research, lecture and study primarily through fellowships for Indian and U.S. citizens; educational advising for Indians interested in study opportunities in the U.S.; and dialogue among its alumni and their communities.

 Academy for Educational Development (AED)

The Academy for Educational Development (AED) is a nonprofit organization working globally to improve education, health, civil society and economic development. As a Fulbright partner organization it conducts program outreach, organizes the selection of program participants and the U.S. host university, supports international teachers based in the United States, works with the U.S. host university and mentors, and administers alumni programs.

To Be Eligible You Must:

Professional Competence

• Hold at least a bachelor's degree  and a teacher training degree;
• Be full time teachers teaching at any level (primary, middle or secondary) or administrators/academic coordinators who spend 50% of their time in classroom teaching
• Teachers of any subject may apply;
• Have at least five years teaching experience;
• Demonstrate experience conducting and leading professional development activities;
• Have previously received a teaching award or an exemplary evaluation by a school administrator;
• Demonstrate good English language competence and possess a paper based TOEFL score of 550 (213 Computer Based TOEFL, 79 Internet Based TOEFL) or an IELTS score of 6.5.
• If you have taken any standard test of English language proficiency such as the TOEFL or IELTS, please attach a photocopy of the score report to your application. If you have not taken the TOEFL or IELTS and are selected as a nominee, you will be required to take the TOEFL in March 2009. USIEF will provide fee vouchers towards the TOEFL exam.

Citizenship

• Be a citizen of India and reside in India at the time of application;
• Be qualified to obtain/hold a valid Indian passport by February 15, 2009.

Grant Benefits

• Round-trip economy airfare for the participant
• Lodging and meals for the entire grant period
• Maintenance allowance designed to assist with the costs of food and lodging during the U.S. program
• Professional enrichment funds to support development, research, or cover expenses of attending a conference or workshop related to their fields of teaching expertise
• Dependents may accompany program participants. No allowance or travel is provided for dependents. Participants with accompanying dependents will need to demonstrate adequate personal funds to support their stay in the US.

Application Checklist

A complete application material should include:

• Completed and signed application form;
• A resume or CV demonstrating that the applicant meets all the eligibility criteria;
• Candidates must attach complete and certified academic documents covering the entire period of study at universities or other post-secondary institutions (after high school examination). Documents must be accompanied by complete English translations. In case you cannot get your marksheets/degree certificates attested/certified by the institution(s) that issued these to you, attach photocopies of the marksheets and degree/diploma certificates. Shortlisted candidates will be required to produce the originals at the time of interview in Delhi;
• Three letters of recommendation including one from the Principal or Department Head in the prescribed format; Click here to download the Recommendation Form;
• Photocopies of any teaching awards the applicant has received;
• Project proposal.

Important Note

Completed applications of applicants, including central and state government employees, must be submitted through the appropriate administrative authority/official.  The participant must be eligible for leave from their school/organization for the entire duration of the program.  All applications should indicate that leave will be granted for the fellowship, should the applicant be selected. 

Under "School and Employment Information" on the application form, there is a question "Is your school willing to grant you a semester sabbatical-leave?"   Please check with your school principal/administrative authority if you are eligible for this leave, which is generally leave with pay for academic/research purposes.  Even if your school does not offer sabbatical leave, your application must indicate if leave will be granted to you.  It is not necessary that you receive leave with pay to avail of the fellowship.

Project Proposal

Grantees will be expected to produce a final capstone project at the end of the program, with the form and content of the project proposed by the applicant at the time of application; projects should encourage cross-cultural dialogue and support future teaching activities. The host university will assign each participant a mentor who will help guide and refine participants' project ideas. Participants should be creative in developing program activities that will enhance their project and contribute to its successful implementation. Each teacher will be encouraged to give presentations on their project activities, and to compile written reflections and photographic or other records of their U.S. experiences. 

Application Procedure: Click here to download application form. Application forms can be obtained in person from USIEF office at New Delhi or requested from the USIEF office along with a stamped self-addressed (Rs. 25) 10 x 7 inches envelope.

All applications, hand delivered or posted, must reach the USIEF, Fulbright House, 12 Hailey Road, New Delhi 110001, no later than February15, 2009. Please write ATTN: Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching on the envelope.

 Selection Procedure and Timeline

Any changes in the dates below will be posted at the USIEF office as well as the USIEF website.

1.   Program announcement                                                             December 19, 2008

2. APPLICATION DEADLINE:                                     February 15, 2009

3.   Screening of applications:                                                          February 27, 2009

4.   Call letters for interviews to short-listed candidates:                 February 27, 2009

5.   National Interviews in Delhi:                                                     mid March, 2009

Fellows will be selected through a merit-based open competition. After the application deadline, USIEF will review all eligible applications.  Short listed candidates will be interviewed by a committee in New Delhi which will select nominees whose names will be forwarded to Washington DC for further consideration. Nominees will be required to take the TOEFL examination. Final selections will be made by an independent, U.S.-based selection committee that will review applications from all participating countries.