Fulbright-Cognition Education Research Trust Scholar Award in Educational Research

The Fulbright-Cognition Education Research Trust (CERT) Scholar Award in Educational Research is for New Zealand scholars to pursue research in the US for three to five months, on a project designed to have an impact on New Zealand schooling and student achievement.

This award has been set up by CERT in partnership with Fulbright New Zealand, to provide a unique opportunity to educationalists involved in one or more of the policy, research and practice contexts of schooling.

One award is offered to a New Zealand scholar to initiate, continue or complete research at a US institution for three to five months each year. Additional awards may be provided each year depending on the budget available.

The award is made available to people with an active research interest in the broader schooling sector who wish to:
(a) establish key relationships with credible education researchers or research organisations in the US, and
(b) collect, collate, analyse and use data available in the US for a research project.

Eligibility

Applicants may be emerging or established researchers.

To be eligible, you must:

• have a suitable academic background (bachelor's degree or higher), or the equivalent professional training or experience to conduct the proposed research
• demonstrate professionalism, leadership potential and the ability to be a cultural ambassador for New Zealand
  
• have a specific research project on which you propose to work on during the award
• be proposing, or be involved in, a research topic associated with schooling development and/or improving student achievement in New Zealand
  
• not have held another Fulbright award in the past two years, and otherwise comply with the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board's policy on Previous Fulbright Grants
• meet the citizenship requirements for this award:

Citizenship requirements

• are a New Zealand citizen
• AND are not a permanent resident or citizen of the US
• AND are not currently living in the US*
  

* Applicants outside New Zealand who are unable to attend an interview in person may be disadvantaged.

Preference for Fulbright awards is given to candidates who have not had extensive recent experience in the US.

Entitlement

• Up to US$4,000 per month towards living costs for three to five months
• International travel of up to US$2,000 for grantee and, if applicable, up to US$2,000 international travel for one dependent
• Basic health and accident insurance cover up to a maximum of US$100,000
• The opportunity to participate in various programmes and activities available to Fulbright scholars in the US

Award conditions

• You must plan to be in the US for a minimum of three months
• Your award term must fall within the period between 1 October in the year of application and 31 December of the year following application
• US immigration documentation must be completed from within New Zealand
• International travel will only be funded between New Zealand and the US
• When in the US you will be expected to conduct the proposed research as well as develop ideas in cross-fertilisation and develop professional links with educational contacts. You will also aim to enhance the profile and development of New Zealand education
• On returning from the US you will be expected to have completed, or substantially completed, a body of research whose results or outcomes are then published and disseminated through CERT, in the New Zealand education sector and other relevant arenas
• This award could be used for research or study towards a New Zealand academic qualification (but not a US academic qualification)
• In keeping with US immigration requirements and the philosophy of the Fulbright Programme, you will be required to return to New Zealand for a minimum of two years before becoming eligible for permanent residency in the US.

A final and signed report, using a provided template, should be provided within six weeks of completion of the residency. This report will be an important resource for Fulbright New Zealand and CERT and will help to build a picture of what is being achieved over time in this programme.

A separate report should be submitted to CIES, the Fulbright agency administering Fulbright scholar awards in the US.

Fulbright-CERT Scholar Award applicants and grantees are expected to understand and support the Fulbright mission and the CERT purposes.

Fulbright mission

It was Senator J William Fulbright's mission to build peace through the mutual understanding of cultures. Fulbright applicants and grantees are expected to understand and support this mission.

CERT purpose

It is the CERT Trust's responsibility to:

• foster and encourage and assist with fostering and encouraging quality education research dedicated to improving and developing the quality of teaching and learning in New Zealand schools
  
• disseminate and assist with disseminating completed research, with a view to improving and developing the quality of teaching and learning in New Zealand schools
  
• promote the use of and assist with promoting the use of research in New Zealand schools and other educational institutions or educational organizations, in order to promote the advancement of education in New Zealand.
  

In keeping with the above, grantees will be required to allow CERT to publish on their website the research arising from this award.

Application process

• Complete the two application forms below and send them to Fulbright New Zealand by the deadline
• Attach a curriculum vitae and three letters of reference
• If applicable, attach copies of published educational research
• Attach a budget
• Interviews will be held in Wellington in mid June
• You will be advised of the outcome of your application within 8 weeks

Application and support documents

Application Instructions and Supplementary Application Form:

cert-suppl.doc (706kB)

2009-2010 Application for the Fulbright Scholar Program:

cert-fbscholarapp0910.pdf (513kB)

Reference form

The application form includes three Reference Report forms. However, should you need a stand alone reference form for forwarding to referees, please use this one:

nzseniorscholar-ref0910.pdf (385kb)

Further information

For further information about the Fulbright-Cognition Education Research Trust Scholar Award in Educational Research, contact our Programme and Advising Team Leader.

Fulbright New Zealand has Campus Advisers stationed on all major New Zealand campuses. Our Advisers are all Fulbright alumni who are available to discuss their exchange experiences with students and staff, as well as to give basic information about our awards.

For more information about Cognition Education Research Trust (CERT) and their current activity, visit their website at www.cognitionresearch.org.nz