Press Release

2009 Fulbright Awards for Scholars and Professionals from the Caribbean and Central America

Research and/or Academic Training awards for a minimum of two months and a maximum of three months are offered under the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act (Fulbright Program) for scholars and professionals from countries of the Caribbean and Central America.  Training programs of less than two months must be paired with a research affiliation.

ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION
University faculty and professionals are eligible to apply. Applicants must have at a minimum a master’s degree and either three years of university teaching experience or five years of professional experience.

This program is NOT designed for study toward a graduate degree, for the completion of a doctoral dissertation or conference attendance. Candidates who have not visited the United States for an appreciable period within the past five years will be given preference. Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of Jamaica. Persons holding permanent U.S. visas are not eligible. 

RESEARCH OR TRAINING TOPICS
Applications will be accepted in all fields. 

Grants may take place during any 2 to 3 month period between April 1 and December 31, 2009.  Applicants will be notified of selection or non-selection by late January, 2009.

GRANT PROVISIONS
Round-trip economy international travel for grantee only.
• A lump sum grant of U.S. $10,000.  This amount is meant to cover all expenses, including settling-in costs, room and board, associated research costs, and academic training program costs (if applicable).
• Sickness/accident insurance.

Please note:  Grantees are responsible for identifying, independently registering for, and paying all fees for a training program should they choose that option.  Academic training programs may require full or partial payment in advance of the program, but grant funds will not be dispersed until a grantee arrives in the United States.  Grantees should be prepared to cover any fees required in advance from personal funds. 

APPLICATION
Application forms and guidelines are available electronically from Mrs. Angella Harvey, Cultural Affairs Specialist in the U.S. Embassy’s Public Affairs Section (PAS): harveyae@state.gov; or from Ms. Cheryl Brown, Manager of the Office of Sponsored Research at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona; Professor Gossett Oliver, Vice President for Graduate Studies, Research & Entrepreneurships, at the University of Technology (UTech); or Dr. Herbert Thompson, President of Northern Caribbean University (NCU) in Mandeville. Five copies of the completed application should be submitted to Mrs. Harvey by Friday, October 24, 2008. 

ACADEMIC AFFILIATION
The Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES) in Washington, D.C. can help arrange or confirm academic affiliations for grantees, issues grant documents, disburses grant funds and provides administrative services.

This program is funded by the U.S. Department of State. For additional information please contact Mrs. Harvey at the U.S. Embassy by telephone at 702-6113 or 383-0753.