The Fulbright-RAF Scholar Award

The Fulbright-RAF (Romanian-American Foundation) Scholar Award in the field of Entrepreneurship & Entrepreneurial Studies offers Romanian academics from technical universities and faculties the opportunity to hold a semester-long fellowship in residence at the University of Rochester – AIN Center for Entrepreneurship, for study and independent research, curriculum development, classroom observation and participation in community-based entrepreneurial activities.

The success of the program entails visionary professors committed to learning and implementing best practices in entrepreneurship education, as well as university administrators committed to supporting new programs for their students.

As part of the program, administrators from selected universities will be invited to visit the U.S. during the residency semester to learn about the grantees’ experience and observe an active entrepreneurial ecosystem first hand.

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• hold Romanian citizenship; green card holders and persons with dual (Romanian and U.S.) citizenship are ineligible;
• hold a PhD degree and carry out regular teaching responsibilities;
• demonstrate interest and ability to fully participate in the educational experience and to implement entrepreneurship education upon return;
• show willingness to advance educational innovation through development of a national entrepreneurship education association;
• have the support* of their home university for achievement of high impact results for Romanian students;
• show a proficiency in English corresponding to the activities required by this type of program; a language proficiency test is not required.

DURATION: 4 months (one semester)

* Home university administrators should submit a university letter of support to confirm their support for scholar’s participation in the program and also for implementation of entrepreneurship education opportunities upon his/her return.

SELECTION STEPS

• applications are pre-screened for eligibility and completeness;
• applications are assessed by Romanian and U.S. specialists in the field;
• the applicants recommended by reviewers will be invited to an interview conducted in English by a bi-national panel;
• the nominated finalists are subject to final approval by the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.

The applications will be evaluated based on educational background and experience, current teaching duties, demonstrated interest to fully participate in the educational experience and to implement entrepreneurship education upon return, as well as on applicant’s willingness to advance educational innovation through development of a national entrepreneurship education association. Selection will be based on the combination of qualified professors with the support of their university for achievement of high impact results for Romanian students.