[UK] Fulbright Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) Fellowships

[UK] Fulbright Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) Fellowships

Fulbright NICS Research Fellowships of $25,000 (covering travel, accommodation, general living costs and associated research fees) are granted to senior civil servants in Northern Ireland to pursue research for between three and six months, affiliated with a relevant US institution. Given the relatively short nature of the programme, proposals should focus on research and assessing best practice rather than gaining a qualification. Expenditure must be accounted for through the production of receipts upon return to the UK.

The award may begin at any time between 1 August 2008 and 30 April 2009.

On return to the UK, each fellow will be required to submit a report on their findings to the Fulbright Commission and their Permanent Secretary, and may be asked to give a formal presentation to colleagues within the Northern Ireland Civil Service.

Deadline

The deadline for application for Fulbright NICS Research Fellowship for academic year 2008/09 is Tuesday, 1 April 2008. (The application form can be found at the bottom of this page.)

Selection Criteria

• Fulbright awards are offered to UK citizens (regardless of where they currently reside) only. Non-UK citizens are required to apply through the Commission in their country of citizenship. Dual UK citizens must apply in the country in which they currently reside; if not resident in either country then applications must be made through the Commission in the country in which they have resided the longest period of time.

• Candidates holding, or entitled to hold, American citizenship including those with dual US-UK citizenship are not eligible to apply.

• Open to Northern Ireland Civil Servants of grade 7/A or above.

• Letters of invitation from US institution(s) should be included with the application where possible.

• Applications must be endorsed by candidates' Permanent Secretary.

• Two references must accompany the application to be considered complete. One should come from within the Civil Service, and the other from outside the Civil Service.

PLEASE NOTE: The Fulbright Commission is unable to comment or provide any feedback on individual applications or the reason for their refusal.

Restrictions

• Accommodation on campus may be sought with the assistance of the Fulbright Commission and its partner organisations in the US, but is not guaranteed.

• Three years must elapse from the date of return from the US before an applicant may be considered eligible for another Fulbright grant.

Visas

Successful applicants will be issued with a J-1 visa with the assistance of the Fulbright Commission. This is the only type of visa that Fulbright scholars may use to enter the United States of America. The present rules governing the J-1 visa impose certain restrictions upon recipients of a United States government grant under an exchange visitor programme. Fulbright scholarships are a part of this programme. Candidates should note that on completion of their study programme, they will be required to return to their home country for a cumulative total of two years to be eligible to apply for an immigrant or temporary worker's visa or for permanent residence in the United States. Tourist travel to the United States is not affected by this rule.

The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Affairs (BCIS) of the United States grants separate visas for spouses, children and co-habiting partners of J-1 exchange visitors. For information please visit the US Embassy website.

Applicants that choose to take family members along to the United States during the term of the Fellowship understand that their maintenance will not be the responsibility of the Fulbright Commission.

Fulbright NICS Fellowships are given for a maximum of 6 months.

Selection Procedure

A committee of experts in this field will review all applications submitted by the closing date. The committee reserves to itself the right to determine the validity of all applications and not give reasons for its conclusions.

The offer of a Fulbright Award is conditional upon the formal approval of the J William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FSB) in Washington DC. This approval can take several weeks to obtain.

Applications

Download your application form here. (Word document 08/09)

What Happens Next?

• Do not send your application to the Fulbright Commission. Applications for the Fulbright NICS Fellowship scheme should be made to: Jenny Lynn, Centre for Applied Learning, Bankmore House
62-66 Bedford Street, Belfast BT2 7FH.
• After shortlisting, applicants will be notified of the status of their application.
• Interviews are scheduled for the week commencing Monday, 21 April 2008 and will take place in Belfast. Interviews may not be rescheduled and telephone interviews will not be made. If you are making an application please keep this week free.
• After the interviews, candidates will be notified within 10 days of the result.
• The successful candidate will be invited to attend a 2-day pre-departure orientation programme in London in mid-June 2008. Travel and accommodation costs for this will be covered by the Fulbright Commission.

http://www.fulbright.co.uk