As part of the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program, the Fulbright and University of Missouri Journalism Award funds a mid-career professional journalist from Belgium or Luxembourg to audit two classes at the Missouri Journalism School and to participate in guest lectures and roundtable discussions with students and scholars between mid-August and mid-December (4 months). Grantees are allowed to choose seminars and courses to audit from a list of available courses offered during the semester. Their interest areas and availability of spaces will determine final placement.
BENEFITS
Scholarship of up to $3000 per month
J-1 visa sponsorship
Pre-departure orientation in Brussels
Travel stipend of $1000
Sickness and accident benefits
In-country programming (e.g. seminars, local advisor)
Prestigious title and access to alumni network
ELIGIBILITY
Belgian or Luxembourgish citizenship
Proficiency in English
Minimum of a bachelor’s degree
At least 5 years of professional experience in journalism
Academic excellence or outstanding personal or professional background
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Americanized resume/CV
3 to 5 page single-spaced Project Statement
Diploma of most recent degree including transcripts with completed coursework
Three letters of recommendation (uploaded directly into online application by chosen recommenders)
*Please note that we do not require supplemental forms such as a letter of your home institution or official exam results (e.g., TOEFL). However, it is optional to include these test results in the appropriate application fields.
HOW TO APPLY
The application period to apply for this program is between September 15 and December 1 for applicants who intend to start this program in the next academic year.
E.g. if you intend to start this program in the academic year of 2022-2023, you will need to apply for a grant between September 15 and December 1, 2021.
Every applicant needs to complete an online application in English by noon (Central European Time) on December 1 including the required documents. No papers should be mailed to our office and it is not required for applicants to contact us before starting their application. Incomplete applications will not be considered for an award. When creating an online account to start a new application, preferably use a personal email address instead of a temporary work or school address.
All applications are evaluated by our Selections Committee. The most competitive applicants demonstrate ambassadorial qualities and a genuine interest in cultural exchange. It is important for candidates to articulate a clear, creative, and feasible plan for their time in the United States and to explain why this is the right time to pursue their plan and how their grant will ultimately help them achieve their personal and professional goals in the future. The Commission is looking for candidates who will have a multiplier effect within their U.S., Belgian or Luxembourgish communities and who wish to ultimately return to Belgium or Luxembourg to share their knowledge and experiences after their grant has ended.
For the Fulbright-University of Missouri Journalism Award applicants only need to apply to the Fulbright Program, and not to the University of Missouri. Candidates with strong completed applications submitted by the deadline will be invited to the Commission in the last week of January for a mandatory interview in English. Interviews are in person, and cannot be rescheduled. The interview will include a discussion of your motivations for going to the U.S., your plans when you arrive, and how you will improve U.S. relations between Belgium or Luxembourg as an alumni when you return. Successful candidates will demonstrate ambassadorial qualities, English proficiency, and the ability to explain their proposal in simple terms. The Selections Committee is composed of Belgian, Luxembourgish and American professors, professionals, government officials, and Fulbright alumni from various fields.
