UAB to offer information session on Fulbright grants

On Thursday 3 December at 12 noon, the auditorium of the Faculty of Philosophy and Arts will host an information session on the Fulbright Grants, given by representatives of the programme. These are grants that go to university graduates seeking to enrol in a postgraduate course in US universities.

23/11/2015

Fulbright grants are awarded to university graduates seeking to enrol in a two-year postgraduate course in the United States. They include enrolment fees, travel expenses, books and materials, living expenses, health and accident insurance and a substantial range of services for the person receiving the grant.

The Commission on Cultural, Educational and Scientific Exchange between Spain and the United States of America offers Fulbright grants to university graduates interested in taking a master's degree, PhD programme or, exceptionally, a pre-doctoral research project in an American university.

The duration of the grant is 12 months, renewable for a maximum of 12 more months. Applications can be sent in as from January 2016.

The presentation session will be led by Guy Vanover, head of the grants programme for Spain, and Karen Madden, the academic advisor. There will be time for questions at the end. More information on the grants can be found at the Fulbright Program website:

http://fulbright.es/ver/becas-para-espanoles

Over 300,000 grants awarded

In 2015, 22 UAB students applied for a Fulbright grant, and four of these were selected to go to the USA in 2016. In 2014, there were 7 applications, 1 of which was successful. The UAB was the fourth university in Spain in terms of the number of applicants, but second in the number of grants awarded. Of the 32 Fulbright grant-holders who will be leaving Spain for the USA, 12.5% are from the UAB, a figure only exceeded by the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (five grants awarded from 36 applications).

Since it began in 1946, the Fulbright Program has awarded more than 300,000 grants to people from over 150 countries. Created by Senator James William Fulbright with the objective of improving and strengthening ties and mutual understanding between US citizens and participants from other parts of the world, the programme is directed by the US Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is supported by bilateral committees and foundations from 50 countries and by around a hundred American embassies.

Funding for the programme comes mainly from the US Congress, though it also receives support from other public and private entities in the US and from the participating countries. In 2014, it was awarded the Prince of Asturias Award for International Cooperation.