Fulbright U.S.-ASEAN Initiative

  1. Fulbright Foreign Student Program
  2. Fulbright U.S.-ASEAN Initiative

FY23 Competition for the Fulbright U.S.-ASEAN Visiting Scholar Awards

 

The FY23 Competition for Fulbright U.S.-ASEAN Visiting Scholar Awards is now OPEN.
Apply Here  

Deadline for application: November 30, 2022.

Reflecting an enduring commitment to the Asia Pacific Region, the United States has elevated its engagement across Asia as a strategic priority. A central pillar of that strategy is to work more closely with multilateral institutions such as ASEAN.  The objective of the Fulbright U.S.-ASEAN award is to deepen people-to-people engagement and strengthen our educational ties around issues important to the ASEAN region.

The Fulbright U.S.-ASEAN Visiting Scholar award 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 United States 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.

Qualifying Research Fields

While applications will be accepted from all ASEAN countries, it is anticipated that a total of 10 awards will be made for the region. These grants are for research and lecture in fields that will support ASEAN initiatives including, but not limited to, Education, Financial Market Integration, Food Technology, Information Sciences, Journalism, Law, Public Administration, Public/Global Health, and Trade and Investment. Projects that are regional in scope and/or have clear implications for the entire A​SEAN region will be prioritized.

Program Dates

Scholars can plan to begin their grant in Spring 2024 (January-May 2024).

Note: All of the selected Fulbright U.S.–ASEAN Visiting Scholars are to come to the United States during the first half of 2024, preferably in the January to May timeframe.  Please understand that program timing may be subject to change due to travel restrictions or other considerations.

Fulbright U.S – ASEAN Visiting Scholar awards will provide:

 

  • A monthly stipend for grantees, between US$2,710 and US$3,145/month, depending on city.
  • One direct-flight, round-trip economy-class air ticket.
  • A one-time US$1,250 Professional and Settling-in allowance.
  • Qualifying university lab and research fees up to US$3,000, as necessary.
  • No dependent support will be available.

Note: Exchanges must be at least three months, but no more than four months in length.

Eligibility

  1. Applicants must be Brunei citizens or citizens of an ASEAN nation.  Applicants must be residing in an ASEAN country throughout the nomination and selection process, and must return to an ASEAN country upon completion of their U.S. stay.
  2. Applicants should be university faculty, foreign ministry and government officials, or professionals in think tanks and other NGOs whose work focuses on U.S.-ASEAN issues.  Applicants will be expected to have a significant record of scholarly or professional accomplishment.
  3. Preference will be given to applicants who have not had recent and substantial experience in the United States.
  4. Applicants must be proficient in English.
  5. Good health.  Applicants selected for a Fulbright grant are required to submit a Medical History and Examination Report before their grants can be finalized.

Applicants who are ineligible:

  1. Are currently teaching, studying, or conducting research in the United States, or who have received a Fulbright grant within the past 5 years.
  2. Have received a J-1 visa in the category of Professor/Research Scholar within the past two years (which would prevent them from being issued another J-1 visa in the category of Professor or Research Scholar.

Interested applicants should access and complete the online application now available.

Applicants should select “U.S.-ASEAN Fulbright Initiative” in the menu.  Otherwise, please select “Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program” and indicate clearly “U.S.-ASEAN Fulbright Initiative” as part of their project or research title.

Fulbright U.S.-ASEAN Visiting Scholar proposals should be carefully developed projects that will deepen the applicant’s understanding of one or more aspects of the U.S.-ASEAN relationship.  While it is expected that the majority of time will be spent in research, grantees are also encouraged to expand and develop their network of professional contacts so that professional relationships established during the grantee’s time in the U.S. can be sustained after the formal grant period has ended.  In addition, grantees will be expected to seek opportunities to provide an ASEAN perspective during their time in the U.S. through guest lectures, seminars, or participation in academic or professional conferences.  All applicants are urged to explore possible affiliations with U.S. institutions, including universities, think tanks and research institutes, in advance of submitting their formal applications.  Letters of invitation will enable program organizers to make the most suitable affiliations.

Your application should include the following materials:

  • Application
  • Project statement (three to five pages)
  • Bibliography (up to three pages; this is required for research or combined teaching/research awards)
  • Curriculum vitae (up to six pages)
  • Letter of invitation (strongly preferred but not required)
  • Letters of recommendation (three are required)
  • Passport bio page

September 1, 2022 Announcement of Application
November 30, 2022 Deadline for submission of online Fulbright application forms
After preliminary review by U.S. Embassy Brunei Darussalam, shortlisted applicants may be invited to attend an interview with the Review and Selection Committee at the U.S. Embassy Brunei Darussalam sometime in January 2023.
January 26, 2023 Deadline for Brunei applications to reach the U.S. Mission in ASEAN
U.S. Embassy Brunei Darussalam expects to nominate up to three candidates to the U.S. Mission to ASEAN by this date.  A panel comprising representatives from the Mission and ASEAN officials will conduct a final review of all the country-nominated applicants to select one participant from each of the 10 ASEAN member states. The selections will be sent onward to the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FSB) in Washington D.C. for final approval.
April 2023 Notification of candidacy by Fulbright Scholarship Board, Washington D.C.
May 2023 Congratulatory letters from the Ambassador of the U.S. Mission to ASEAN conveyed to selected and non-selected candidates.
August 2023 Pre-departure orientation with Selected Candidates (Virtual or In-Person).
Spring 2024 Selected Candidate prepares for departure for the United States.

For more details about the Fulbright competition, please contact:

Fulbright Program Brunei
Public Diplomacy Section
U.S. Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Email: EmbassyBruneiPAS@state.gov

Tel: + 673 2387400
Fax: + 673 2387533