The Fulbright Program is the U.S. Government’s flagship international educational exchange program. Each year some 800 faculty and professionals from around the world receive Fulbright Scholar grants for advanced research and university lecturing in the United States. Lebanese scholars may seek affiliations with U.S. institutions of higher learning for 3 to 10 months. The 2024-2025 Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program will start in August or September 2024 depending on the institution’s academic year start date.
The mission of the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and people of other countries. It aims to provide educational exchange experiences to individuals not previously afforded such an opportunity, and the experience should be valuable to the scholar; the scholar’s home institution, both faculty and students; and the U.S. host institution. Fulbright Scholars serve as cultural ambassadors and should be prepared to speak about their countries, cultures, and research to academic and community groups.
The Fulbright Program has provided tens of thousands of scholars with the opportunity to establish professional contacts in their field and make long-lasting friendships with colleagues in the United States, develop collaborative research relationships with U.S. scholars, and enhance their scholarly publications and other contributions with research conducted in the United States. Scholars have the opportunity to do research, guest teach, and pursue other scholarly interests in a completely different environment, which can be personally invigorating and professionally stimulating.
Eligibility Requirements for Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program Applicants:
- Hold a Lebanese Passport or a Special Travel Document for Palestinian Refugees. Those individuals selected for this program must submit a passport biodata page copy. U.S. citizens, dual U.S. citizens, or U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs or green card holders) are not eligible for this program.
- Hold a doctoral degree or equivalent professional training and teaching at an accredited Lebanese institution of higher education at the time of application.
- Have English language proficiency appropriate to the proposed teaching and/or research project to be carried out in the United States.
- Be able to submit a Medical History and Examination Report after selection but before their grants can be finalized.
In addition, you should note the following conditions affecting review and selection of candidates:
- Applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability or genetic information
- Preference is given to those applicants without recent experience in the United States.
- Applicants are asked to demonstrate an ability to participate in cultural exchange, fostering greater understanding between the people of the United States and Lebanon. They should also demonstrate the cross-cultural sensitivity, adaptability, and flexibility needed to adjust successfully to life in the United States.
How to Apply for the Program:
Lebanese scholars who are interested in applying for the program should fill out an online application form. The Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program application is available at: https://apply.iie.org/fvsp2024/
A complete application consists of the following:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Project statement detailing the proposed activity to take place at a U.S. university. The proposed project should contribute to the development of knowledge in the applicant’s field and must be completed within a period of 3 to 10 months in the United States.
- Letters of Recommendation (at least 3)
- Letter of invitation or support from the host university in the United States (optional but strongly recommended at the time of application)
- Copy of the biodata page of the Lebanese passport or the Special Travel Document for Palestinian Refugees for the applicant and any dependents that would travel to the United States
Applicants who have any questions can email the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section at BeirutPD@state.gov.
The U.S. Government pays for the participants’ expenses including roundtrip airfare, accommodation and health insurance. Competition is merit-based and university professors from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
The deadline for all applications is December 1, 2023 at 11:59 pm Beirut Time. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.