Call for applications: Fulbright South African Research Scholar Programme

The programme is an opportunity for South African university faculty or research institute professionals to conduct research in their field of expertise at a US academic or research institution for a period of three to nine months. The research grant enables the scholar to perform high-level research at a US educational institution, aimed at strengthening academic programmes or curricula at his/her home institution. Applicants need to have a proven track record of productive scholarly research and publications.

The Fulbright-Emory Distinguished Chair Scholar Award at Emory University is for innovative, dynamic academic staff from South Africa in any field or discipline who will conduct research, teach and engage with Emory’s academic community. Priority will be given to the selection of scholars whose activities are related to graduate programmes in South Africa with the objective of increasing the impact of their scholarship in South Africa as a result of their experiences in the US.

Eligible candidates must have at least seven years of experience as a teacher/scholar since earning their Ph.D. and hold a full-time faculty appointment at a South African university.

Funded by Emory’s Halle Institute for Global Research, chairholders spend up to four months at Emory University in Atlanta, hosted by appropriate departments and programmes. In addition to research and teaching, chairholders give lectures and engage with faculty and students across the university. Applications will be evaluated by the Halle Institute for Global Research multi-disciplinary, multi-school, faculty selection committee.

Strong applications will be jargon-free and specifically demonstrate how a semester at Emory University will support disciplinary, interdisciplinary and/or multi-disciplinary research and teaching. Candidates should discuss how they will share their research and teaching with faculty and students across Emory University and at their home institution. The research plan should address how the applicant will take advantage of resources at Emory and its location in Atlanta.

Eligibility requirements

• Be a South African citizen or a permanent resident with a minimum of five years of permanent residency status in South Africa (Note: South African nationals with dual SA/US citizenship are not eligible for the programme).
• SARSP is open to scholars in all disciplines and without regard to gender or age. However, proposals for clinical medical research involving patient contact cannot be approved under the Fulbright programme.
• Applications for doctoral dissertation research, postdoctoral research immediately following completion of a doctorate degree, or general professional travel, are ineligible.
• Preference will be given to candidates who have not previously received a Fulbright scholar grant.
• Preference will be given to candidates who have had no experience or only limited experience in the US.
• Applicants must have sufficient proficiency in English to carry out their projects and collaborate effectively with colleagues. TOEFL exams are not required. However, the US Embassy reserves the right to administer an English language test, if necessary, to evaluate applicants’ language skills.
• Applicants must be in good health. Successful candidates will be asked to submit a medical history and examination report.
• Scholars who were unsuccessful in previous competitions may reapply. Repeat applicants should revise their proposals, update curriculum vitae and obtain current letters of reference/invitation.

How to apply

• The application should be filled out and submitted through an online application system. All required supporting documents need to be submitted through the online application system as well.
• Applicants should include a well-written research proposal with well explained methodology that can be understood by a general reviewing committee.
• Applicants should include three confidential letters of reference. These letters must be uploaded by the applicant’s referees through the online application system. Guidelines on how to register the referees are included in the country information section of the application. Reference letters sent via email or post will not be accepted.
• A letter of invitation from a US host institution is strongly encouraged but not required.
• Applicants are discouraged from requesting affiliation with an alma mater. The Fulbright programme will honour institutional affiliation preferences as far as possible. Applicants unfamiliar with US institutions may request that the Fulbright programme identifies a suitable host institution.
• Applicants should note that laboratory fees are not part of the standard benefits package for the Fulbright SARSP and are awarded on a limited, case-by-case basis and only if funding is available.

Research grant coverage

• Monthly stipend based on the cost of living at the research site.
• Monthly dependent allowance for accompanying dependents.
• Round trip airfare for the grantee.
• Round trip airfare for one dependent accompanying the grantee for a minimum period of 80% on an eight- to nine-month grant.
• Excess baggage allowance for return travel.
• Professional allowance for books, conferences and seminars.
• Settling-in allowance.
• Primary medical insurance coverage for the grantee.

Applicants can apply here before 1 May.

View the original call here.