Public Affairs
Exchanges
1. INTERNATIONAL VISITOR LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
International Visitor Leadership Program
The International Visitor Leadership Program operates under authority of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (Fulbright-Hays Act). The emphasis of the program is to increase mutual understanding through communication at the personal and professional levels.
The International Visitor Leadership Program brings participants to the United States from all over the world each year to meet and confer with their professional counterparts and to experience the U.S. firsthand. The visitors, who are current or potential leaders in government, politics, the media, education, and other fields, are selected by American Officials overseas. More than 200 current and former Heads of State, 1,500 cabinet-level ministers, and many other distinguished world leaders in government and the private sector have participated in the International Visitor Leadership Program.
2. FULBRIGHT PROGRAM
Fulbright Program
The flagship international educational program sponsored by the United States Government, the Fulbright Program is designed to "increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries..." With this goal, the Fulbright Program has provided over 279,000 participants — chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential — with the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, to exchange ideas and to contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns.The Fulbright Program provides grants for Graduate Students, Scholars and Professionals, and Teachers and Administrators from the U.S. and other countries
A. THE FULBRIGHT AFRICAN RESEARCH SCHOLAR PROGRAM
Awards will be offered for African university faculty either to conduct postdoctoral research or undertake a planned program of reading and research during an academic year at US academic or research or research center. Programs involve dissertation research or general professional travel will not be accepted.
Criteria of Selection
Awards are open with regards to academic discipline, faculty rank, sex, and age. Preference will be given to those proposals that will be promote the spirit and goals of the Fulbright program: To increase and enhance mutual understanding between the United States and African countries through interpersonal/academic experience and expertise among the widest possible audience. Preference will also be given to individuals who have a least three years of university teaching experience and who have not visited the United States for any appreciable period within the past five years. A good command of the English is essential. Applicants must be citizens of the country from which they are applying.
Applications must be submitted on an official application form available from the Embassy of the United States of American in the Scholar’s country of Residence.
a) Postdoctoral Research (Three to nine months duration)
Applicant should have a productive scholarly record and a project statement directly related to their ongoing teaching and/or research responsibilities.
b) Professional Development (three to five months duration)
Undertake a planned program of reading and research of benefit to both the scholar and home institution. Proposals should be linked to professional duties (teaching, advising, and administration) and should demonstrate how the scholar would use the knowledge gained to update and improve classroom instruction by developing new courses or programs for the home institution.
In addition, special grants are available under both of these programs for HIV/AIDS and Aids-Related Research. The length of all ARSP grants is determined by the need demonstrated by the applicant in his or her proposal.
c) SPECIAL HIV/AIDS AND AIDS-RELATED RESEARCH GRANT
Persons can apply for these grants in under either the Senior Research Scholar or Professional Development Scholar programs. Proposals must be for research and/or professional development with an HIV/AIDS focus. Grants are available in a wide variety of disciplines, including the following: Sociology and social work; anthropology; education; economics; law; public administration; communications; art; theater; medical sciences; biological sciences; and psychology.
B. THE FULBRIGHT JUNIOR STAFF DEVELOPMENT (JSD) PROGRAM
The Fulbright Junior Staff Development (JSD) program is the largest Fulbright program with Africa and provides financial assistance for a maximum of two years of study toward a graduate degree in a U.S. university or for participation in a non degree research or non academic professional program. It is designed primarily to strengthen African universities through higher degree training for faculty members. Applications are also accepted from prospective candidates in public and private educational and cultural institutions.
SELECTION CRITERIA
A. Nominees must be highly qualified academically ad eligible for the traditional JSD, minimum required English language skills for selection in the JSD program is 550. We strongly recommend also that candidates take the GRE test.
B. Nominees should have outstanding academic records, references and preparation in their chosen fields.
C. Early TOEFL and GRE tests taking are necessary in order to have scores available in timely manner.
D. We also recommend that in order to prepare for the official TOEFL, candidates us practice TOEFL tests which are available online.
C. HUBERT H HUMPHREY FELLOWSHIPS
Fellowships provide support for one academic year preceded, if appropriate, by English language training. The program includes coursework combined with professional enrichment activities tailored to each Fellow's interests. The Humphrey Fellowship is a non-degree program.
Fellows are grouped at U.S. host institutions that have been selected through a competitive process. Humphrey coordinators and advisers provide academic and administrative support to each Fellow on individualized program design and implementation. Fellows attend a seminar in Washington, D.C. to engage in discussions with leaders from the U.S. government, multinational organizations, and the private sector. Throughout the year, Fellows pursue a variety of professional activities, including site visits and workshops.
RECRUITMENT OF ELIGIBLE CANDIDATE
Candidate should be mid-career professional in leadership positions and who have a commitment to public and the potential for professional advancement.
He should have a minimum of five years of professional experience
Candidate must have completed a university degree program at least four years of full time study.
Candidates should be proficient in both written and spoken English with a minimum test of English language (TOEFL) score of 525.
HOW TO APPLY?
Interested candidates can pick up application materials picked up at the American Embassy, avenue Colonel Lukusa, en Face de Station Shell, commune de la Gombe, From December 15, 2008 to March 15, 2009: Monday through Thursday from 7:30 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 17:00 and Friday from 7:30 to 12:30. Application forms must be completed on line and returned additional supplemental information to the American Embassy.
- In Mid-June 2009, 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.
-If you are not a citizen of Democratic Republic of Congo, you cannot apply for this program through the U.S. Embassy or the American Cultural Center in Kinshasa. 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.