Fulbright US–ASEAN Visiting Scholar Initiative Program

The Fulbright US-ASEAN Visiting Scholar Program provides opportunities for nationals of the ten ASEAN countries (Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) to travel to the United States for three to four months during the first half of 2023, where they will carry out scholarly and professional research on priority issues to the U.S.–ASEAN relationship and ASEAN.  Projects should be selected that are regional in scope and/or have clear implications for the entire ASEAN region.  Please note the criteria for U.S.–ASEAN awards – research on priority issues for the U.S.–ASEAN relationship and ASEAN, with clear regional implications – differ substantially from those for bilateral awards.  The program is open to university faculty, foreign ministry or other government officials, and professional staff of the private sector, think tanks, and other NGOs in the ASEAN Member States.

The United States is committed to sustained engagement across Asia as a strategic priority, including working closely with multilateral institutions such as ASEAN.  The objective of the Fulbright U.S.–ASEAN Visiting Scholar Initiative, which was started in 2012 is to deepen people-to-people engagement and strengthen the ties with the ten member nations of ASEAN, while specifically emphasizing the importance of ASEAN. This program is complemented by two additional initiatives; the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) and, in the last year, the Billion Futures Initiative.  Since the program began in 2012, more than 100 scholars from all 10 ASEAN Member States have been awarded scholarships to pursue studies focused on a wide range of subjects including public health/pandemic response, jurisdictional issues in the South China Sea, engagement across the Indo-Pacific region, ASEAN economic integration, human trafficking, and food safety.

Applications are accepted from citizens of all ASEAN member states. It is anticipated that a minimum of 11 qualified applicants will be selected by a U.S. – ASEAN selection committee.  It is possible that additional candidates will be selected to participate in the program, pending the availability of funds.

General Requirements

Applicants from Indonesia should be:

• Indonesian citizen and resident in Indonesia throughout the nomination and selection process
• Willing to return to Indonesia upon completion of their program in the United States
• University lecturers, foreign ministry and government officials, or professionals in think tanks and other NGOs whose work focuses on US-ASEAN issues
• Have a significant record of scholarly or professional accomplishment
• Be proficient in English
• In good health, to be certified by submission of medical history and pre-departure medical examination

Preference will be given to qualified applicants who have not had recent and substantial experience in the United States.

Applicants are ineligible who:

• Are currently teaching, studying, or conducting research in the U.S.
• Have received a Fulbright grant within the past five years
• Have received a J-1 visa in the category of Professor/Research Scholar within the past two years

Research Fields

Applicants may apply to conduct research that supports broad ASEAN initiatives, such as support for regional economic integration, expansion of maritime cooperation, promotion of opportunities for women, and addressing transnational challenges.  Fields of study could include but are not limited to: Education, Financial Market Integration, Food Technology, Information Sciences, Journalism, Law, Public Administration, Public/Global Health, and Trade and Investment.  These programs and topics should reflect priority areas of the ASEAN Secretariat and the U.S. Mission to ASEAN and may also reflect priorities and relevance to the nominating country.  Projects that are regional in scope and/or have clear implications for the entire ASEAN region are to be prioritized.

Application

Proposals should be carefully developed projects that will deepen the applicant’s understanding of one or more aspects of the U.S.–ASEAN relationship.  While it is expected that the majority of time will be spent in research, grantees are also encouraged to expand and develop their network of professional contacts so that professional relationships established during the grantee’s time in the United States can be sustained after the formal grant period has ended.  In addition, grantees will be expected to seek opportunities to provide an ASEAN perspective during their time in the United States through guest lectures, seminars, or participation in academic or professional conferences.

Selection Process

Application for this program will be evaluated by a binational peer review panel in accordance with normal Fulbright standards that are competitive, merit-based, open, and transparent. The staff of the U.S. Mission to ASEAN in Jakarta and Indonesian scholars and experts will be involved in interviews of shortlisted candidates. The final selections will be made by the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board in Washington.

Affiliation

All applicants are urged to establish a likely affiliation with a U.S. institution, including universities, think tanks, and research institutes, in advance of submitting their formal applications.  Letters of invitation will enable program organizers to finalize suitable affiliations. Note: All of the selected Fulbright U.S.–ASEAN Visiting Scholars are to come to the United States during the first half of 2023, preferably in the January to May timeframe.  Please understand that program timing may be subject to change due to travel restrictions or other considerations.

Grant Period

The minimum period for an award is three months, and the maximum period is four months.

Grant Benefits

The grant will provide:

• A monthly stipend for grantees, between U.S. $2,710 and $3,145/month, depending on the U.S. city.
• A direct-flight, round-trip economy-class air ticket.
• A $1,250 Professional and Settling-in allowance.
• Qualifying university lab and research fees up to $3,000, as necessary.

No dependent support will be available.

Note:  Pending the availability of funds, all Fulbright U.S.–ASEAN Visiting Scholars shall convene in Washington, DC at some point during the first half of 2023, at a time to be determined.

How to Apply

The candidate should access and complete the online application.

Please select “US-ASEAN Fulbright Initiative” in the award information in the country information page of the online application and indicate clearly “US-ASEAN Fulbright Initiative” as part of your project or research title.

The following materials comprise a complete application:

• Application
• Project statement* (three to five pages)
• Bibliography* (up to three pages)
• Curriculum vitae* (up to six pages)
• Letter of invitation* (strongly preferred, but not required)
• Letters of recommendation* (three are required)
• Copy of academic transcript and diploma* (in original language and English translation)
• Copy of valid identity document* (KTP or passport)

*Please upload these documents through your online application

Deadline

The deadline for the submission of application materials for the program is extended to November 12, 2021.

*The exact deadlines every year may be subject to change and if the application deadline falls on a weekend or a public holiday, it is automatically extended to the next business day. Only shortlisted applicants will be notified and interviewed.

Contact Information

Specific questions regarding the application process are accepted via email at infofulbright_ind@aminef.or.id

Last Updated: Oct 28, 2021 @ 5:25 pm