U.S. Embassy in Laos

Deadline: December 20, 2021

The Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy is pleased to announce the 2022 Fulbright U.S.-ASEAN Visiting Scholar Program. The deadline to submit form is December 20, 2021.

–Candidates will be able to access the online application at https://apply.iie.org/fvsp2022.

Program Description: 

The Fulbright U.S.-ASEAN Visiting Scholar Program is open to university faculty, foreign ministry or other government officials, and professional staff of the private sector, think tanks, and other NGOs in the ASEAN Member States.  Selected Fulbright U.S.-ASEAN Visiting Scholars will travel to the United States for 3-4 months during the first half of 2023, where they will carry out scholarly and professional research on priority issues to the U.S.–ASEAN relationship and ASEAN.  Projects that are regional in scope and/or have clear implications for the entire ASEAN region will be considered for this program.

Fulbright U.S.-ASEAN Visiting Scholar proposals should be carefully developed projects that will deepen the applicant’s understanding of one or more aspects of the U.S – ASEAN  relationship.   While it is expected that the majority of time will be spent in research, grantees are also encouraged to expand and develop their network of professional contacts so that professional relationships established during the grantee’s time in the United States can be sustained after the formal grant period has ended.  In addition, grantees will be expected to seek opportunities to provide an ASEAN perspective during their time in the United States through guest lectures, seminars, or participation in academic or professional conferences.  All applicants are urged to establish a likely affiliation with a U.S. institution, including universities, think tanks, and research institutes, in advance of submitting their formal applications.  Letters of invitation will enable program organizers to finalize suitable affiliations.  Note: The program timing may be subject to change due to travel restrictions or other considerations.

Background:

The Fulbright U.S.–ASEAN Visiting Scholar Initiative, which was started in 2012, intends to deepen people-to-people engagement and strengthen U.S. ties with the 10 member nations of ASEAN, while specifically emphasizing the importance of ASEAN. Since the program began in 2012, more than 100 scholars from all 10 ASEAN Member States have been awarded scholarships to pursue studies focused on a wide range of subjects including public health / pandemic response, jurisdictional issues in the South China Sea, engagement across the Indo-Pacific region, ASEAN economic integration, human trafficking, and food safety.

Fulbright Visiting Scholars may apply to conduct research that supports broad ASEAN initiatives, such as support for regional economic integration, expansion of maritime cooperation, promotion of opportunities for women, and addressing transnational challenges. Fields of study could include, but are not limited to: Education, Financial Market Integration, Food Technology, Information Sciences, Journalism, Law, Public Administration, Public/Global Health, and Trade and Investment.

These programs and topics should reflect priority areas of the ASEAN Secretariat and the U.S. Mission to ASEAN, and may also reflect priorities and relevance to the nominating country.  Projects that are regional in scope and/or have clear implications for the entire ASEAN region are to be prioritized.

Eligibility:

Fulbright U.S.–ASEAN Visiting Scholar applicants should be university faculty, foreign ministry and government officials, or professionals in the private sector, think tanks and other NGOs whose work focuses on U.S.–ASEAN issues. Applicants will be expected to have a significant record of scholarly or professional accomplishment; they must be citizens of one of the ten ASEAN Member States; and they must be proficient in English. Preference will be given to qualified applicants who have not had recent and substantial experience in the United States. Applicants must be residing in an ASEAN Member State throughout the nomination and selection process, and they must return to an ASEAN country upon completion of their U.S. stay.

Applicants are ineligible if they:

1. Are currently teaching, studying, or conducting research in the United States;
2. Have received a Fulbright grant within the past five years; or
3. Have been to the U.S. as a J-1 Exchange Visitor in the category of Professor or Research Scholar within the past two years.

The following materials comprise a complete application:

• Application
• Project statement (three to five pages)
• Bibliography
• Curriculum vitae (up to six pages)
• Letter of invitation (strongly preferred, but not required)
• Letters of recommendation (at least two are required)

Award Terms: Fulbright U.S.-ASEAN Visiting Scholar awards will provide:

• A monthly stipend for grantees, between US $2,710 and $3,145/month, depending on the U.S. city.
• A direct-flight, round-trip economy-class air ticket.
• A $1,250 Professional and Settling-in allowance.
• Qualifying university lab and research fees up to $3,000, as necessary.
• No dependent support will be available.