The Fulbright Commission in Brussels is offering two unique opportunities for Belgian and Luxembourgish students and scholars in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at Florida Polytechnic University.
INTENDED PROGRAMS
- Master's
- Post-Doctoral Research
APPLICATION PERIOD
September 15 till December 1 (at noon)
IMPORTANT
Review eligibility requirements below and include all required documents in your online application.
GRADUATE STUDIES
Florida Polytechnic University provides a scholarship for a Belgian or Luxembourgish student to pursue a master’s degree (one or two year) at Florida Polytechnic University in the College of Innovation & Technology or College of Engineering. Successful applicants will have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a STEM-related field and will submit an independent application to Florida Polytechnic University.
An overview of the graduate programs offered can be found here: https://floridapoly.edu/degree/graduate/index.php
VISITING RESEARCH CHAIR
The Fulbright Visiting Research Chair at Florida Polytechnic University is a research position for Belgian and Luxembourgish post-doctoral researchers and professors. The Fulbright Chair will carry out the program of research, teaching, and service outlined in the successful application, normally for a minimum of one semester.
The selected grantee will be focused on research pertaining to any of the following general subject areas: Computer science, Computer engineering, Mechanical engineering, Industrial engineering, Operations research, Health informatics and big data, Autonomous vehicles.
BENEFITS BY FLORIDA POLY
- Support during the fall and spring semesters, renewable on a semester-by-semester basis for up to three academic semesters
- The assistantship includes two support elements: direct payment for services as a teaching and/or research assistant and tuition support
- The direct pay for services is paid as a stipend of $4800 for each semester ($9600 a year)
- Tuition support at the in-state graduate student level is available for up to 9 hours per semester tuition paid)
- All out-of-state fees are waived
ELIGIBILITY
- Belgian or Luxembourgish citizenship
- Proficiency in English
- Minimum of a bachelor's degree
- Academic excellence, generally defined as distinction in each year of study or a grand distinction in the most recent year of study; please note that candidates without these grades are still encouraged to apply if they have outstanding personal or professional backgrounds
BENEFITS BY FULBRIGHT
- J-1 visa sponsorship
- Pre-departure support
- Travel stipend of $1000
- Health benefit plan
- In-country programming (e.g. Gateway Orientations, Enrichment Seminars)
- Prestigious title and alumni network
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
- Americanized CV
- Study or Research Objectives Essay
- Personal Statement Essay
- Transcripts and diplomas from most recent degree
- Three letters of recommendation (uploaded directly into online application by chosen recommenders)
BENEFITS BY FLORIDA POLY
- Financial support of $25,000
- On-campus support (e.g. office space)
ELIGIBILITY
- Belgian or Luxembourgish citizenship
- Proficiency in English
- Minimum of a doctoral degree (PhD) by the time of departure or 5+ years of professional experience
- Academic excellence or outstanding personal/professional background
BENEFITS BY FULBRIGHT
- J-1 visa sponsorship
- Pre-departure support
- Travel stipend of $1000
- Health benefit plan
- In-country programming (e.g. Enrichment Seminars)
- Prestigious title and alumni network
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
- Americanized CV
- 3 to 5 page single-spaced Project Statement
- 1 to 3 page Bibliography of References relevant to the proposed research
- Transcripts and diplomas from most recent degree. Note: You must have a PhD diploma in hand by the time of departure to the U.S.
- Three letters of recommendation (uploaded directly into online application by chosen recommenders)
HOW TO APPLY
The application period to apply for this grant is between September 15 and December 1 for applicants who intend to start their program in the next academic year.
E.g., if you intend to start a program in the academic year of 2024-2025, you will need to apply for a grant between September 15 and December 1, 2023.
If selected, applicants will need to go through the admission process at Florida Polytechnic University (for students) or receive a letter of invitation (scholars). Interested applicants are advised to contact us before starting their application.
Every applicant needs to complete an online application by noon on December 1 including the required documents. No papers should be mailed to our office. Incomplete applications will not be considered for an award.
All applications are evaluated by our Selections Committee. The most competitive applicants demonstrate ambassadorial qualities and a genuine interest in cultural exchange. It is important for candidates to articulate a clear, creative, and feasible plan for their time in the United States and to explain why this is the right time to pursue their plan and how their grant will ultimately help them achieve their personal and professional goals in the future. The Commission is looking for candidates who will have a multiplier effect within their U.S., Belgian or Luxembourgish communities and who wish to ultimately return to Belgium or Luxembourg to share their knowledge and experiences after their grant has ended.
Candidates with strong completed applications submitted by the deadline will be invited to the Commission in the last week of January for a mandatory interview in English. Interviews are in person, and cannot be rescheduled. The interview will include a discussion of your motivations for going to the U.S., your plans when you arrive, and how you will improve U.S. relations between Belgium or Luxembourg as an alumni when you return. Successful candidates will demonstrate ambassadorial qualities, English proficiency, and the ability to explain their academic proposal in simple terms. The Selections Committee is composed of Belgian, Luxembourgish and American professors, professionals, government officials, and Fulbright alumni from various fields.
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
I am a Belgian/Luxembourgish citizen living abroad. Can I apply?
As a Belgian or Luxembourgish citizen, you may apply for a Fulbright grant if you are living in any country except the United States. If you are resident in the United States, a dual U.S.-Belgium or U.S.-Luxembourg citizen, or hold a Green Card at the time of application, you are ineligible to apply.
I am a Belgian/Luxembourgish citizen currently pursuing my studies in the United States. Am I eligible to apply for the Fulbright Program?
Candidates already in the United States at the time of application and those who have resided in the U.S. for five or more years in the six-year period preceding the date of application are ineligible to apply. Moreover, please note that preference will be given to those who have not had substantial recent experience in the U.S. with “substantial recent experience” being study, research or employment for a period of aggregating more than an academic year (9 months) during the past five years.
I intend to pursue a medical residency or clinical medical research or training in the U.S.? Can I apply?
The Fulbright Program will not fund applicants seeking to enroll in a medical degree program nor does it offer grants to those who wish to conduct clinical medical research or training involving patient care and/or contact. (both human and animal)
As a participant in the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, will I be subject to the two-year home requirement after my grant?
Yes. All Fulbright grantees must travel to the U.S. on a J-1 visa, which requires them to return to Belgium or their country of permanent legal residency for at least two years at some point after their grant before they are allowed to return to the U.S. to live or work permanently on an H, L, K or LPR visa. More information about the two-year rule can be found here.
Am I responsible for arranging my own affiliation/acceptance to my host institution?
Yes. Applying to a host institution in the United States is a separate, simultaneous process. Please note that if you have chosen a university as your host institution, its accreditation should be recognized by either the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education.
What is the difference between the Study or Research Objectives Essay and the Personal Statement Essay?
The Study or Research Objectives Essay should provide a clear and detailed description of your study or research objectives, and your reasons for wanting to pursue them. Be specific about your major field and your specialized interests within this field, but remember that your application will likely be read by a variety of people, including some who are not experts in your field. Describe the kind of program you expect to undertake, and explain how your study plan fits in with your previous training and your future objectives. The Personal Statement Essay is a narrative statement describing how you have achieved your current goals; it should include information about education, practical experience, special interests, and career plans. You can also use the Personal Statement to describe any significant factors that have influenced your educational or professional development and explain your existing practical experience.
When do I need to provide proof of affiliation/acceptance to a U.S. university in my application?
Student researchers should upload invitation letters from their host institutions before the deadline of December 1 if possible. University acceptance letters may be submitted after this deadline (as late as May).
The online application has asked me to do something different to the application instructions on the website. What should I do?
The online application system is used by Fulbright Programs around the world and application procedures differ greatly from country to country. You must follow the guidelines presented by the Fulbright Commission in Brussels.
Does the Fulbright Commission in Brussels require me to contact them before beginning the application?
We do NOT require applicants to contact us before beginning the application. You can start your online application without contacting us beforehand.
Does the Fulbright Commission in Brussels require supplemental forms?
We do NOT require supplemental forms such as the letter of the home institution or official exam results (e.g., TOEFL). However, it is optional to include these test results in the appropriate application fields.
Can I mail physical documents to the Fulbright Commission?
No. The application is completed entirely online.
When will I hear from the Fulbright Commission if I have been selected for an interview?
Applicants who are selected for an interview will be contacted via email in mid-January. Interviews will take place during the last week of January or in the first week of February.
When will I hear from the Fulbright Commission if I have been selected for a Fulbright Award?
Successful applicants will be contacted via email in late February or early March. Successful applicants must then be officially approved by the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board and should receive a confirmation of their grant in mid-March.
What happens if I am offered a Fulbright Award, but not a place at university?
If you are not accepted to a U.S. university, the offer of a Fulbright Award will be withdrawn. Graduate students are encouraged to apply to several universities to increase their chances of being admitted to a U.S. university.
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info[at]fulbright.be / +32 (0)2 519 57 72