Educational Exchange Programs

The Fulbright Junior Staff Development Program

INFORMATION SHEET

Prepared by: American Cultural Center Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Last Revised: December 19, 2006

What is this program?

This is a program for graduating 4th year university students, scholars and professionals to spend up to two years in a study program, research program, or professional development program in the United States. This program is designed primarily to strengthen African universities through higher degree training for faculty members. A secondary purpose is to strengthen other educational institutions and cultural and professional institutions (such as museums, libraries, independent research institutes, and ministries of education, planning, or science and technology). Awards are available for the following types of programs: (1) up to two years in a study program at a university in the U.S. for a Masters (MA) degree or a doctorate (PH.D) degree; (2) up to one year of independent research at a U.S. university under the guidance of an American professor; or (3) up to one year of professional development in the U.S. in professional fields (such as medicine or law) or creative fields (such as fine arts, the performing arts, music, and literature). Funding is provided by the government of the United States of America through the U.S. Department of State and varies depending on the program.

What kinds of people are eligible to apply?

Any person who is currently affiliated with and who is committed to continue working either at an academic institution of higher education, or at a public or private educational, cultural, or professional institution in their home country upon completion of their program.

What are the minimum requirements?

Only persons who meet the following minimum requirements can apply through the American Cultural Center in Ouagadougou:

• Citizens or permanent residents of Burkina Faso who are qualified to hold a valid passport issued by Burkina Faso;
• Persons who have or will have by the end of 2007 a university degree awarded after at least four years of full-time study that is sufficient to qualify the person to be admitted to a graduate study program at a university in the U.S.;
• Persons who have the endorsement of their home institution; and
• Persons who are fluent in both written and spoken English.

Who are the most competitive applicants?

Anyone meeting the minimum requirements may apply. However, people who have the following characteristics are the most competitive applicants and therefore the ones most likely to be selected:

• 4th year students who recently graduated from or who will graduate before the end of 2007 from an institution of higher education in Burkina Faso;
• Persons who wish to pursue a Masters (MA) degree or a PH.D degree in order to return to Burkina Faso to teach at an educational, cultural, or professional institution;
• Persons who have outstanding academic records, references, and academic preparation in their fields;
• For candidates for professional development (including artists, musicians, and authors), persons who have extraordinary skills and talent; and
• Persons who have not previously studied in the U.S.

Applications from women and graduating 4th year students are encouraged.

What kinds of people are not eligible?

The following are examples of persons who are not eligible for this program:

• Persons who have already received a bachelor's or master's degree in the U.S.;
• Persons who have participated in a Fulbright program within the past three years;
• Persons who cannot score at least 550 on The Test of English Language Proficiency (TELP);
• Persons who cannot score at least 1000 on the combined verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE test (for study programs other than business and law); and
• Persons who cannot score at least 550 on the GMAT test (for study programs in business).

If I am eligible and meet the minimum requirements, how do I apply?

• Applications may be picked up at the American Center at 674, Avenue John F. Kennedy, at Koulouba, Ouagadougou, From December 18, 2006 to February 16, 2007: Monday through Thursday from 7:30 to 12:00 and 12:45 to 17:00 and Friday from 7:30 to 12:30

• Application forms must be completed and returned to the American Embassy before 5:00 p.m. on February 19, 2007.

How does the competition work?

• In early March, candidates selected by the American Cultural Center will be interviewed.  After the interviews those candidates selected to continue in the competition will be required to take the Test of English Language Proficiency (the TELP test) in Ouagadougou in March. The American Cultural Center will select the finalists and they must register for TOEFL That will be taken in Ouagadougou in May, and GRE in October.  Finalists will be required to complete additional application materials, which must be returned to the American Cultural Center before 5:00 p.m. on September 10, 2007.

• Finalists from Burkina Faso then compete against applicants from other countries, and the winners will be announced in early 2008.

What if I am not a citizen or permanent resident of Burkina Faso?

If you are not a citizen or permanent resident of Burkina Faso you cannot apply for this program through the U.S. Embassy or the American Cultural Center in Ouagadougou. You should contact the Public Affairs Section in the U.S. Embassy in your home country to find out whether your country participates in this program, and, if so, how to apply.

When will I go to the United States if I am selected?

The current competition is for programs starting in the Fall of 2008.

If I am selected can my spouse or children come with me to the U.S.?

Probably not. The cost of living is very high in the U.S. and there is generally inadequate funding to support anyone other than the person awarded the grant.

How do I get more information?

Additional information is available on the following internet web sites:

• http://exchanges.state.gov/education/fulbright
• http://www.iie.org/

The American Center at 674, Avenue John F. Kennedy, Ouagadougou will host information sessions every Wednesday from 10:00 am to 11:00, from December 22, 2006 to February 14, 2007.