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Summer Institute on Climate Change and Sustainability

The US-UK Fulbright Commission is now accepting applications for this Award.

The Summer Institute for Outstanding European Students on Climate Change and Sustainability is a five-week cultural and academic programme for undergraduate students held at University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. UK participants will be joined by participants from France, Norway, Denmark and Portugal.

The Institute’s primary goals will be:

• to learn from experts about the latest research and theories on climate change and environmental sustainability.
• to demonstrate how the above research findings and theories are connected to their own studies and research.
• engage in thought-provoking interaction regarding global warming.
• share practical solutions from their disciplinary and personal perspectives regarding climate change.
• to experience how American businesses are promoting environmental sustainability through their work.
• practice presenting research findings to the general public.
• develop on-going relationships with a diverse community of faculty and students and community members.
• to understand and experience the United States and its diversity.

This years institute will take place from 26 June - 30 July 2010.

Award Benefits

The Summer Institute will cover all participant costs.  This includes round-trip airfare from the UK to the US (on a US airline), tuition and fees at the host university, accommodation and meals, a small daily allowance, health and accident insurance, a small book allowance and visa processing and participation in a number of Fulbright Scholar events. Participants will be housed in their host university’s residence halls and with an American host family during a portion of the programme.

In addition to organising site visits and activities with a variety of organisations such as the Large Lakes Observatory and Minneapolis Planetarium, the University of Minnesota will organise visits to organisations promoting sustainability through their work, including organic farms, food cooperatives, and small business ventures.

Special Programmes do not preclude participants from applying for a Fulbright Award upon returning to the UK.

Selection Criteria

To meet the minimum eligibility for this award category you need to:

• be a UK citizen (resident anywhere) and at least 18 years old,
• be able to participate in the programme in its entirety,
• have a high level of academic achievement (as indicated by academic marks, awards and references),
• be an undergraduate student in one of the following fields; biology, geography, environmental science, physics, chemistry, politics and policy studies, engineering and urban planning.  The ideal candidate should have completed no more than two years of coursework; i.e. 1st and 2nd year undergraduates and have a keen interest in environmental or green issues.
• be mature, responsible, independent, and open-minded,
• be willing and able to fully participate in an academically intensive programme that includes attending all sessions, completing all assignments and contributing to classroom discussions  
• have had little or no study or travel experience in the US or elsewhere outside of the UK and;
• expect to return to the UK and continue your education.

Non-UK citizens are required to apply through the Commission or US Embassy in their country of citizenship. Dual UK-EU citizens must apply in the country in which they currently reside; if not resident in either country then applications must be made through the Commission in the country in which they have resided for the longest period of time. US nationals, those with dual US-UK citizenship, persons holding permanent residency ‘green cards’ and those resident in the US may not apply.
 
In making these awards the Commission is looking not only for academic excellence but a focused application, a range of extracurricular and community activities, an indication of ambassadorial skills, a desire to further the Fulbright Programme and a plan to give back to your home country upon returning.

Individuals from a broad range of ethnic, religious, geographic, and socio-economic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Applying

All applications are due Wednesday 31 March 2010 by 5pm

Each candidate will be required to submit:

(a)    Application Form (word) or (pdf)
(b)    Two Personal Statements (see question 7 on the application form)
(c)    Transcript/Confirmation of Grades
(d)    Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form (word) or (pdf)   
(e)    Two References in signed and sealed envelopes (word) or (pdf)          

Important note: Your application will not be considered complete until the US-UK Fulbright Commision has received all of the required documents.

Applicants must send their completed application form by post, to the following address:

Summer Institute on Climate Change and Sustainability
Fulbright Awards Programme
The US-UK Fulbright Commission
Fulbright House
62 Doughty St
LONDON
WC1N 2JZ

Please note: Applications which arrive by email, by fax or late will not be considered. Please ensure that you attach sufficient postage when sending forms/letters to the US-UK Fulbright Commission in London. We will not accept excess charges for items of mail which have been underpaid -- they will be returned unopened.

If you would like confirmation that your application has been received by the Fulbright Commission, you must send your application via Recorded Delivery.
Commission staff will not confirm receipt of applications by email or phone.

Interviews

Applications will be short-listedand successful applicants will be invited to interview on either 27 or 28 April 2010. Interviews will only be held on these two days and may not be rescheduled. All interviews must be in-person, without exception; the Fulbright Commission will not conduct telephone interviews for this award category.

If you are making an application, please save these dates as an invitation to interview may come within a few days of the interview date.The selection committee will be comprised of Fulbright Commission staff and on occasion representatives from a relevant field, academics, US Embassy and/or Consulate representatives and Fulbright alumni.

Candidates will be considered without respect to race, colour, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sexual preference or gender (including gender reassignment). Individuals from a broad range of ethnic, religious, geographic, and socio-economic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Important note: The US-UK Fulbright Commission is unable to comment on individual applications or the reason for their refusal.

Timeline

22 January - Competition opens
31 March - Application deadline
mid April - Short-listed candidates invited to interview
27/28 April - Interviews
mid May - Notification
early-mid June - J1 visa paperwork preparation
mid June - Pre-departure Orientation in London
25 June - Group departure
1 August - Group return
September - Reception in London and evaluation meeting