2013 Fulbright Student Program for Azerbaijan announced

Baku, August 3 (AzerTAc). The Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan and the Embassy of the United States announced Fulbright Student Program for the academic year 2012-2013. This program is designed to provide opportunities for Azerbaijani youth to continue their education via master’s degree studies in U.S. universities. Fellowships are awarded competitively to candidates who best demonstrate a commitment to service in public and/or private sectors. Eligibility requirements is Azerbaijani citizenship, University degree (with academic excellence - at least 4 points in the 5-point grading system or equivalent), English language proficiency (minimum 80 IBT TOEFL score), under 35 years of age. Availability of military service certificate, or proof of military service deferment for actual inductees. Fulbright program calls for applications from all fields of study. Applications must be submitted online. Candidates can access the online application at https://apply.embark.com/student/fulbright/international . In addition to the online application, the applicant is required to submit one hard copy of the following documents to the US Embassy by August 23th, 2012. The Fulbright Program, including the Fulbright-Hays Program, is a program of competitive, merit-based grants for international educational exchange for students, scholars, teachers, professionals, scientists and artists, founded by United States Senator J. William Fulbright in 1946. Under the Fulbright Program, competitively selected U.S. citizens may become eligible for scholarships to study, conduct research, or exercise their talents abroad and citizens of other countries may qualify to do the same in the United States. The Fulbright Program is the most prestigious awards program worldwide, operating in over 155 countries. The program was established to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries through the exchange of persons, knowledge, and skills. The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs sponsors the Fulbright Program from an annual appropriation from the U.S. Congress. Additional direct and in-kind support comes from partner governments, foundations, corporations, and host institutions both in and outside the U.S.