Fulbright Visiting Scholars Program at UNO

Fulbright Visiting Scholars Program at UNO

The Fulbright Program started by Congress in 1946 was designed to promote mutual understanding between people in the U.S. and other countries. Currently, Fulbright partners with 160 countries for academic and cultural exchange. International scholars who visit UNO on this program join thousands of alumni all over the world who have benefited from this premier international exchange program. Fulbright sponsors students, teachers, scholars, and researchers.

These scholars, called J-1 Exchange Visitors, receive round-trip international travel as well as health insurance benefits for sickness and accidents provided by the U.S. Department of State (DOS). Most scholars also receive a monthly stipend and additional allowances.

Host Department Responsibilities

Scholar Responsibilities

Fulbright Responsibilities

International Programs (INPR) Responsibilities

Host Department Responsibilities

Invitation

When a prospective Fulbright scholar contacts an academic department about interest in doing research at UNO, the department will want to:

1. Request a CV to determine if the department fits with the proposed research.
2. Decide if there is a dedicated faculty mentor available
3. Learn about proposed dates for the visit

Once the departmental interest is clear, a Letter of Invitation is needed for Fulbright to select the individual for sponsorship. See information about writing a letter of invitation. Once approved by Fulbright, UNO’s academic department will need to complete an Institutional Reply (IRF) form along with an international advisor from UNO International Programs (ASH 241). This form clarifies information on housing, insurance, work space, costs/fees, contact information, and more. For more assistance from an international advisor, please call International Programs at 402-554-2293.

Costs

Fulbright covers a stipend for their scholars’ travel, living and housing expenses as well as those of accompanying dependents.

The costs to a department are minimal. Additionally,

Fulbright issues the immigration document (DS 2019) to the scholar and would explain about the scholar’s required SEVIS fee.

Preparing for the Scholar’s Arrival

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) Fulbright Administrative Official is responsible for signing off on the Institutional Reply Form (IRF) along with the departmental sponsor. This form explains the terms of the Fulbright grant and must be signed off BEFORE the DS-2019 immigration document is issued by Fulbright to the scholar. This form clarifies information on housing, insurance, work space, costs/fees, contact information, and more. For more assistance from an international advisor who works with Fulbright and J scholars, please call International Programs (ASH 241) at 402-554-2293.

Need to Know:

1. Any recommended arrival date
2. Any departmental fees associated with overhead costs of hosting a Fulbright Scholar. Generally, departments do not charge fees for hosting scholars, but Fulbright can cover such fees. However, there may be an expectation that any fees would be waived.

When the scholar is awarded the grant and before arrival, International Programs will need to see the scholar’s passport in order to create an EPAF form and to submit information to Export Control.

The host department will need to assist the scholar with:

1. A University ID Card and notification to MavCARD services
2. An office or workspace- preferably near the department mentor
3. Computer and internet access
4. Library and research access
5. Suggestions for Housing (temporary and permanent suggestions may be available from International Programs)
6. Obtaining a Social Security number soon after arrival (INPR can provide a letter and instructions)

The scholar and department’s mentor will be encouraged to correspond directly with one another and copy International Programs staff- especially concerning arrival plans.

Upon the Scholar’s Arrival

The department should send someone to meet the Fulbright Scholar at the airport on time with a welcome sign. Either the faculty mentor, graduate student, or another representative would greet and transport the scholar to the pre-arranged housing. The department would also need to plan to orient the scholar during the first days in the city and/or on campus.

Be sure to touch base with the Office of National Scholarships and Fellowships to let them know of your Fulbright Scholar’s dates of stay and special research area.

Housing

While the scholar is responsible for his or her own housing, the academic department should seek out information that will aid the scholar in finding suitable housing. UNO has limited scholar or family housing units available and may not be able to house for long periods of time. Scholars without prior Social Security cards, may also find that obtaining an apartment without the card limits apartment availability.

Please help inform the scholar about the real costs of nice, secure unfurnished apartments. Close proximity to UNO is best, but those scholars with dependents may also be looking for locations near schools or bus lines.

A useful UNO off-campus housing website

Insurance

While Fulbright provides a health and accident insurance policy for scholars, it is recommended that both they and their dependents take additional insurance throughout their entire stay. Dependents are not covered on the Fulbright policy and will need separate coverage with acceptable minimum Department of State coverage.

International Student Insurance (ISI)

ISI Budget, Elite, or Select Plans only. Dependents are not included on these plans-see UNO website for referral.

Department of State Minimum Insurance Guidelines

Critical U.S. Department of State Insurance Information

If the scholar does not take a US based known policy which clearly meets DOS guidelines, INPR will ask for a waiver form to be signed. US health insurance is very expensive, but not covering scholars and their dependents with sufficient coverage- including pre-existing conditions is very risky.

Social Involvement

The academic department should introduce the new Fulbright scholar to as many faculty, staff, and others as possible. Since learning about US culture is an integral part of this program, it is incumbent upon the department to help provide a positive experience for our campus guest researchers.

Scholar Responsibilities

The Fulbright scholar must:

1. Stay actively and consistently connected to the host sponsor and department
2. Be aware of all the resources that Fulbright provides
3. Visit the International office in ASH 241 soon after arrival
4. Know the assigned IIE staff member to correspond with on important matters
5. Consult the IIE advisor about any questions about tax obligations
6. Be acquainted with US laws and university policies
7. Be careful not to accept public assistance even if they appear to qualify

Fulbright Responsibilities

The Fulbright program is administered by the Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES) and is a division of the Institute of International Education (IIE). Fulbright responsibilities include:

1. Providing the DS-2019 form(s) for scholars and any dependents. These forms are used to pay a Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee and obtain a J-1 visa appointment with a US Embassy or Consulate.
2. Covering travel and living expenses for the scholar and dependents
3. Providing an insurance health plan through SEVEN CORNERS or ASPE (Accident & Sickness Program for Exchanges) Since this policy has limitations, UNO’s International Programs would strongly recommend that additional medical insurance coverage be obtained for the entire period of stay for scholars and dependents.

International Programs (INPR) Responsibilities

Since Fulbright will issue the immigration documents and take responsibility for the immigration reporting for these J-1 scholars or J-2 (dependents), the role for International Programs staff is to provide additional support to both the Fulbright scholar and the academic department. Since international advisors deal with a wide variety of concerns of international participants on campus, they are always a first good resource to contact for unusual situations or concerns. Email: unointladvising@unomaha.edu

International Advisors in ASH 241 can assist with personal counseling on immigration, health, and cultural matters and always provide referrals as needed. INPR can also include the scholar in any additional social activities planned for international students and scholars.

INPR must also house any important immigration documents and contractual records associated with the Fulbright Scholars.

Thank you for providing a welcoming and caring campus environment for our honored Fulbright Scholars!