Fulbright Foreign Students Program ; The Fulbright Foreign Student Program is funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE).
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program supports the growth of professionals and educators in higher education, research, and government institutions. This includes junior faculty, research assistants, lecturers, classroom support staff, administrators, researchers, and assistant lecturers. The program provides funding for up to two years for individuals pursuing master’s or doctoral degrees in the United States.
- Ghanaian citizen or permanent resident and currently residing in Ghana (Please note: Ghanaian nationals with dual citizenship from the U.S. are not eligible for the program).
- Employed at a tertiary, research, or governmental institution.
- High prospect of receiving study leave from applicant’s employer.
- Have one of the following academic degrees:
- When applying for a master’s degree: a 4-year Bachelor’s degree.
- When applying for a Doctorate degree: a Master’s degree.
- Proficiency in English/successful TOEFL and GRE exams (TOEFL scores of 90 and above are competitive for individuals applying for graduate school in the U.S.).
QUALITIES OF A COMPETIVE CANDIDATE
- Demonstrated leadership qualities
- High motivation and serious commitment to completing the program and returning to Ghana to apply knowledge at home institution or other institutions in-country
- Well-written, professional applications
- Clearly expressed reasons for selecting your U.S. university preferences, reflecting a thorough university search to identify institutions which are a strong fit for your academic, personal, and professional goals
- Strong preference is given to applicants with limited or no experience in the United States
APPLICATION AND INSTRUCTIONS
To apply: Visit the website and provide an email address. – Create a password and keep it safe as you’ll need it throughout the application. – Read the instructions before applying. – Review your application carefully for errors in grammar and spelling. – Avoid plagiarism and do not use capital letters in your application.
We strongly encourage applications from individuals who are historically underrepresented, such as women, residents of rural areas, and individuals with disabilities. We will make reasonable adjustments for those with disabilities who express an interest in applying. To request an accommodation, please send an email to AccraExchange@state.gov with the subject line “Request for Reasonable Accommodation.”
APPLICATION ESSAYS
To complete your application, you must submit two essays: a Study Objective and a Personal Statement. Each essay should be between one and two pages in length. Be aware of plagiarism guidelines. Plagiarism refers to using the words, ideas, or research of another person without giving them credit. If you include the works, research, or even your own previously published works, you must use one of the following citation styles: APA, MLA, or Chicago Style.
1) The Study Objective is crucial in helping reviewers grasp your research goals. It’s the core of your study proposal, explaining why you’re conducting the research and what you aim to achieve. The objective should be concise, outlining:
- A detailed description of the program you want to pursue.
- Specific about your degree objective, major field, and specialized interests within the field.
- Explain why you are interested in this area.
- Describe the kind of program you expect to undertake. How does this fit into your educational background? How does this fit into your future objectives and goals?
- Explain how your research interests are relevant to current trends/challenges in your home country and how you will apply your studies upon returning to your home country.
- Important: References to specific universities or faculty should not be made.
(2) The Personal Statement is a written introduction that helps the reviewer get to know you better. It’s like a paper interview, where you can highlight your strengths and skills. Be brief, but make sure to include your accomplishments to show how you can contribute in the future.
In the U.S., universities and scholarship boards seek comprehensive information about applicants. While test scores and transcripts assess academic ability, they lack insights into personal qualities, ambitions, and reasons for pursuing a specific field.
The personal statement fills this gap, enabling applicants to share unique aspects of their persona and demonstrate their suitability for the program or scholarship. By providing this personal narrative, applicants aim to showcase their exceptional qualities and enhance their appeal to the selection committee.
To create a strong personal statement, prepare thoroughly and craft it thoughtfully. Ask others to review it for consistency, grammar, and spelling. Showcase your identity, values, and life goals. Highlight your skills and experiences that make you exceptional for the chosen field.
Describe the influences that sparked your interest in the field. Express your passion by outlining your future contributions and career aspirations. Reflect on the reasons why you are the right candidate at this time by answering questions like “why me” and “why now.”
Keep in mind when composing your personal statement:
- Address the personal statement specifications fully.
- Use clear, concise language – say what you mean.
- Avoid vague or empty statements, clichés and cultural references that may not translate well to a U.S. audience.
- When you re-use a personal statement, be careful to submit the correct personal statement to the correct scholarship and double-check that all references within the text are to the correct scholarship.
- Proofread your work and ask several individuals to proofread your personal statement and offer their feedback (grammar and spelling mistakes will reflect poorly upon your level of effort).
- Avoid too much overlap with other sections of your application package.
- Address any gaps or weaknesses in your application or academic performance – turn them into a positive if possible.
- Do not plagiarize.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, March 15, 2024. The application and instructions can be found at: https://apply.iie.org/ffsp2025
SOURCE: Informers.us