Public Affairs Section

Academic, Professional, and Cultural Exchange Programs

The U.S. Government sponsors a number of academic, professional, and cultural exchange programs in Moldova.  The goals of these programs are to foster mutual understanding between the United States and Moldova through exchange and training projects and to further democratic and economic reforms in Moldova through implementation of the experience and knowledge program participants gain.

The U.S. Government’s academic, professional, and cultural exchange programs are funded under the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (Fulbright-Hays Act) and are subject to funding allocated annually by the U.S. Congress.  Some of the exchange programs are bilateral, offering exchanges in both directions, such as the Fulbright Program.  Other programs, such as the International Visitor Leadership Program, are unilateral, designed for foreign citizens to travel to the U.S.  The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in the United States Department of State oversees the programs worldwide, while the U.S. Embassy in Chisinau is responsible for the programs in Moldova.  The U.S. Embassy directly administers several of the exchange programs, while others are administered by approved organizations.

Announcements about U.S. Government exchange programs in Moldova are posted on the U.S. Embassy web page http://moldova.usembassy.gov  and the web pages of the administering organizations.  They are also published in local mass media.  The application deadlines for each program vary throughout the year, and therefore program announcements occur at different times.  However, the web pages provide general information about the programs throughout the year.

Participation in the exchange programs is merit-based, with selection made on the basis of slightly different criteria for each program.  Moldovan applicants are evaluated on factors such as academic excellence, leadership potential, knowledge of English, fields of study or research, and preparedness for living in the United States.  All programs offer equal opportunities to all applicants and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national or ethnic origin, handicap or disability.  Preference is given to those applicants without recent experience in the United States.

While each program has additional requirements, the basic qualifications for all programs are:

• Citizenship of the Republic of Moldova.
• Residency in Moldova at the time of application and throughout the selection process.
• Eligibility for a J-1 visa.  Program participants must return to and reside in Moldova for two years after completion of their programs and are not eligible for visa transfers.

The application and selection process for each program consists of several stages.  The first stage is submission of a written application.  Those that advance to the next stage are required to attend an oral interview and may be required to demonstrate their English proficiency.  Generally, the selection process takes six months from the time written applications are submitted to the notification of successful candidates.  Final candidates for most programs are notified of their selection not earlier than April.  Most participants begin their program and travel to the United States nearly one year after submitting the written application.

The Fulbright Program is named after the late U. S. Senator J. William Fulbright, who introduced legislation to the U.S. Congress in 1946 creating an educational exchange program between the United States and other countries.  In Moldova, the Fulbright program offers non-degree research grants for senior researchers, university lecturers, or experts in different fields who have a doctoral degree or equivalent professional experience.  The program accepts candidates from arts and humanities, social sciences, and natural and applied sciences.  Grants are awarded for a period of three to ten months.  Usually the program is announced in May with written applications due in October.  For further information, contact the U.S. Embassy at 40-83-00 or visit www.cies.org

The Fulbright Faculty Development Program provides university instructors from Moldova with training in curriculum development and teaching methodology.  Throughout their stay in the United States, fellows participate in and observe courses and attend professional events.  Participants work closely with faculty mentors from host universities in the United States to develop new courses in their fields of study, gathering new teaching materials, and sharing Moldovan teaching practices with U.S. faculty and students.  Fellows spend 10 months in the United States.  Applicants must have at least two years of professional experience as a university lecturer or administrator.  Usually the program is announced in May with the written application due in October.  For further information, please contact the U.S. Embassy at 40-83- 00 or visit www.iie.org

The U.S. Fulbright Scholar Program sends four to six U.S. faculty and professionals to Moldova each year.  Grantees lecture at Moldovan universities and conduct research in a wide variety of academic and professional fields.  For more information, please visit www.cies.org

The Fulbright Senior Specialist Program provides short-term academic opportunities (two to six weeks) for U.S. faculty and professionals.  The goal of this program is to promote increased connections between U.S. and non-U.S. higher education academic institutions and to encourage new activities that go beyond the traditional Fulbright activities of lecturing and research.  For more information, please visit www.cies.org

The Fulbright program for U.S. Students awards one academic year research grants to U.S. citizens in all fields.  The program provides invaluable opportunities to meet, work, and live with people of Moldova, sharing daily experiences, and promotes cross-cultural interaction and mutual understanding through engagement in the community on a one-to-one basis in an atmosphere of openness, academic integrity, and intellectual freedom.  For more information, please visit www.iie.org

The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program is a one-year scholarship offered to mid-career professionals who have a record of leadership, a commitment to public service in either the public or private sector, and the capacity to take full advantage of a self-defined program of independent study at a leading U.S. university.  While program participants receive a certificate from the U.S. Government, the program is not designed to deliver an advanced degree. Each year, the U.S. Embassy identifies eligible fields.  Usually, the program is announced in May with written applications due in July.  For further information, contact the U.S. Embassy at 40-83-00 or visit www.iie.org

The International Visitor Leadership Program brings participants to the United States to meet and confer with their professional counterparts and to experience the U.S. firsthand.  The emphasis of the program is to increase mutual understanding through communication at the personal and professional levels.  The participants, who are current or potential leaders in government, politics, media, education, and other fields, are selected by U.S. Embassy officials.  For more information, please contact the U.S. Embassy at 40-83-00.

The U.S. Speakers Program brings U.S. professionals to Moldova to serve as consultants, or present at conferences and seminars.  For more information, please contact the U.S. Embassy at 40-83-00. 

The Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Fellowship Program selects outstanding citizens of Moldova to receive scholarships for Master's level study and professional development in the United States in various fields.  Fellows are placed at academic institutions throughout the United States to take part in graduate programs that are one year, eighteen months, or two years in length.  Many programs lead to a master's degree or certificate from a U.S. institution, depending on the field of specialization and type of program.  Usually, the program is announced in September with the written application due in October.  This program is administered in Moldova by IREX.  For further information,  please contact the IREX office in Moldova, tel: 23-32-31 or visit www.irex.md

The Eurasian Undergraduate Exchange Program offers full scholarships for one academic year of non-degree study in the U.S. in different fields.  The purpose of the program is to support the economic and democratic development of Moldova through exposing students to key transition fields and enhancing their academic education with a practical training component and community involvement.  Scholarships are available to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year students of recognized academic institutions of higher education in Moldova.  Usually, the program is announced in September with written applications due in October.  For further information, contact the IREX office in Moldova, tel: 23 32 31 or visit www.irex.md

The Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX) offers one-year scholarships to high school students.  Scholarship winners live in the United States with an American host family, attend high school, experience American community life, and share Moldovan culture with Americans.  Students must be enrolled in the 9th, 10th, or 11th grade and must meet specific age requirements to apply.  Applicants must have a good command of English, a good academic record, and must possess the personal skills, qualities, attitude, and motivation that will enable them to succeed as exchange students.  In Moldova, the program is administered by the American Councils for International Education (ACTR/ACCELS) and usually is announced in late August.  For further information please contact the ACTR/ACCELS office in Moldova, tel: 22-58-60 or visit www.americancouncils.md