2004 Press Releases

The U.S. Embassy is pleased to announce the start of recruiting for the following 2005-2006 academic year exchange programs open to Moldovan citizens: Fulbright Scholar Program; Fulbright Faculty Development Program; Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Fellowship Program; and Eurasian Undergraduate Exchange Program. All four of these programs are fully funded by the U.S. Department of State

October 04, 2004

The goals of these programs are to foster mutual understanding between the United States and Moldova through exchange and training programs and to further democratic and economic reforms in Moldova through implementation of the experience and knowledge program participants gain.

Participation in the exchange programs is merit-based, with selection made on the basis of slightly different criteria for each program. 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. The 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.)
• Spoken and written proficiency in English.

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 no 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 in Moldova is administered directly by the U.S. Embassy and offers non-degree research grants in all academic fields through two subprograms: the Fulbright Scholar Program and the Fulbright Faculty Development Program. The Fulbright Scholar Program awards senior researchers, university lecturers, or experts in different fields who have a doctoral degree or equivalent professional experience a grant to conduct research in the U.S. The Fulbright Faculty Development Program provides Moldovan university professors and administrators with at least two years of professional experience an opportunity to explore curriculum development and teaching methodology in the U.S. The Fulbright Faculty Development Program replaces the Junior Faculty Development Program (JFDP), which has been discontinued. JFDP was administered by the American Councils for International Education.

  For more information please contact the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy: 103 Mateevici Str, Chisinau, MD-2009, tel: 40 83 00. Applications for the Fulbright Program must be submitted by November 15, 2004; 18:00.

• Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Fellowship Program (Muskie) is administered by IREX (The International Research & Exchanges Board). The Muskie Program provides opportunities for graduate students and professionals from Moldova for one-year non-degree, one-year degree, or two-year degree study in the United States.

  For more information contact IREX/Moldova office: 180 Stefan cel Mare Blvd, Room 1219, Chisinau, MD-2004, tel.: 233-231, e-mail: irex@irex.md. The application deadline is November 19, 2004; 18:00.

• The Eurasian Undergraduate Exchange Program (UGRAD) is also administered by IREX (The International Research & Exchanges Board). UGRAD provides opportunities for first, second or third year undergraduate students from Moldova to spend one academic year of non-degree study in a U.S. university or community college.

  For more information contact IREX/Moldova office: 180 Stefan cel Mare Blvd, Room 1219 Chisinau, MD-2004, tel.: 233-231; e-mail: irex@irex.md. The deadline for applications is November 12, 2004; 18:00.