Fulbright Foreign Student Program
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program is the largest Fulbright program with Africa, designed primarily to strengthen African universities through higher degree training. Recent Bachelor’s degree graduates, especially women, are encouraged to apply. The program funds selected Master’s degree candidates for a maximum of two (2) years. All awards are contingent upon approval by the J. William Fulbright Scholarship Board (FSB), availability of funds and successful academic placement.
Selection Criteria
- Applicant must be citizen of Mauritania;
- Applicant must have at least the “License” or the equivalent of three (3) years of university study or the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree. Only Master’s degree candidates can apply to the Fulbright Foreign Student Program this year;
- Applicant should have a sufficient level of English proficiency to enable them to realistically accomplish full-time graduate level study in the U.S;
- Applicant must meet the minimum iBT TOEFL score of 80 or better.
- Applicant should have a high motivation and a serious commitment to completing the program as scheduled and to returning home;
- Applicant with no recent or extensive U.S. experience will be given preference;
- Immediate family members of employees of the U.S. Government (including a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, USAID, and other U.S. Government entities) are ineligible. Additionally, local employees of the U.S. missions abroad employed by the State of Department are ineligible for one year following termination of employment.
- Applicant must be residing in their home country throughout the nomination and selection process.
No applicant may receive more than one Fulbright student grant, including Humphrey scholar alumni. This does not apply to the Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) program alumni.
For more information, please see: https://eca.state.gov/fulbright/fulbright-programs
Humphrey Program
The Humphrey Program brings accomplished mid-level professionals to the United States for a year of academic study and professional work in a non-degree program that involves a combination of academic study and professional development. Participants will design their own program, and discuss with the academic advisor on how to achieve the objectives they set for themselves. Eleven (11) Mauritanians have participated in this program since 2005.
Eligible Fields:
Applicants MUST be from one or more of the following eligible fields:
Human and Institutional Capacity:
- Economic Development
- Finance & Banking
- Public Policy Analysis and Public Administration
- Technology Policy and Management
- Human Resource Management
Rights and Freedoms:
- Communications and Journalism
- International Religious Freedom
- Law and Human Rights
- Trafficking in Persons Policy & Prevention
Sustainable Lands:
- Agricultural and Rural Development
- Natural Resources, Environmental Policy, and Climate Change
- Urban and Regional Planning
Thriving Communities:
- Contagious and Infectious Diseases
- Public Health Policy and Management
- HIV&AIDS, Policy and Prevention
- Substance Abuse Education, Treatment and Prevention (see 4b)
- Educational Administration, Planning, and Policy
- Higher Education Administration
- Teaching English as a Foreign Language
Candidates must have either a research background in the field or demonstrated ability to learn the results and policy implications of current research.
Eligibility Requirements:
To be eligible for a Humphrey fellowship, applicants must meet the following citeria:
- Applicants must be Mauritanian citizens, resident in Mauritania
- Applicants must have an undergraduate university degree – License or Maitrise;
- Applicants should have a minimum of five years full-time professional experience;
- Applicants must possess managerial or supervisory positions in their organizations and a demonstrated record of public service;
- Applicants should have limited or no prior experience in the U.S.; and
- Applicants should be proficient in both written and spoken English, and be willing to sit for the TOEFL (English language proficiency exam) if they are a program finalist.
Note: Individuals who fall under one of the following categories: U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, immediate family members of U.S. Embassy employees, recipients of Fulbright grants within the last five years, students already registered at or attending study programs in the United States or with previous U.S. study experience, individuals employed in the United States, those married to American citizens, those who have applied to immigrate or those have sought asylum in another country are not eligible to apply for the Humphrey Program.
For more information, please see: https://www.humphreyfellowship.org
Young African Leaders (YALI) Mandela-Washington Fellowship (MWF)
YALI MWF is a key part of the White House commitment to invest in the future of Africa. The White House created this initiative out of recognition of the critical and increasing role that young Africans are playing in strengthening democratic institutions, spurring economic growth, and enhancing peace and security in Africa. 20 Mauritanians have already participated in this program. The entirety of this program is conducted in English language.
For more information, please see: https://yali.state.gov/
YALI Regional Leadership Center (YALI RLC) or “YALI Dakar”
YALI Regional Leadership Center is located in Dakar and offers leadership training programs to young francophone leaders between the ages of 18 and 35. The RLC serves as a place for regional collaboration driven by young leaders by providing in-person and online training, networking, and professional development opportunities. The RLCs are a project of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in close partnership with The MasterCard Foundation and other private sector partners. Each center is managed as a public-private partnership. The entirety of this program is conducted in French language.
For more information, please see: http://www.yaliafriquedelouest.org/
