U.S. Department of State is inviting applications from American college/university students for Laura W. Bush Traveling Fellowship. These fellowships are intended to assist students’ proposals about conducting brief work in a foreign country related to the mandate of UNESCO to build strong ties among nations. The work to be conducted in the foreign country may be related to education, natural sciences, social and human sciences, culture, and/or communication and information.
About the Fellowship
The fellowship is intended for American college/university students who express an interest in international collaboration but as of yet had not been afforded many opportunities to travel abroad. The length of time for the travel is expected to be between 4 and 6 weeks and should include interaction with individuals from other nations. During his/her travel, the recipient should be willing to participate in public diplomacy events arranged with the pertinent U.S. State Department Consulate, Mission, and/or Embassy.Following the travel, the recipient agrees to submit a report describing experiences and analyzing objectives achieved; share his/her experiences with others; and be available to make a presentation to the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO.
Eligibility
In order to apply for the Laura W. Bush Traveling Fellowship, applicants:
- Must be a U.S. Citizen eligible for foreign travel
- Must be at least 18 years old and not older than 25 at the time of application
- Must be currently enrolled in an accredited U.S. college or university in the United States
Selection
A subcommittee of the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO, which shall include a personal representative of Mrs. Laura W. Bush, will conduct an initial review of the applications, conduct phone interviews as needed, and provide recommendations to the entire Commission about which candidates are the most qualified to receive the Fellowship. The number of recipients and exact amount of money awarded will depend on the quality of applications and the funds available. Past awards have been between $1,000 and $4,000.
Evaluation Criteria
- Originality and feasibility of proposal
Quality of essay - Apparent dedication to bridging nations, enlarging freedoms, and promoting democracy through one or more of UNESCO’s fields of competence
- Performance during interview, if applicable
Last date for submitting the applications for Spring 2012 is February 6, 2012. For more information and details, you can visit this link.
