Applicants must have the following qualifications:

1. A Malaysian citizen.
2. Doctoral degree or equivalent professional training or experience at the time of application.
3. Minimum five years of working experience in the related field.
4. Faculty member in a university / higher learning institution in Malaysia and eligible for sabbatical or other leaves.
5. An excellent record of achievement as indicated by quality publications and professional activities.
6. Sufficient proficiency in English appropriate to propose lecturing or research project to be carried out in the United States;
7. Letter of affiliation from a U.S. host institution. This letter should contain the institution’s letterhead and states the exact dates (or academic term), the objective of your research stay as well as any facilities you will have access to during your grant. 
8. Sabbatical leave letter from home institution is required by the time of application and this letter must state the benefits the applicant is entitled to during the 3-6 months sabbatical or other leaves in the United States.
9. A detailed statement of a proposed activity for research or lecturing at a U.S. institution. The proposed project should contribute to the development of knowledge in your field and must be effectively investigated within the period of the grant.
10. Certification of good health.
11. Applicants will be considered without regard to race, religion, sex, age, and/ or physical impairment.
12. Preference is given to those without recent experience in the United States.
13. Applicants should be representative and responsible citizens who can contribute to a full and fair picture of the culture of Malaysia and thereby contribute to understanding between the people of the United States and Malaysia. You should also demonstrate the cross-cultural sensitivity and flexibility needed to adjust successfully to life in the United States.

Applicants are requested to note some of the most frequent application problems:

1. Applicants must have a well-thought-out plan for research that demonstrates knowledge of the field in general, as well as scientific methods for approaching the subject and knowledge of sources of data in the United States.
2. Lack of an adequate research proposal. This is the single most common weakness of applications and the one that reflects most seriously on the applicant’s prospects for placement. 
3. Selection of a proposed host institution without providing rationale or copies of correspondence or not mentioning any preference for affiliation.
4. Lack of knowledge of English or of a plan to acquire a working level of English before beginning the grant.
5. Lack of a curriculum vitae and list of publications.
6. Proposing visits to numerous institutions.
7. Proposing a non-academic host institution without including a clear justification with sufficient details.

• Monthly stipend
• Additional limited financial support for dependents
• One time Settling-in allowance
• One time Professional Development Allowance
• Health Insurance (for the Fulbright scholarship recipient only)

The Fulbright Malaysian Scholar grant augments the privileges normally accorded by the home institution to its staff members on sabbatical or other leave. The program also solicits the cooperation of the U.S. host institutions which may invite grantees to conduct research/lecturing using their facilities. It will enhance the application and assist the selection process if candidates have already examined appropriate affiliation at a U.S. institution. Cost-sharing from the candidate or the home institution is encouraged as this enables MACEE to offer Fulbright grants to more candidates.

A Fulbright scholarship recipient will be covered by Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE) for the duration of the Fulbright program. 

• ASPE’s coverage is minimal and meets the minimum health insurance requirements for J-1 Exchange Visitors. 
• Health & Accident Insurance (ASPE) – valued at up to USD$100,000 (for the scholar only)

Some U.S. universities may require a recipient to purchase additional health insurance if ASPE benefits do not meet university requirements for coverage.

Click here for the online application.

Documents to be uploaded online:

1. It is advisable to include a letter of invitation when submitting your application. However, if you are not able to do so, you can submit it at a later date after the application deadline.
2. Academic transcripts
3. Degree certificates
4. Sabbatical leave letter
5. Passport copy
6. Source of financial support for accompanying dependent(s).
7. Three (3)  letters of reference in English; one must be from the applicant’s current employer.

Tentative interview date: November 2024 and candidates are expected to begin their grant in the U.S. starting August 2025.

Fulbright Plagiarism Procedure

This program seeks applicants whose writing achieves the highest academic standards of original research, writing, and citation. Application materials will be processed using software to help identify any instances of plagiarism. Plagiarism in any part of your application will result in your disqualification from participating in the program.

Plagiarism will be understood to include any of the following:
Presenting wording, statistics, or concepts as your own which should be attributed to someone else or publications (online or offline). This includes, but is not limited to:

• Copying the exact wording of a written source
• Presenting material with alterations in wording
• Paraphrasing the content of a source without citation

It is expected that your application will be your work and writing, with a clear citation of secondary sources if describing the academic work and writing of others (including one’s own previously published work). Any sources used in the construction of your responses must be cited.

Please submit your application by October 11, 2024.

Only shortlisted candidates will be called for an interview and the final announcement of awards will be made in March/April 2025.

Contact Information

For inquiries, please email fulbrightmalaysia@macee.org.my  or contact us at 03-21668878