U.S. Embassy in Rwanda: Fulbright Foreign Student Program

Deadline: 1 April 2019

The U.S. Embassy in Kigali, Rwanda is inviting applications for the annual competition for the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, the largest Fulbright program, designed primarily to strengthen African universities through higher degree training.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants should be affiliated with an academic or professional institution in Rwanda and committed to work in their home institutions upon completion of the designated program.
• Nominees must have at least the equivalent of four (4) years of university study and the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree. Nominees that have three (3) years of tertiary study should have the equivalent of thirteen (13) years of primary and secondary school and their undergraduate degree should allow them to be eligible to pursue higher education in their home country.
• Applicants should have a sufficient level of English proficiency to enable them to engage in full-time graduate level study in the United States.
• Applicants must meet the minimum scores on required standardized tests. The ideal TOEFL score is 100 or above for Internet Based test or the equivalent in other test forms.
• Applicants must have outstanding academic records, references and preparation in their chosen fields.
• Applicants must demonstrate serious commitment to completing the program and returning home.
• Applicants must be citizens or nationals of Rwanda and reside in Rwanda.
• Preference will be given to applicants who have not previously studied in the United States.
• Applicants with no extensive or recent U.S. experience will be given preference.
• Qualified women are encouraged to apply.
• Qualified candidates living with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
• Although core Fulbright Exchanges are with universities, candidates who are affiliated with other educational, cultural, or professional institutions may also apply.

Selection Process

• Testing
  • All semi-finalists, both principal and alternates, will be required to take TOEFL and GRE tests. The U.S. Embassy will provide guidance on when and how to register for tests.
• Fulbright Selection is a Year-Long Process
  • After national selection, independent committees review final nominations in the United States. These review committees make recommendations to the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.
• Long-Term English Training (LTE)
  • In special cases, very competitive applicants with low TOEFL scores can be recommended for a long-Term English Training (LTE) preacademic program. Their TOEFL score must be in the range of 61-76, and they must be available to begin their LTE training in January 2020.
  • On successful completion of their language training and admission to an appropriate university academic program, grantees will be admitted into the Fulbright Foreign Student Program to pursue their degrees within the guidelines of the J. William Fulbright Scholarship Board.
• Grant Provisions
  • Fulbright Foreign Student Program grants provide:
    • Round-trip economy international travel and excess-baggage allowance;
    • An allowance for settling in;
    • A pre-academic orientation program;
    • A monthly maintenance allowance and funding for books and professional activities;
    • Tuition and university fees;
    • Limited accident and sickness insurance (does not include preexisting conditions and pregnancy);
    • Program required field trips;
    • Academic training.
• Fulbright Foreign Student Program will fund candidates selected for the degree study for a maximum of two years. All awards are contingent upon approval by the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, availability of funds, and successful academic placement. This program does not provide financial support for dependent spouses or children.

How to Apply

• Interested applicants can apply online via given website.
• Applications submitted by hard copy, by email, or after the deadline will not be considered.
• Short-listed candidates will be invited for an in-person interview at the Embassy that will determine semi-finalists.

For more information, please visit https://rw.usembassy.gov/call-for-application-fulbright-foreign-student-program/