Frequently Asked Questions: Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES)

 

•  How can I get an application?                                                                                                                                                             CIES only accepts online applications. Please read the application guidelines before beginning your application. Begin or return to your application here.
   
• Do I have to know a foreign language?
  Most lecturers teach in English, with some exceptions in Latin America and Africa.
  If you are applying for a research award, your foreign language ability must meet the needs of the project. Be certain to indicate in your methodology discussion how you will need to use the language, since activities vary and reviewers should not have to make assumptions.

• Do I need to have an  invitation letter ?
  This depends on the award. Some countries require an invitation letter, especially for open “All Disciplines” awards. Other countries encourage but do not require a letter of invitation, while others still specifically request that you do not contact potential host institutions. The preference is clearly spelled out in the award description. If it is not clear, contact the program officer responsible for that country.

• I need an  invitation letter . How do I get one?
  If you do not have a contact, your goal is to determine the name of an appropriate faculty member for a specific discipline or subfield within the discipline. Once you have determined possible hosts, write that faculty member a description of who you are (an attached C.V. can be helpful) and what you want to do while in that country. Note that you plan to apply for a Fulbright grant and that the application requires a letter of invitation. There may be several communications before a letter is forthcoming, but this method often works.

• Are there summer awards available?
  Each country establishes the time period for its grants, so you should check the timeframe indicated for each program as well as for particular awards. For the most part, grant periods follow the academic calendar in the host country for lecturing awards. So, if universities are in session from May to August, then an award in the summer may be possible. For research awards, there is a fair amount of latitude on the starting date, but the proposed schedule must fit within the parameters established by the country.

• If I am selected, can I take my family with me on my grant?
  This depends on the award and host country. Most awards have no restrictions on accompanying dependents; however, some awards do have restrictions. Check the award description and/or consult the program staff responsible for that award. Many grantees bring their families and report that the time abroad benefited all family members. No additional financial benefits for dependents are awarded for the Fulbright Global Scholar Award.

• If I already had a Fulbright, can I get another one?.
  Preference for Fulbright Scholar opportunities will be given to candidates who have not previously received a Fulbright Scholar grant.  Recipients of a Fulbright Scholar grant are eligible to apply for another Fulbright Scholar grant two years after the date of completion of the previous grant. (For serial grants, the two-year period begins at the end of the final grant in the series.) Additional Fulbright policies are available here.

• Can I apply to more than one country?
  Only through the Global Scholar Award or multi-country awards may applicants include more than one country (within a region or outside a region) in their application. For all other awards, applicants may apply for only one country or regional program per academic year. Please consult the Catalog of Awardsfor the most up to date award offerings.

• Can I apply to the Fulbright Scholar Program if I am on the Fulbright Specialist Roster?
  You are allowed to apply to the Fulbright Scholar Program while on the Fulbright Specialist roster. Recipients of a Fulbright Specialist Program grant are not required to adhere to the two-year waiting period before applying for a Fulbright Scholar grant.  Likewise, recipients of a Fulbright Scholar grant are not required to adhere to the two-year waiting period before applying for a Fulbright Specialist Program grant.

• How can I make my application more successful?
  There is no "formula" for a successful grant. Each individual's application should be about the candidate, how the grant time will be spent, and what outcomes can be reasonably expected. What is successful for one applicant may not be effective for another applicant. The responsible program officer is a good point of contact for discussions of how to shape a competitive application. Also, see ourapplication guidelines for tips on making your application more competitive.

• Who should write my reference letters?
  While it is useful to have someone with a known reputation in the field, the best criteria for recommendations is someone who knows your work and character extensively. CIES also advise mixing internal and external letters to demonstrate the breadth of your contacts. You may also contact a professional reference who knows you well. For teaching or teaching/research awards, one letter should be written by the head of your department or dean of your school. Please see theapplication guidelines and developing contacts abroad for additional information.

• How is my application reviewed and how am I notified?
  Your application will initially be reviewed for program eligibility and technical completeness. All complete, eligible applications are then reviewed by a peer review committee. These committees determine whether applications are recommended for further consideration by the host country (review criteria). These committees are organized by discipline and are comprised of U.S. academics and professionals with relevant expertise. Applications for recommended candidates are simultaneously forwarded to the CIES counterparts abroad, as well as to the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board and the Department of State (Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs) for final decisions and confirmation. Grantees are informed of the decisions sometime in the spring. (Notification Timeline).

• What health benefits do Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program grantees receive while on their grant?
  As a U.S. government funded exchange participant, Fulbright grantees qualify to receiveAccident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE), a limited health care benefit plan designed by the U.S. Department of State and administered by Seven Corners, Inc. It is not intended to cover long-term healthcare and has limitations in coverage. CIES encourage grantees to maintain their own private insurance.

• What are the financial benefits of Fulbright awards?
  Grant benefits vary by country and type of award. Generally speaking, Fulbright grants are budgeted to cover travel and living costs in-country for the grantee and their accompanying dependents. Check the award description in the catalog of awards and/or consult program staff responsible for the particular award you are interested in.

• Can I apply to the Fulbright Scholar Program to fund MA/PhD research?                                                                                       The Fulbright Scholar Program does not support research activities for obtaining an MA/PhD, however you may wish to review the opportunities provided by the Fulbright Student Program.

• I am a retired academic or professional, can I still go on a Fulbright grant?
  Yes, the Fulbright Scholar Program welcomes scholars and professionals at all stages of their careers. As is required of all applicants, the project statement should address the expected benefits of the Fulbright grant to you (professionally and personally), to the United States (how will you share your experience when you return?), and to your host institution.

• I applied last year and was unsuccessful. How can I find out why I wasn’t selected so I can improve my application for the current competition?
  Final selections are based on feedback from the U.S. peer review committees as well as posts and commissions abroad. CIES operates in conformity with the policies of the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FFSB). According to FFSB policy, CIES cannot give applicants the specific reasons for selection or non-selection. If you are interested in reapplying, you are encouraged to contact the CIES country or regional lead, who can provide general guidance on reapplying.