Screening&Selection1

SCREENING AND SELECTION GUIDANCE
I. SELECTION PRIORITIES
LONG-TERM ENGLISH
English proficiency should not be an eliminating factor for applicants who demonstrate academic
excellence, leadership potential, a commitment to cross-cultural exchange and possess all the other
qualities of a strong Fulbright participant. To support diversity in the Fulbright program selection,
principal nominees whose educational background may not have prepared them with the English skills
necessary for admission to U.S. graduate programs are eligible, with ECA approval, for 6-9 months of
Long-term English Training (LTE) prior to their grant start date.
We encourage you to interview and consider competitive candidates who possess high qualifications but
may have limited English skills. If selected, such candidates can be nominated with the condition that
the nominee will undertake LTE training.
DIVERSITY
In order to ensure that the Fulbright Program draws its candidates from the widest possible pool of
high-caliber individuals, Field Offices, Commissions and Posts will actively disseminate information on
the Fulbright Program to different types and sizes of institutions, and will engage in such recruitment
activities to encourage participation in the Fulbright Program of persons of diverse backgrounds.
INTERVIEW CRITERIA
The candidate must demonstrate:
Ability to articulate reasons for pursuing chosen field of study in the US
Recognition of the benefit of field of study to home country development
Potential for being a successful cultural ambassador in the U.S. for his/her
country
Interest in and commitment to cross-cultural exchange
Evidence of adaptability
Ideal candidates will often illustrate leadership potential

II. SCREENING GUIDANCE
When first screening the applications, this guidance should be followed.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
A complete, neat and error-free application must be submitted by the official application deadline.
CITIZENSHIP
a. Candidates must be citizens or nationals of that country, or permanent residents qualified to hold a
valid passport issued by that country.
b. Persons holding both citizenship in a partner country and the U.S. are ineligible for Fulbright grants to
the United States. Likewise, persons holding permanent residency in the U.S. are ineligible for Fulbright
grants to the United States.
EXPERIENCE IN THE UNITED STATES
a. Preference will be given to candidates who have not had extensive recent experience in the United
States.
b. A candidate who has resided in the United States for five or more consecutive years in the six-year
period preceding the date of application is ineligible for a grant.
c. Students already in the United States are ineligible for a grant.
PREVIOUS FULBRIGHT GRANT
As a general matter, preference for Fulbright student opportunities will be given to candidates who have
not previously received a Fulbright student grant.
NONDISCRIMINATION
Candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age,
disability, political affiliation, marital status, status as a parent, protected genetic information, or
sexual orientation.
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
a. Candidates’ Bachelor's degree must be conferred by the time they begin his or her grant.
b. Candidates must meet the academic requirements of the U.S. institution with which they
will be affiliated as demonstrated by academic records and recommendations
c. Relevance of academic or professional background to proposed field of study
d. Graduate entrance exam scores (GRE or GMAT) if required in advance.
THE FOLLOWING PERSONS ARE INELIGIBLE FOR GRANTS DURING AND FOR A PERIOD ENDING ONE
YEAR FOLLOWING THE TERMINATION OF SUCH EMPLOYMENT OR ASSOCIATION:
a. Employees of U.S. missions abroad who work for the U.S. Department of State or the U.S.
Agency for International Development. This provision includes all employees, paid or unpaid
(including part-time or temporary employees, consultants, externs, fellows and contract
employees).
b. Board members or staff of a Fulbright Commission;
c. Officers of an organization that is responsible for nominating or selecting individuals for
participation in any exchange program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs;
d. Immediate family members of individuals described in paragraphs a-c.
MEDICAL STUDIES
Candidates who wish to pursue studies as medical students are not eligible. Candidates with
medical degrees may receive grants for advanced academic study, but not for internships or
residencies. Grants shall not authorize activity for which a license to practice medicine or nursing is
required.
III. SELECTION CRITERIA
Those candidates whose applications are ranked highly, are then invited for an interview.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Excellence of academic record and other qualifying educational or related professional experience
will be significant factors in selection.
INTENDED FIELD OF STUDY PROPOSAL
Candidates should be evaluated for the goals and feasibility of their proposed field of study.
Applications should reflect enduring concerns, emphasize basic subjects, demonstrate sound
methodology, and avoid politicization of scholarly inquiry.
ADAPTABILITY
Adaptability and personal suitability will be factors in nomination and selection. Applicants should
be responsible citizens who can contribute to a full and fair picture of the culture and civilization of
their countries and thereby contribute to understanding and friendship between the people of the
United States and of other nations. They should also show the flexibility needed to adjust
successfully to life in the United States.
EVIDENCE OF LEADERSHIP
Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate the potential for leadership as a Fulbright
grantee and alumni. The candidate can talk about their past or future projects that exemplify
different forms of leadership.
COMMITMENT TO HOME COUNTRY AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE
a. Potential for being a successful cultural ambassador in the U.S. for his/her country
b. Interest in and commitment to cross-cultural exchange
c. Recognition of the benefit that the field of study has to home country development
IV. ADDITIONAL SELECTION FACTORS
AVAILABILITY
Candidates are solely responsible for obtaining any necessary leave of absence or making other
arrangements to enable them to accept the grant.
HEALTH
Applicants must be able to fulfill the conditions of the grant as determined in a medical examination
to be conducted no more than six months in advance of the grant period.
ACCEPTABILITY TO THE UNITED STATES

Candidates must be acceptable to the United States and must comply with U.S. laws and
regulations regarding immigration and naturalization.

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SCREENING AND SELECTION GUIDANCE

Recognition of the benefit of field of study to home country development

Interest in and commitment to cross-cultural exchange

Ideal candidates will often illustrate leadership potential

EXPERIENCE IN THE UNITED STATES

COMMITMENT TO HOME COUNTRY AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE

IV. ADDITIONAL SELECTION FACTORS

ACCEPTABILITY TO THE UNITED STATES

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