2020 Fulbright Specialist Program is Open for Applications

Deadline: 28 February 2020

The Fulbright Specialist Program in Kosovo is open for Kosovo host institutions to submit project ideas for qualified U.S. scholars and professionals.

The Fulbright Specialist Program is a part of the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program. The program awards grants for projects that will last between two and six weeks.

A Fulbright Specialist grant may be funded for anywhere between 14 and 42 days, including travel days. Fulbright Kosovo will give preference to projects for the maximum program length of 42 days. The stay in Kosovo should be uninterrupted as it cannot be split up into several periods. A Fulbright Specialist grant should include opportunities to collaborate with professional counterparts on faculty development, institutional planning and a variety of other activities. For example, Fulbright Specialists may:

Conduct needs assessments, surveys, institutional or program research
Take part in specialized academic programs and conferences
Consult with administrators and instructors from post-secondary institutions on faculty development
Present lectures at graduate and undergraduate levels
Participate in or lead seminars or workshops
Develop and/or assess academic curricula or educational materials
Conduct teacher-training programs at the tertiary level

Focus Areas

Applications will be accepted for Fulbright Specialists in the following fields:

Education
Agriculture
Anthropology and Archaeology
Biology
Business Administration
Chemistry
Communications and Journalism
Economics
Engineering
Environmental Science
Information Technology
Law
Library Science
Math
Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies
Physics
Political Science and Public Administration
Public and Global Health
Sociology and Social Work
U.S. Studies in Art, Art History, Dance, History, Literature, Music, Popular Culture & Theater
Urban Planning

Preference will be given to projects that:

Involve more than one department/unit at the inviting host institution and/or
Are interdisciplinary in nature and/or
Help develop institutional strategies at the host institution and/or
Involve community stakeholders outside the host institution and/or
Promote academic innovation.

Benefits

Follow country-specific processes or competition requirements and develop a project that fits the parameters of FSP.
Provide in-country cost share for the Specialist, including lodging, meals, and in-country transportation, either through monetary or in-kind contributions, throughout their full stay in country.
Provide secure, safe and comfortable housing for the Specialist. Typical accommodations are hotels, university housing, and (if organized in consultation with the Specialist candidate and approved by them) approved homestays with host institution staff or faculty.
Organize and provide funding or in-kind assistance for pick-up/drop-off at the airport.
Provide funding or in-kind assistance for all meals, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Typical options include stipends to provide opportunities for Specialists to go to local cafes or shop for groceries, university cafeterias, meals at a homestay, etc. The funding must be calculated in USD.
Notify U.S. Embassy of any problems or concerns while the Specialist is carrying out his or her project.
Complete the final report survey.
Report to the post or Commission regarding a project’s impact or media coverage.

Eligibility Criteria

The Fulbright Specialist Program is open to qualified U.S. scholars and professionals in the fields listed above.
- Inviting institutions must be accredited higher education institutions.
- Inviting academic institutions can identify any qualified U.S. Scholar (a name request). This person will have to go through a screening process for final eligibility.
- Institutions can also select a candidate from the existing Specialist Roster (a list with pre-approved scholars). These “Roster” scholars do not have to go through another screening process.
Requirements
- U.S. citizen at the time of application. Permanent resident status is not sufficient.
- A PhD or equivalent professional/terminal degree at the time of application. For professionals and artists outside academia, recognized professional standing and substantial professional accomplishments are required.
- Persons residing abroad for five or more consecutive years in the six-year period preceding the date of application are ineligible. Residing abroad is defined as living outside the United States for nine months or more during a calendar year. Duty abroad in the U.S. Armed Forces is not considered disqualifying within the meaning of this section.
- Disclosure of prior conviction or current indictment for commission of a felony. Prior conviction or current indictment may result in disqualification.
Applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or physical impairment.
Costs for lodging, meals, and in-country transportation must be covered by the host institution.