Academics

Fulbright Scholars Program application season opens Feb. 1

Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Faculty members planning to apply for a sabbatical are encouraged to consider applying for a Fulbright Scholar award. Award descriptions can be found in the Fulbright online catalog. The 2018-19 Core Fulbright U.S. Scholar program application season will open Feb. 1 and run through Aug. 1, 2017.

In 2015-16, nine Penn State faculty, staff and students were awarded Fulbright Scholarships.

“A Fulbright experience is not just a passing experience; it has implications for professional and curriculum development. The program is one of the fruitful ways to internationalize an institution,” said Sylvester Osagie, Penn State’s Fulbright Representative.

To assist with the application process, the vice provost for Global Programs charged discipline-based Fulbright panels to review project statements by Penn State faculty Fulbright applicants prior to submission. The panels are designed to give faculty the best chance to compete successfully, with additional advising tools and peer-support in place. Panel members are past recipients who value their experiences and would like to preserve the Fulbright tradition at Penn State.

Penn State faculty applying for a Fulbright should upload project statements to Global Programs, and these statements will be forwarded to the appropriate panels. Peer reviewers will correspond directly with the applicants.

Another option to participate in the Fulbright Scholars program is to host a scholar at Penn State through the Fulbright program.

Michael Naydan, Woskob Family Professor of Ukrainian Studies and professor of Slavic Languages and Literatures, has hosted Fulbright scholars at Penn State for many years.

“It is one of the most rewarding things I do,” said Naydan, who has developed a relationship with the Kyiv Fulbright office in Ukraine over the years. “The staff help me connect with scholars that would be a good match for our department. I look for scholars that will add something to the department curriculum and who can give our students a unique perspective.”

Naydan helps facilitate the visits working with his department and head to ensure a smooth transition. He even picks scholars up at the airport and helps to arrange housing.

“It’s important to create a comfortable environment right off the start so your relationship with the scholar will be a good one,” Naydan said.

The Fulbright Scholars Program, sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs section of the U.S. State Department, provides funding for scholars, teachers and professionals to undertake advanced research and teaching activities around the world.

For more information, please contact Sylvester O. Osagie, soo1@psu.edu, or Kristine Crassweller, kac400@psu.edu, in Global Programs.

Last Updated December 9, 2016