U.S. Fulbright Specialist Call Opened

The Fulbright Commission in Ireland is seeking applications from Irish institutions to bring a U.S. Fulbright Specialist to their institution for two to six weeks from January to December 2019. The deadline for applications from Irish institutions is Friday 20^th July 2018.

This is a creative, low-administrative and cost-effective way of accessing U.S. academics and professionals who might not be free to come for longer periods. Most US Scholars and Students have an ambition of undertaking a Fulbright Award at some point in their career; and as such are easily engaged with. The program enables Irish colleges, research centers, and educational and cultural institutions to invite U.S. academics or professionals to assist with any aspect of development, such as new courses, research programs, or administrative structures, for example.

Cost:  Through the US State Department, the Fulbright Commission pays the Specialist a per diem and travel to and from Ireland. The Irish institution is required to provide accommodation, meals, and any internal Irish travel costs.

First steps: Irish institutions can suggest the name of an U.S. academic in an eligible discipline; otherwise there is a roster of qualified people to choose from. If the person suggested is not already on the roster s/he will have to undergo a peer review process in the U.S. to confirm eligibility. The peer review process takes place on a quarterly basis and the U.S. academic must apply to Fulbright Specialist program to be approved for the Specialist roster at the same time as the Irish college is applying to the Irish Fulbright Commission.

Eligible Academic Disciplines: 

 Application Process: 

Interested institutions should request the guidelines, and an application form from the Fulbright Commission from Ms. Sonya McGuinness, Program Manager, Fulbright Commission, email: sonya.mcguinness@fulbright.ie. Completed applications are to be returned to sonya.mcguinness@fulbright.ie by Friday 20^th July 2018.

The Commission has an allocation of approximately 5 Specialists. The Commission will review/endorse applications from Irish institutions meeting against the following criteria:

Project Impact: Priority will be given to projects that:

• are feasible in the time proposed
• utilise the full six week allocation
• are collaborative in nature (e.g. involving 2 or more hosts and, or non-academic partners)
• will have demonstrable impact on the host institution(s)
• demonstrate potential for future collaborations and linkages

Proposed Academic / Specialist:  Preference will be given to projects that have already identified an U.S. academic / specialist who has applied or is already on the roster. 

Diversity of Institution: Priority will be given to institutions in who have not recently hosted a Fulbright Specialist

From Friday 20^thJuly 2018, the applications will be reviewed and final selection will be made by early September 2018: The Commission will notify institutions of the status of their applications, provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants, and work with successful applicants to implement their application. Please note that the approval process can take three to four months if the Specialist is not already on the roster.

Further information Sonya McGuinness