Fulbright Student Scholarship Program

All qualified students are now invited to apply for the 2014-2015 Fulbright Student Scholarship Program, a grant to obtain a master’s degree at a university in the United States. The program, which covers a maximum of two academic years of study beginning in August 2014, is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Embassy in Beirut. Originally proposed by Senator J. William Fulbright in 1945, this scholarship has become the U.S. government’s flagship program in international educational exchange. The program is fully funded by the U.S. Congress and administered by AMIDEAST. 

The grant includes: roundtrip airfare between Lebanon and the United States, tuition, books, health insurance, and room and board.  Funding is not available to meet the expenses of Fulbright students’ dependents (spouses, children, parents, etc.)

A. Applicant Requirements

A competitive applicant will have an excellent academic record, strong English language skills, an outstanding character, and the commitment to return to Lebanon upon completion of the program.  Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Must be a Lebanese citizen or a legal, long-term Palestinian resident in Lebanon. 
• Cannot be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident (green card holder). 
• Must have a bachelor’s degree from an institution recognized by the Lebanese Ministry of Higher Education (or will graduate with a bachelor’s degree before summer 2014). 
• Has demonstrated academic excellence within his/her field of specialization. 
• Will pursue a field of study benefiting Lebanese society and/or Lebanese-American relations. 
• May apply for a master’s degree in any field of study except electrical, mechanical and computer engineering, dentistry, medicine, pharmacy, nursing, or other clinical fields (nursing administration is permitted). Students from all disciplines are welcome to apply, but priority will be given to fields of study in: humanities, social sciences, political science, public administration, journalism, urban planning, rural and economic development or fields that are not available in Lebanon.
• Obtain a minimum TOEFL score of 80 (internet-based test).

Application Deadline: Thursday, May 16, 2013

B. Provisions

• Preference will be given to applicants who have not previously studied in the United States.
• Fulbright students must return to Lebanon for at least two years upon completion of the program and will not be eligible for U.S. employment, immigration or residency visas during that time period. Fulbright students are eligible to apply for student, tourist, and business visas to the U.S. after completing the Fulbright program.

C. Application Instructions

• Complete the application online at https://apply.embark.com/student/fulbright/international/20/. 
• Check out the flyer (736 Kb) for more information.
• Answer all questions accurately and completely. 
• Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted under any circumstance. 
• Carefully write the essays which are key components of the application.  Each essay must be a minimum of 250 to a maximum of 600 words.  The selection committee will review these essays closely. 
• Present the following supporting documents to the AMIDEAST office: 

1. TOEFL iBT score Note: The paper-based ITP TOEFL available at AMIDEAST is acceptable at the time of application. Selected finalists will be required to take the TOEFL iBT for entry into graduate programs.
2. One official transcript (or certified copy) for each undergraduate and graduate degree (in English).
3. Documentation of class rank (if available) 
4. Copy of all degrees in English (if available) 
5. Three sealed letters of recommendation (two from university professors). Letters of recommendation can be submitted online. Master of Business Administration (MBA) candidates: Three letters of recommendation (two from professional colleagues). Note: All recommendations must be submitted on the official Fulbright letter of recommendation form available at the website. Anyone writing a recommendation should not submit a letter using any other format. 
6. Curriculum vitae or résumé 
7. Copy of only the biodata information page in English from the applicant’s passport (if available)
8. Two recent passport-sized photos with applicant’s name written on the back

Optional Submission of Graduate-Level Exam Scores

• Applicants for most graduate programs must take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). 
• MBA degree applicants must take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) instead of the GRE and have a minimum of two years of work experience (by August 2013). 
• Applicants are not required to submit graduate exam results at the time of application. Scores may be submitted if available. Final selection of Fulbright grantees, however, will be contingent upon successful completion of the requisite exams in August 2013. Serious applicants are encouraged to prepare in advance for these required exams. 

Submission deadline for all application materials is Thursday, May 16, 2013 (4:30 p.m.) 

 Applications must be completed online. Supporting documents must be received at AMIDEAST by Thursday, May 16, 2013.  Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. 

Short-listed candidates will be invited for an in-person interview in late June 2013.  Phone interviews are not possible. For additional Fulbright program and application information, please contact AMIDEAST: 

Bazerkan Building, First Floor Nejmeh Square (next to Parliament) Beirut Central District Phone: (01) 989901, ext 162 Email: lebanon@amideast.org Web: www.amideast.org/lebanon Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm Friday 8:00 am – 3:30 pm