education and cultural exchange programs

The American Embassy is seeking qualified applicants for the following exchange programs.  If you have questions, the American Center at 674, Avenue John F. Kennedy, Ouagadougou will host information sessions every Wednesday from 10:00 am to 11:00.

1. The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program (HHHFP)

This is a professional development program for citizens or permanent legal residents of Burkina Faso. It is for mid-level professionals in leadership positions in the public or private sector who would like to spend approximately 9 months during an academic year in the U.S. taking graduate-level courses at a U.S. University and engaging in non-academic professional development activities. This program is not an academic degree program. The goal is general professional development. Candidates must already have a university degree awarded after at least four years of full-time study, have at least five years of professional experience, have a commitment to public service, and be proficient in both written and spoken English. Interested persons can apply for this program in May and June of each year. Click here for more information.

2. The Fulbright Undergraduate Visiting Student Program

For second year students, this program is to develop professional capacity in the primary and secondary educational sectors, and to expose future teachers from disadvantaged backgrounds to American education and culture. The program recruits advanced undergraduate students who can begin intensive English language programs, if necessary, in February/March 2007.  Upon completion of English language training, grantees will be enrolled in the last two years of an undergraduate program leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree in education. Click here for more information.

3.  Fulbright Junior Staff Development Program

For scholars and professionals who would like to spend 1 or 2 years in the U.S. (starting in the Fall of 2007) pursuing a Masters or PH.D degree.  Candidates must have a high level of English -- sufficient to allow them to successfully pursue full-time graduate-level study in the U.S. (e.g., a TOEFL score of at least 550).  Although this program is designed primarily to strengthen African universities through higher degree training, persons working at public and private educational, cultural, and professional institutions are also eligible. Click here for more information.

4.  Fulbright Junior Staff Development Enhancement Program

This program is similar to the Fulbright Junior Staff Development Program discussed in item 2 except that candidates are not required to have the same high level of English proficiency when they apply.  In addition, the program only allows candidates to seek a Masters degree, and the program is for studies in the following fields:  economics, history, information sciences, political science, and public administration.  Selected candidates are sent to the U.S. for up to 8 months of intensive English language training (beginning as early as January 2007), and then start their 1-2 year Masters degree program in the fall of 2007.  Applicants must have a TOEFL score of at least 480. Click here for more information.

5. The Fulbright African Research Scholar Program (ARSP)

This is a professional development program for citizens of Burkina Faso who are either University faculty members or who work at independent research centers, museums, or other cultural institutions that have educational and research objectives. This program allows selected applicants to go to the U.S. to conduct research at U.S. academic or research institutions for three to nine months during the academic year. There is also a special program for persons who desire to do AIDS-related research or AIDS-related professional development in the U.S. The most competitive candidates already have doctoral degrees. A good command of English is required. Interested persons can apply for this program in May and June of each year. Click here for more information.

6. FULBRIGHT SENIOR SPECIALISTS PROGRAM

The Fulbright Senior Specialists Program is designed to provide short-term academic opportunities (two to six weeks) for U.S. faculty and professionals. Shorter grant lengths give specialists greater flexibility to pursue a grant that works best with their current academic or professional commitments. Applications for the Fulbright Senior Specialists Program are accepted on a rolling basis, and peer review of applications is conducted eight times per year. Program Goals are:
-To increase the participation of leading U.S. scholars and professionals in Fulbright academic exchanges
-To encourage new activities that goes beyond the traditional Fulbright activities of lecturing and research
-To promote increased connections between U.S. and non-U.S. post-secondary academic institutions

7. The Fulbright Summer American Studies Institutes.

These are intensive six-week seminars held in the U.S. each summer primarily for university faculty in other countries who teach about the U.S. in various fields of the humanities and social sciences in their home countries.  Only candidates who are fluent in written and spoken English can be considered.  The subjects of the Institutes are announced around mid-November and nominations are normally due in mid-March.  The subjects of the Institutes change every year, but the subjects are always from the humanities and social sciences (and not from the sciences).  Often one of the Institutes is for Foreign Secondary Educators and is intended for secondary school educators who are involved in program development and who have a responsibility for curriculum and management.  This can include secondary school teachers, teacher trainers, curriculum developers, education ministry officials, or textbook writers in the fields of English language, American literature, government, history, American studies, or other relevant subject areas that include significant content about the United States.  The Institutes occur at U.S. universities during the summer months (generally in June, July and August).  If you are interested in these programs contact Yolande Kaboré at the American Cultural Center in mid-November to learn the subjects of the Institutes and whether or not the Embassy is considering nominating candidates for one or more institutes.  The competition for attending these Institutes is very tough and there is clearly a preference for candidates who have not previously had an opportunity to participate in any educational or cultural exchange program in the U.S.

8. The Summer Institute for English Foreign Language (EFL) Administrators from Francophone and Lusophone Sub-Saharan Africa.

This is a professional development program for secondary school administrators of English language programs in Burkina Faso.  The program allows selected applicants to attend a six-week summer program in the U.S.  Interested persons can apply for this program in January of each year. 

9. The International Visitors Program (IVP) 

Each year the Embassy selects and sends about 10 Burkinabé to the U.S. for a three-week program that allows them to meet professional counterparts and to experience the U.S. first hand by traveling to several American cities.  Programs are conducted English and French.  It is not possible to apply for this program.  The Embassy selects the participants itself among established or potential leaders in government, politics, media, education, science, civil society, and other fields.  The purpose of the IVP is to increase mutual understanding between Burkina Faso and the U.S. by bringing people with similar interests and professions together to share experiences and ideas.

Please note that applicants for all the above scholarships must be Burkinabe citizens. Applications may be picked up at the American Center at 674, Avenue John F. Kennedy, Ouagadougou, at Koulouba. You can also pull out the application from the links below.

Download Application Form in PDF format  (for The Fulbright Undergraduate Visiting Student Program)

Download Application Form in PDF format (for Fulbright Junior Staff and Enhacement Development Program)