Fulbright Irish Awards competition launched

Posted on: 02 September 2016

The 2017-18 Fulbright Irish Awards competition is now open for application. These globally-recognised Awards support Irish and EU citizens to undertake postgraduate study, research or teaching in the USA for a 3 to 12 month period.

This year the Fulbright Commission partners with the Health Research Board to launch the Fulbright-HRB HealthImpact Awards, which will support Health Professionals to conduct short-term study or research in the USA for a 3 to 6 month period.

While the General Student and Scholar Awards are open to all disciplines, there are a number of additional sponsored Awards on offer in the fields of Geoscience, Marine Studies, Agriculture, Environmental Protection, Business Innovation and Law. The Foreign Language Teaching Assistantship (FLTA) Awards offer opportunities for Irish speakers to teach the Irish language and take courses at several US Institutions. The Fulbright TechImpact Awards support flexible short-term, non-commercial projects and research, exploring how technology contributes to a larger social value.

Fulbright Ireland Director, Dr Dara FitzGerald, and Director of Research Strategy and Funding Directorate at the Health Research Board, Dr Mairead O'Driscoll

Fulbright Awards, operating between the US and 155 countries, provide a monetary grant, accident and emergency insurance, visa administration, cultural and professional programming, and ongoing support. Candidates from all disciplines are welcome to apply.

The US Ambassador to Ireland Mr Kevin O’Malley said “This year marks the 70th Anniversary of the global Fulbright Program. Through educational and cultural exchange, this program brings a little more knowledge and a little more compassion into world affairs. I strongly encourage students, researchers and professionals to apply and become part of an esteemed network that advances international understanding and strengthens the US-Irish relationship.”

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Mr Charlie Flanagan T.D. said “The Fulbright Awards continue to play a central role in promoting and deepening educational links between Ireland and the US. These awards allow students and researchers to develop their talents and expertise in a range of exciting areas, and further enrich the relationship between Ireland and the US. The Irish Government is proud to support the Fulbright Awards, especially in this the programme’s 70th anniversary year.”

Fulbright Commission Executive Director Dr Dara FitzGerald said “Fulbright Awards have had, and will continue to have, a significant impact on Awardees careers, they serve to open US opportunities and indeed advance Irish research. These Awards not only provide funding, they also offer a priceless support structure and introduce candidates to a vast international network. The Irish-US relationship is one we should embrace and promote, what better way in these turbulent times than through education and knowledge sharing.”

For further details and eligibility criteria please visit www.fulbright.ie. The application deadline is 4pm on 28 October 2016.

Media Contact:

Lorna O‘Driscoll, Former Communications Executive | publicaffairs@tcd.ie | +353 1 896 4168