Fulbright International Writing Program

Program Overview

Fulbright Israel (The United States-Israel Educational Foundation - USIEF) plans to award one grant to either a writer of short stories or novels, a poet, playwright, scripter or literary translator to participate in the 2024 International Writing Program (IWP) at the University of Iowa. The goal of the program is to provide to its participants a setting for cultural exchange; the time and space to write, read, translate, study, conduct research, and travel; and the opportunity to give readings and become part of the vibrant literary and academic community at the University of Iowa. The duration of the program is three months, between September-November 2024.  Further information on the IWP may be found on the program website.

Grant Benefits

  • ​​​​​​Monthly maintenance allowance;
  • Lodgings at the University of Iowa;
  • Program, cultural event and administrative fees;
  • Round trip airfare from Israel to the U.S.;
  • Program related local and regional travel;
  • Basic health insurance for the duration of the grant;
  • J1 visa administration;
  • Pre-departure orientation meeting in Israel;
  • A support agency in the U.S. that assists with visas, events and networking.

 

Eligibility criteria

  • Candidates should be primarily writers of fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, drama, or screenplays. Literary translators, journalists, and biographers have also participated, but those candidates must also display a comparable track record in one of the creative genres (listed earlier).
  • Candidates should have at least one published book or volume, or a sizable number of works in significant publications (anthologies, journals, literary magazines) over the last two years.
  • Candidates should also display forms of national or local recognition for their literary work.
  • Candidates must have the facility to speak English, sufficient to benefit from an 11-week writing residency where intensive discussion of literary and cultural issues forms a vital part of the experience.
  • Candidates must also be comfortable with cross-cultural dynamics and interested in close interaction with artists from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
  • Candidates must be Israeli citizens. Dual American-Israeli citizens or permanent residents of the United States are not eligible to apply.
  • Applicants will be considered without regard to race, religion, gender, age, and/or physical impairment.
  • Candidates must be residents of Israel at the time of application and must continue to be residents of Israel until the beginning of the program in August. Candidates working, residing, or studying outside of Israel are not eligible to apply.
  • Individuals who have applied on two occasions in the past and whose applications have not been accepted are not eligible to apply.
  • Candidates must be in good health. The applicant selected to receive the grant will be required to submit a Medical History and Examination Report before the grant can be activated.
  • Prior conviction or current indictment for a felony may result in disqualification.

Evaluation Criteria

  • Candidates’ literary talent and accomplishments will be evaluated on the basis of works published in literary journals; works published as books by commercial publishing houses; plays performed by repertory and/or established theaters, films and television series which have been shown in movie theaters across the country or broadcasts on national television; etc.
  • English language proficiency.
  • Leadership qualities.
  • Demonstrable ambassadorial skills required to promote mutual understanding between the United States and Israel (Fulbright Scholars serve as cultural ambassadors and should be prepared to speak about their countries, communities, cultures and research to academic and community groups.)
  • Awards, prizes and grants.
  • The potential for cultural contribution and influence after the end of the program (length of time, quality, magnitude).
  • Since the aim of the Fulbright Program is to foster cultural understanding between the U.S. and Israel, preference will be given to applicants who have not had a substantial recent academic experience in the United States or another English-speaking country.
  • Preference will be given to candidates who have not received previous Fulbright grants.
  • The Foundation reserves the exclusive right to determine, within the framework of applicable law and regulations, the qualitative standards for the evaluation of applications.  The Foundation is not under any obligation to provide the reasons for its decisions regarding the allocation of Fellowships.

Conditions of Award

  • Funding is for three months only.
  • The grantee must travel on a J-1 Exchange Visitor visa sponsored by the Fulbright program.
    • It is a condition of the visa that after completion of their Fulbright program, grantees must return to Israel and reside in the country for two years before being eligible to immigrate to the U.S., to take up permanent residence there, or to enter the U.S. with a work permit. The purpose of the two-year home residency requirement is to ensure that exchange visitors return home and fulfill the exchange objectives of the Fulbright program.
    • Two years must pass from the completion of the grantee’s Fulbright program before being permitted to return to the U.S. as the holder of a J1 professor/research scholar visa.
    • The above restrictions do not apply to re-entry to the United States as the holder of a J visa in another category (short-term scholar, specialist, international visitor), or as the holder of a student or tourist visa.
    • Unless they have received a waiver of the two-year home residence requirement, Fulbright Scholars, holding J-1 visas, are ineligible to change their status from J-1 to J-2 while in the U.S.
  • Awards cannot be deferred to the following year.  Awards must be taken up no later than the program start date.
  • The Program does not sponsor J-2 visas for spouses or dependents. Thus, Fellows may not bring spouses or dependents with them to the U.S.
  • Fellows will be asked to act as Fulbright Israel Programs' Ambassadors – to share their experiences with others, to disseminate fellowship information among colleagues and potential candidates and to participate in information sessions for new candidates that may be held in their region. Alumni will also be invited to attend Fulbright Israel's activities and events and, from time to time, asked to assist in the reviewing process for incoming candidates. 

Timetable for 2024

Applications open  January 2 2024
Final deadline for submission of applications March 2, 2024
Referees review applications April 2024
Candidates notified of results April 2024
J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board approves selection of candidate May 2024
Participation in the International Writing Program

September-November, 2023

Frequently Asked Questions

I hold dual citizenship – both Israeli and American. Am I eligible to apply for a Fulbright award?
No. Only Israeli citizens are eligible to apply. Israeli citizens holding citizenship of another country other than the U.S. in addition to Israel are eligible to apply.
I am already enrolled in a program in the U.S. May I apply for a Fulbright award to complete my program?
No. Fulbright awards are granted to applicants who have not commenced their programs in the U.S.
I am a qualified medical doctor. May I apply for the post-doctoral program?
Yes. However, medical doctors (MDs) must also have a PhD in order to be eligible for Fulbright Postdoctoral fellowships. In addition, research in the United States, must not involve clinical contact with patients. Post-doctoral Fellowships are not available to support clinical internships. This is only relevant for Postdoctoral programs.
Can I avail myself of a Fulbright award for a project that I want to work on in Israel?
No. Fulbright awards are for study/research in the United States only.
Are Fulbright grants available for attending conferences, seminars and paper presentations in the U.S. and other countries?
Fulbright grants are not awarded for these purposes.
How do I apply for an award?
You should read the Instructions and Information and submit your Application Form using the Applications Embark online system. Applications which are not submitted online cannot be considered.

For inquiries:

Leon Franco

Tel: 03-5213808  

Email: [email protected]

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