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Home Grants for Romanian Citizens The Fulbright Student Program

Note

The 2024-2025 competition is now open! Please read the official announcement at: https://fulbright.ro/competition/2024-2025-fulbright-student-award/

The Fulbright Student Program

The Fulbright Student Program for Romanian citizens provides awards for the first year of a master’s program or for one academic year of research in the United States. Second-year costs for the Romanian Fulbright master’s students may be covered depending on funds availability as well as on proof of good academic standing during the first year of study.

Applicants can be Romanian graduates – BA graduates / MA students or graduates / PhD students – from accredited public and private universities. BA students are also invited to apply if they are in their final year of undergraduate study.

The candidates will be selected through open, merit-based competition to participate in graduate level programs in any field except clinical medicine.

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • have Romanian citizenship; green card holders and persons with dual (Romanian and U.S.) citizenship are ineligible;
  • hold at least a Bachelor’s degree (BA students may apply if they are in their final year of undergraduate study);
  • have English proficiency;
  • if applying in law, candidates must hold a degree in that field.
Applicants are also expected to:
  • be representative and responsible citizens, with a demonstrable potential to contribute to the mutual understanding of culture and values in Romania and the U.S;
  • share the acquired professional experience or disseminate results of the research upon return, contributing to their specific area of knowledge;
  • show motivation and flexibility necessary to adapt effectively to life in the United States;
Note

The preference for candidates without extensive previous experience in the U.S. applies at each stage of competition. Romanian candidates studying or researching in the U.S. at the time of application are ineligible for a Fulbright grant.

THE ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES

Selection Steps:

  • applications are pre-screened;
  • the assessment of study/research projects is performed by Fulbright alumni and leading Romanian and U.S. scholars in the respective fields of knowledge;
  • the applicants recommended by reviewers will be invited to an interview carried out by a bi-national panel, in the first half of September;
  • the nominated finalists are subject to final approval by the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FSB).

The assessment of the Fulbright applications is organized in two stages, aimed at encompassing two different aspects. These distinct approaches contribute to defining a comprehensive image of the applicant’s performance during the entire competition, in accordance with the aim and mission of the Fulbright program and the expected results after return.

First Phase: The Screening Process

Each submitted application will be reviewed by one American and one Romanian specialist in the specific field of study addressed by the proposal. This is an evaluation of the professional level of the applicant’s proposal, based on a series of criteria such as: clarity of ideas, academic credentials, feasibility and consistency of the proposal, evidence that residence in the U.S. is necessary for the applicant, commitment to Fulbright values etc.

Specialists can be American and Romanian, but must fulfill the following criteria:

  • Have at least a Ph.D. in the same field or academic area as the person screened;
  • Be in leading positions in their departments or fields;
  • Be members of highly regarded academic institutions (e.g. Romanian Academy);
  • Have a sound ability to read and speak English;
  • Be available and willing to participate in the process;
  • Keep confidential our collaboration.

Frequently screening specialists:

  • have U.S. academic experience;
  • are Fulbright alumni;
  • are recommended by Fulbright professors whose judgment we trust.
Second Phase: The Interview

The applicants who passed the assessment phase will be invited to the interview and evaluated by a nomination committee composed of specialists in various fields of knowledge. The committee evaluates candidates according to motivation and adaptability, impact and benefit for home country, in addition to the criteria used for the screening process. The candidates’ presence at the interview is an absolute requirement of the program.

After the interview, the list of the Romanian nominees and their proposals will be forwarded to the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board for the final approval.

AWARD BENEFITS
International travel
Tuition and university fees within established budget limits
Monthly stipend for accommodation and living expenses
Books and supplies allowance
Accident/sickness coverage
J-1 visa sponsorship and administration
DURATION
  • One academic year beginning in August or September. Candidates appointed to certain types of Fulbright grants may be required to arrive during the summer for an introductory course or intensive English program prior to the academic year.
  • Second-year costs for the Romanian Fulbright degree-seeking (master’s) students may be covered depending on funds availability as well as on proof of good academic standing during the first year of study.
ADMISSION AND AFFILIATION TO U.S. UNIVERSITIES

The Institute of International Education (IIE) will team up with the Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission in order to carry out the Romanian finalists’ admission and affiliation process to accredited U.S. universities.

The duration of the entire selection process is approximately 12 months; as a result, the Fulbright Student competition is advertised a year before the grant starts. Affiliation of the Fulbright Student Program finalists will be concluded in May-July. Exchanges will begin in August – September, the year following the application.

PROFILE OF STUDENT RESEARCHERS

Researchers applying for a Fulbright Student Award are strongly encouraged to read the information HERE.

Questions? Contact us at:
Email office@fulbright.ro
Phone 021 230 77 19
Facebook Fulbright Romania
Instagram FulbrightRomania
Fulbrighter Global Network

TIMELINE

February

Competition opens

March – April

Presentations & webinars

Early May

Application deadline

May – August

Assessment phase

Late August – early September

Short-listed candidates are invited to the interview

Mid-September

Interviews

October

Notifications; finalist applications are sent to IIE in New York

November-May

Admission and placement of candidates carried out by IIE and the Fulbright Commission

May-August

Fulbright Terms of Appointment are signed; J1 visa paperwork

Early July

Pre-Departure Orientation

July – September

Fulbright exchanges begin

FAQ FULBRIGHT STUDENT

What does the Fulbright Student Award include?

The Fulbright Student award covers tuition/affiliation fees as well as a monthly stipend for accommodation and living expenses. The grant also includes accident/sickness coverage and covers international travel costs to and from the U.S. (roundtrip ticket).

In addition, the Fulbright Commission offers all the grantees one day Orientation Program as pre-departure assistance, in July. While in the U.S., the Fulbright grantees receive further support from the Institute of International Education (IIE).

How many Fulbright awards are granted to Romanian graduate students?

Approximately 10 Fulbright Student awards, depending on the annual budget of the Commission. This means that the number of awards is not fixed and can vary depending on the available resources and tuition fees inflation.

What is the maximum funding one can be awarded?

The maximum funding which can be offered to one Student Award grantee is up to $40,000 for one academic year (9 months). The amount depends on the individual financial academic status of the student and the Fulbright committee’s recommendation. The grantees can contribute to covering expenses.

If the study program lasts more than one year, can the Fulbright recipient renew the Fulbright grant for the following year?

The Fulbright grant is designed for the first academic year. Second-year costs for the Romanian Fulbright degree-seeking (master’s) students may be covered depending on funds availability as well as on proof of good academic standing during the first year of study.

Can the award be postponed until the following year?

No. Fulbright Awards are not deferrable. Candidates are recommended to reapply in this case.

Is Romanian citizenship a condition for eligibility in the grant program?

Yes. Only Romanian citizens can apply to the program administered by the Fulbright Commission in Romania. Green card holders are not eligible.

I hold dual citizenship-Romanian and American. Am I eligible to apply for a Fulbright grant in Romania?

No. But you may apply for a Fulbright grant as an American citizen.

Are Fulbright awards granted for study in a third country?

No. Fulbright grants to Romanian citizens are awarded only for studies in the United States of America.

Do I have to be admitted by a U.S. university before I apply for a Fulbright Student Award?

No. Being admitted by an American university is not a prerequisite for the Romanian applicants to Fulbright Student Award. However the candidates are encouraged to mention their university options in the application form. After the Fulbright selection process is concluded, the Institute of International Education in New Your (IIE) will team up with the Fulbright Commission for the admission and affiliation of the Romanian finalists to accredited U.S. universities. IIE will communicate with the U.S. universities on behalf of the Romanian finalists. The U.S. universities are established for each nominated finalist on the basis of a submission plan proposed by IIE and agreed by the finalist. Finalist’s initial preferences will be considered as well, depending on the program suitability and financial flexibility of the university proposed by the candidate.

What happens if I am nominated for an award, but, finally, I am not admitted by any university included in my submission plan?

If you do not receive admission from any U.S. university, the offer of a Fulbright Student Award will be withdrawn.

Is a person currently studying or researching in the U.S. eligible for a Fulbright grant? If this person has already been admitted for a study/research program, can he/she apply for the Fulbright grant to finance the second year of study in the U.S.?

No. Romanian candidates studying or doing research in the U.S. at the time of application are not eligible for a Fulbright grant.

Can the letters of recommendation still be considered if they are provided after the application deadline?

The letters of recommendation will be considered only if they are sent by the deadline.

Can a recipient pursue a medical degree with a Fulbright award?

Applicants who wish to pursue studies as medical students are not eligible. Applicants with medical degrees may receive grants for research or advanced academic study, but not for internships or residencies.

What is the ideal profile of the visiting student researcher?

Please check: link

I have already received a doctoral degree. Which category do I apply in?

If an applicant has or will receive a PhD prior to his/her Fulbright year in the U.S., he/she is strongly recommended to apply in the Visiting Scholar category. Please check the timeline along with the information referring to the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program.

Under which visa category do grantees participate in the Fulbright program?

All non-U.S. Fulbright grantees are required to travel on “J” visas under Exchange-Visitor Program (Number G-1-00001) for the duration of their financial sponsorship. As a condition of the “J” visa, after completion of the academic program, students must return to Romania and live in the home country for two years before being eligible to immigrate, apply for permanent residence or for a work permit in the United States.

I have studied previously in the United States. Am I eligible to apply for a Fulbright grant?

Yes. Applicants who have had previous U.S. study experience may receive awards, but preference is given to applicants without such experience.

The online application system directed me to ask for permission from the Fulbright Commission before I proceed. What should I do?

As a rule, this message is intended to ensure that you meet the minimum eligibility requirements.  If you follow the online instructions for Romanian Fulbright Student applicants and the information included in the official competition announcement published annually on our website, you do not need to contact the Commission; you may continue with your application.

After nomination for a Fulbright grant are Romanian nominees allowed to contact the U.S. universities and communicate on the admission process, financial matters, funding, and visa issues with U.S. university representatives?

Along the admission and affiliation process, the Romanian finalists are strongly advised to avoid communication on topics such as admission process, financial matters, funding, and visa issues with the U.S. university representatives. The admission and affiliation process to the U.S. universities is managed by the Institute of International Education in New York in collaboration with the Fulbright Commission and all these matters will be agreed with the U.S. universities by these two organizations. Personal communication with U.S. universities would jeopardize admission and affiliation, leading to cancellation of the grant.

Am I eligible to apply for the Fulbright Student Award if I have not graduated from university yet?

Yes, students in their final year of undergraduate study are also allowed to apply, provided they receive the graduation diploma by September (the year of application) and can demonstrate this with relevant documents such as complete transcripts and diploma/certificate of graduation.

Who evaluates the Fulbright application?

For the peer screening, the applications are reviewed by two specialists in their respective field (as a rule, an American and a Romanian specialist). The peer evaluation of the professional level of the applicant’s proposal is based on the following criteria: importance of the proposed topic to the home country and to the field, clarity and value of the required essays, feasibility of the proposal, academic credentials, evidence that research in the U.S. is necessary to fulfill the proposed goals and plans to implement the acquired professional experience or disseminate research findings in Romania after conclusion of the grant.

For the interview phase, a nomination committee composed of American and Romanian members will evaluate the candidates focusing on specific aspects such as motivation, adaptability, project impact and benefit for the home country. As a rule, the interview committee members are senior academics and accomplished professionals, U.S. Embassy representatives, and Fulbright alumni.

What the reviewers expect to see in the letters of recommendation?

The letters of recommendation should provide accurate, relevant information and add to the activities and accomplishments in the resume or to the ideas emphasized in the applicant’s essays. The three letters requested to Fulbright applicants will include: applicant’s full name, field of study and country of application as well as recommender’s contacts, full name, title and signature along with a brief description of recommender’s qualifications. The reference should also include: recommender’s insight of the applicant’s skills and academic performance (at individual and group level), along with specific examples of strengths and qualifications; an evaluation of the applicant’s commitment to the field and ability to handle the major concepts and themes of the program; comments on the applicant’s character, emotional maturity, responsibility and exercise of leadership, sense of fair-play; comments on the achievability of the proposed study/research objectives; reasons why the applicant deserves the Fulbright grant and why his/her presence in the U.S. is necessary. The reviewers expect to find evidence that the applicant has attained high academic level and excellence in his/her field of knowledge.

When and how to approach the recommenders?

Approach recommenders a few months ahead of the application deadline so that they have enough time to write the letter. Provide them with an updated version of your resume or CV, the profile of the institution/department you intend to apply, as well as other useful documents such as transcripts. We also suggest that recommenders read the applicant’s statement of purpose. The references should come from university professors and/or other acknowledged Romanian or foreign professionals, usually from academics who know/have known you well in class and from people who know you well outside class (professional environment as well as extracurricular activities or volunteering). Stay in touch with your recommenders throughout the process and make sure you provide whatever information they need.

Can a Fulbright Student grantee be accompanied by family during the Fulbright program he/she is carrying out?

Yes. Student Fulbrighters can be accompanied by family members. However, the Fulbrighter must provide evidence, such as personal declaration and bank statement, to demonstrate that dependents can sustain themselves, regardless of Fulbright grant that serves only for grantee’s study purposes. Grantees accompanied by dependents must provide adequate health and accident insurance for the accompanying family. Failure to do so violates the terms and conditions of award and may result in termination of the grantee’s program.

In case I am not selected, may I receive any feedback and find out the reasons?

Unfortunately, no. Each year the number of well-qualified applicants exceeds the number of grants available. It is the policy of the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board not to give to individual applicants, to others inquiring on their behalf, or to the public generally, the specific reasons for selection or non-selection of applicants for awards.

In case I am not selected, will I be notified by the representatives of the Fulbright Commission?

Yes, all the applicants are notified.

See More FAQs

"The idea of experiencing one of the best education systems in the world (if not the best) could be quite overwhelming. But soon I realized that this is going to be a unique opportunity to learn as much as possible, to work like never before in my academic life. And I did just that."

Ciprian Crețu

Fulbright Student Researcher, 2019-2020

Read more

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