Fulbright U.S.-ASEAN Visiting Scholar Initiative – FY 2024 – Fully Funded
The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy is pleased to announce the FY2024 competition for the Fulbright U.S.-ASEAN Visiting Scholar Initiative. Applications close at 12:00 p.m. on December 22, 2023.
Program Description
The Fulbright U.S.–ASEAN Visiting Scholar Program is open to university faculty, foreign ministry or other government officials, and professional staff of the private sector, think tanks, and other NGOs in the ASEAN member states. Selected Fulbright U.S.–ASEAN Visiting Scholars will travel to the United States for three to four months during the first half of 2025, where they will carry out scholarly and professional research on priority issues to the U.S.–ASEAN relationship and ASEAN. Projects should be recommended that are regional in scope and/or have clear implications for the entire ASEAN region. Note the criteria for U.S.–ASEAN awards – research on priority issues for the U.S.–ASEAN relationship and ASEAN, with clear regional implications – differ substantially from those for bilateral awards. Recommendations will be accepted from all ASEAN member states. U.S.–ASEAN selection committee anticipates the selection of 20 qualified applicants, including two participants from each of the 10 ASEAN member states.
Fulbright Visiting Scholars may apply to conduct research that supports broad ASEAN initiatives, such as support for regional economic integration, expansion of maritime cooperation, promotion of opportunities for women, and addressing transnational challenges. Fields of study could include, but are not limited to: Education, Financial Market Integration, Food Technology, Information Sciences, Journalism, Law, Public Administration, Public/Global Health, and Trade and Investment. These programs and topics should reflect priority areas of the ASEAN Secretariat and the U.S. Mission to ASEAN, and may also reflect priorities and relevance to the nominating country. Projects that are regional in scope and/or have clear implications for the entire ASEAN region are to be prioritized.
Eligibility
Fulbright U.S.–ASEAN Visiting Scholar applicants should be university faculty, foreign ministry and government officials or professionals in the private sector, think tanks and other NGOs whose work focuses on U.S.–ASEAN issues. Applicants will be expected to have a significant record of scholarly or professional accomplishment; they must be citizens of one of the 10 ASEAN member states; and they must be proficient in English. Preference will be given to qualified applicants who have not had recent and substantial experience in the United States. Applicants must be residing in an ASEAN member state throughout the nomination and selection process, and they must return to an ASEAN country upon completion of their U.S. stay.
Applicants are ineligible if they:
- Are currently teaching, studying, or conducting research in the United States;
- Have received a Fulbright grant within the past five years; or
- Have been to the United States as a J-1 Exchange Visitor in the category of Professor or Research Scholar within the past two years.
Fulbright U.S.–ASEAN Visiting Scholar proposals should be carefully developed projects that will deepen the applicant’s understanding of one or more aspects of the U.S.–ASEAN relationship. While a scholar should expect that the program is primarily focused on research, grantees are also encouraged to expand and develop their network of professional contacts so that professional relationships established during the grantee’s time in the United States can be sustained after the formal grant period has ended. In addition, grantees will be expected to seek opportunities to provide an ASEAN perspective during their time in the United States through guest lectures, seminars, or participation in academic or professional conferences. All applicants are urged to establish a likely affiliation with a U.S. institution, including universities, think tanks, and research institutes, in advance of submitting their formal applications. Letters of invitation will enable program organizers to finalize suitable affiliations. Note: all of the selected Fulbright U.S.–ASEAN Visiting Scholars are to come to the United States during the first half of 2025, starting their grant between January and March 2025. Program timing may be subject to change due to travel restrictions or other considerations.
Application Procedures
Each Fulbright U.S.–ASEAN Visiting Scholar candidate will be required to submit an online application via the online management system administered by the Institute of International Education/Council for International Exchange of Scholars (IIE/CIES). Once the applications have been submitted, the U.S. Embassy will review and nominate candidates to the U.S. Mission to ASEAN. Finalist applications from the regional competition will then be forwarded electronically for review by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and approval by the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FFSB).
The following materials comprise a complete application:
- Application
- Project statement (three to five pages)
- Bibliography
- Curriculum vitae (up to six pages)
- Letter of invitation from host institution in the U.S. (strongly preferred, but not required). HOWEVER, please note that all participants will be required to have a confirmed letter of invitation prior to final selection and/or departure.
- Letters of recommendation (at least two are required)
To apply, click https://apply.iie.org/fvsp2024
Award Terms
Fulbright U.S.–ASEAN Visiting Scholar awards will provide:
- A monthly stipend for grantees, between US $2,710 and $3,145/month, depending on the U.S. city.
- A direct-flight, round-trip economy-class air ticket.
- A $1,250 Professional and Settling-in allowance.
- Qualifying university lab and research fees up to $3,000, as necessary.
- No dependent support will be available.
- Research project must be at least three months, but no more than four months in length.
Note: Fulbright U.S.–ASEAN Visiting Scholars typically convene in Washington, D.C. near the end of their program during the first half of 2025.