FULBRIGHT PROGRAM AFGHANISTAN

APPLICATION FORM FOR FULBRIGHT MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAM – 2021-2022 Cohort

Fulbright Foreign Student Application Checklist

***READ THE CHECKLIST CAREFULLY BEFORE COMPLETING APPLICATION***

 Applicants must be Afghan citizens with a permanent residence in Afghanistan.

 Applicants who are permanent residents of other countries are not eligible.
Eligibility
 U.S. government employees (part-time, temporary, consultants, and contractors) and their immediate families are not eligible.
 All Fulbright programs in Afghanistan provide support for the recipient ONLY. Dependents, including spouses cannot
accompany the recipient.
 Follow the instructions carefully and answer all questions completely.
Application Form  Each part of the application form must be completed in English. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
 Use the tab key to move from field to field; do not exceed the space provided in text boxes.
 Applicant must enter his/her personal information accurately as it appears (or will appear) on his/her passport.
Required • Applicants must have minimum TOEFL/iBT score of 79 or IELTS 6.5. when submitting application ( All applicants must
Standardized have a valid TOEFL iBT score after being selected)
TOEFL iBT or • Please register on the ETS website: www.ets.org.
IELTS • A screenshot of your TOEFL or IELTS score should be included in the application package.
GRE and GMAT  GRE or GMAT score not required until being selected as a finalist or alternate for the Fulbright program.
Test Scores  If you have a current GRE or GMAT scores, please provide the information in the Application Form.
Study Research • A narrative statement describing what you want to study, why you want to study that particular subject, and how it connects
Objectives to your career goals. To learn more about how to prepare an essay, click here.
Personal • A narrative statement describing how you have attained your achievements and express your future goals. To learn more
Statement about how to prepare a Personal Statement, click here.
Resume/CV • An up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV) or resume is required and is part of the application package (max 2 pages).
• Three letters of recommendation from academic professors and work supervisors are required.
Letters of • Letters of recommendation must NOT be written by relatives or friends of the applicant.
Recommendation • All recommendation letters must be scanned and included in the application package.

• A four-year bachelor’s degree with eight semesters of graded transcripts is required for the Master’s program.
• Applicants with three-year degrees, for example, from some universities of India, must either have a four-year Indian bachelor’s
degree or completed an Indian master’s degree, if the bachelor’s degree is of less than four years’ duration.
• Applicants who will have completed their bachelor’s degree by Spring 2020, but have not received their official diploma, may, in
lieu of the diploma: a) attach an official letter from the Ministry of Higher Education, certifying their graduation as well as their
Diploma(s) and final transcript evidencing attainment of a bachelor’s degree or b) if graduating in Spring 2020, a copy of their current transcript.
Transcripts • For those applicants invited for an interview, officially attested documents are required: students who graduated in Fall 2019 or
earlier must have all diplomas and transcripts attested by the Afghan Ministry of Higher Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs
by the interview date; students graduating in Spring 2020 will require a letter from the university’s registrar affirming that they
are on track to graduate by May 2020 – officially attested transcripts will be required before a final offer is extended.
• Foreign degree holders must present and provide a second original copy of their diploma and transcript at the time of the
interview.
Translation of  All documents, including diplomas, transcripts, and recommendation letters, must be translated into English by an official
Documents translation company or a certified translator.
 University preferences are not guaranteed.
University
 When listing your preference, please specify the department and program.
Preference
 If you are in correspondence with a faculty member, please provide his/her name and contact information.
Application A complete application should include the following components:
Package ☐ Signed Application Checklist ☐ Completed Application Form ☐Screenshot of TOEFL score ☐Updated CV
(Check  when
completed) ☐Three recommendation letters ☐Copy of Attested Diploma(s) ☐ Copy of Attested Transcript(s)
Applicants must scan and combine all components of the application package into one single PDF file . Please submit the
Submitting combined PDF file and the completed editable PDF application form via email to [email protected] before the deadline
Complete (11:59pm Kabul time on February 28, 2020). The two attachment file names should include your full name and field of
Application study. The subject line of your email must also include your full name and field of study. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS will
not be considered.

Applicant Name: ________________________________________ Applicant Signature:_____________________________________Date:_______________________________

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PERSONAL INFORMATION

1. Last Name (family name): 2. First Name (given name):

3. Gender: Choose
Coose anan item
item. Choosean
4. Marital Status: Choose anitem.
item
5. Date of Birth*: (Month-Day-Year) *This should match the date listed on your passport.”
6. Current Age:
7. National Identification Number/Tazkira:
8. Permanent Contact Information:
Street:
City: Province: Country:
Landline Telephone: Email:
Mobile Phone 1:
Mobile Phone 2:

9. Emergency Contact in Afghanistan (Please provide the information for an individual who can be notified in case of an emergency)
Name: Relation to you:
Phone: E-mail:

IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY INFORMATION

10. Country of Birth:

11. Birthplace: (City, Province):
12. Do you now have, or have you ever held U.S. citizenship? ☐ Yes ☐ No
13. Do you have dual citizenship with any other country? ☐ Yes ☐ No
14. Do you have U.S. lawful permanent residency (Green Card)? ☐ Yes ☐ No
15. Do you have any relatives and/or contacts in the United States or Canada? ☐ Yes ☐ No

16. Have you ever applied for the visa lottery (diversity visa)? If so, please list the year(s) you applied. If someone else has applied
on your behalf, or if your spouse or child has applied, please also include that information.

17. Has anyone ever filed an immigrant visa petition on your behalf or on behalf of your spouse or child? If so, list their name,
relationship to you and when they filed the petition.

18. Have you, your spouse, or child ever applied for a Special Immigrant Visa? If so, please specify who, when, and what is the
current status.

19. Have you ever applied for any other type of visa? If so, please list when, and what was the result.

20. Are you aware of any factor that might make you ineligible to receive a U.S. visa? If so, please explain.

21. Have you visited, studied, or lived in any country outside of Afghanistan? .. If so, please provide
the information below:
Dates of visit
Reason for travel Country visited
From (month/year) To (month/year)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

22. If you answered yes to question number 15, please provide the (a) name, (b) type of relationship, and (c) city of residence for each
individual who you know in the United States and Canada:
United States:
Canada:
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LANGUAGE SKILLS & TEST SCORES

23. What is your native or mother tongue (the first language you learned at home)?

24. English language test scores

TEST SCORE DATE TAKEN

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Internet-based
Test (iBT)/ The International English Language Testing
System (IELTS)

25. Other examination dates and test scores

TEST SCORE(S) DATE TAKEN

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)

FULBRIGHT STUDENT STUDY PLANS IN THE UNITED STATES

26. What is your proposed field of study? Please select one of the fields below. Type your selection:

Accounting/Finance Fine Arts Pharmacology

Agriculture Fisheries Philosophy
Animal Science Forestry Physics
Anthropology Gender Studies Physiology
Archaeology Genetics Political Science
Architecture Geography Psychology
Area Studies Geology Public Administration
Art History History Public Health
Arts Information Public Policy
Astronomy Sciences/Systems Science
Biology International Relations Social Work
Biomedical Engineering Journalism Sociology
Business Labor/Industrial Relations Technology
Chemistry Language Teaching Telecommunications
Communications Languages Theology/Religion
Computer Science Law Transportation
Criminal Justice Library Sciences Travel/Tourism
Criminology Linguistics Urban Planning
Crop Sciences Literature Urban Studies
Dance Mathematics Veterinary Medicine
Demography Mental Health Zoology
Design Meteorology
Drama/Theater Arts Museum Studies
Economics Music
Education Neuroscience
Energy Nursing
Engineering Nutrition
Environmental Sciences Oceanography
Film/Cinema Studies Paleontology
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EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS

27. List the educational institutions you have attended starting with the most recent. Include any current enrollments with the expected
graduation date.

INSTITUTION AND LOCATION MAJOR FIELD OF DATES ACTUAL NAME OF DEGREE DATE RECEIVED OR
(List in reverse order and STUDY (Month and Year) OR DIPLOMA EXPECTED
write name in full) From To (Do not translate)

.
28. List scholarships or fellowships held at present or in the past (Give source or sponsor, amount, where held, and duration.)

29. List professional societies, fraternities, or other organizations in which you now hold membership or in which you have been active
in the past (Indicate if you have held an elective office.)

30. List any books, articles, and theses that you have published, especially in your proposed field of study (Give title, place and date of publication)

31. Research: (Including any research you have completed or in which you are currently involved.)

32. Indicate any academic honors, awards, and prizes which you have received. Please include the title of the recognition and
the date in which you received it.

33. Teaching experience: (Including any teaching positions you have held or currently hold.)

34. Information about other scholarship applications:

A. Have you applied for, or received any other scholarships in the past from the U.S. government? ☐YES ☐NO
B. If you were not selected for the scholarship, please indicate the year(s) you applied and/or participated:

C. Are planning to apply for a fellowship, scholarship, assistantship or other educational grant or loan from another
organization, government or educational institution? YESO NO

35. Contacts/associates: Do you have any family members or close relations who have received a U.S. Embassy-sponsored scholarship? If so,
please provide the below information for those individuals.
NAME NAME OF U.S. SCHOLARSHIP CURRENT PLACE OF RESIDENCE

RECOMMENDATIONS

36. Three letters of recommendations are required for this Fulbright application. The letters can be from academic professors and
work supervisors: we recommend at least two academic. Letters will not be accepted from relatives or friends of the applicant.

NAME POSITION TITLE PHONE AND E-MAIL ADDRESS

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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

37. CURRENT EMPLOYMENT: If you are currently employed, please list the position title and describe the role you have in your job.
If you are currently unemployed, please write “not applicable.”

A. If you are currently employed by a business or organization, please write the name of that business or organization:
B. What type of organization is it?
Other (please specify)
C. How long have you worked for your current employer?
D. In your current position, do you make policy decisions in your business or organization? (Example: Are you in a
management/executive-level position?) ☐YES ☐ NO

E. In which provinces is your business or organization active? (If the business or organization is active in all provinces,
write “nationwide”, if it is active internationally, write “international”).
F. If you are self-employed, what do you do?
G. If you are unemployed, what is your most recent employer and position?

H. Is there a job in Afghanistan waiting for you after you return from Fulbright? ☐YES ☐NO

38. PAST EMPLOYMENT: How many years of total work experience do you have?
Please list your last five jobs, beginning with your current employment.

NAME AND ADDRESS OF EMPLOYER TITLE/TYPE OF WORK DATES (Month and year)
From To

39. U.S. GOVERNMENT EMPLOYMENT: Employees of U.S. missions abroad who work for the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Agency
for International Development are ineligible for Fulbright grants during and for a period ending one year following the termination of
such employment, association, or service.
A. Do you have a pending employment application with a U.S. government agency? ☐YES ☐NO
B. Do you plan to apply for employment with a U.S. government agency in the next 24 months? ☐YES ☐NO

LEADERSHIP AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

40. Have you ever participated in an exchange program, training, whether domestically or abroad, sponsored by the U. S. government
or the U.S. Embassy in Kabul? If so, which program, and when?

41. Please answer the following questions regarding your involvement in leadership activities:

☐YES ☐NO Have you taken leadership courses or training?

☐YES ☐NO Have you been involved in an action-oriented volunteer group (including student associations, community service
clubs, social activism groups, protest movements, etc.)?
☐YES ☐NO Have you been involved in efforts to lobby local or national government for policy change?
☐YES ☐NO Have you held a position of leadership in an organization (executive director, deputy director, editor-in-chief,
regional/provincial manager, teacher, coach, religious leader, school rector, etc.)?
☐YES ☐NO Have you initiated non-activist social or volunteer group(s) (such as discussion groups, professional associations,
alumni associations, common interest groups, social groups, online forums, etc.)?
☐YES ☐NO Have you founded an action-oriented volunteer group (including student associations, community service clubs, social
activism groups, protest movements, etc.)?
☐YES ☐NO Have you personally lobbied local or national government for policy change?
☐YES ☐NO Have you proposed and implemented reform in any organization?
☐YES ☐NO Have you held public office or run for public office?
☐YES ☐NO Have you founded a business or non-profit organization (created an official institution)?
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☐YES ☐NO Other (Please Explain):

42. Please answer the following questions regarding your involvement in volunteer activities:
☐YES ☐NO Are you a member of a non-profit/volunteer organization in a paid capacity?
☐YES ☐NO Have you ever done volunteer work?
☐YES ☐NO Do you currently and regularly volunteer your time with a non-profit/volunteer organization?
☐YES ☐NO Have you ever founded/started a volunteer or non-profit organization?
☐YES ☐NO Other (Please Explain):

43. Please briefly describe your favourite volunteer activity and the impact it made in your community.

NOTE: Please limit your response to maximum of 100 words to avoid disqualification.

FULBRIGHT U.S. UNIVERSITY PREFERENCES

44. It is not a requirement nor is it expected for you to identify U.S. institutions at which you would like to study. However, if you do have
preferences, please list up to five universities in priority order. Your preferences will be taken into consideration but your admission to your
preferred U.S. universities is not guaranteed. Please indicate the specific departments and/or programs for each of your university
preferences. Please provide a specific reason for each choice (e.g. well-known expertise in field of study, research opportunities, topical focus,
preference for a geographic location, climate, etc.).

If you have been in contact with professors at any of your preferred universities, please provide their contact information. Applying for admission
at a U.S. university is not required at this stage of the Fulbright application process. However, if you have already submitted an application directly
to any university in the United States, please include the names of these institutions below and explain the status of your application. Please
include any letters of admission, letters of invitation, and deferral requests (as applicable) with your Fulbright application package.

Specific Reasons for preference Faculty member contact (if any). If you have applied, provide the (a)
Name of U.S.
Name of U.S. Department/ Provide his/ her (a) name and (b) application submission date and (b)
University Program e-mail address current application status or response

OTHER PERSONAL CONSIDERATIONS

45. Medical, physical, dietary, or other personal considerations: Please state whether you (a) have any existing medical conditions, (b)
are currently taking any prescription medication, (c) have special dietary concerns, or (d) have any personal considerations of which
you would like the Fulbright placement administrators to be aware. This will not affect candidate selection, but will enable the host
institution to make any necessary accommodations.
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NARRATIVE 1: STUDY OBJECTIVES AND FUTURE PLANS

46. Write a clear and detailed description of your study objectives and give your reasons for wanting to pursue them. Be specific
about your major field of study and your specialized interests within this field. Describe the kind of program you expect to undertake
and explain how your study plan fits in with your previous training (include number of years of experience in the relevant field of
study) and your future objectives (i.e. career plans). This statement is an essential part of your application. Do not mention specific U.S.
universities at which you would like to study.
NOTE: Please limit your response to maximum of 250 words to avoid disqualification.
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NARRATIVE 2: PERSONAL STATEMENT

47. Write a clear narrative that explains how you have attained your achievements so far and describes your future goals. Please
include information about your education, practical experience, special interests, and career objectives. But it should not be a mere
listing of facts. Describe any significant factors that have influenced your educational, professional, and leadership development. This
statement is an essential part of your application. Do not mention specific U.S. universities at which you would like to study.
NOTE: Please limit your response to maximum of 250 words to avoid disqualification.
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FAMILY MEMBERS

48. Please provide the following information about your family members. If you are not in contact with certain members of your family,
please at least include their name and the country where they currently live. If you do not include sufficient details in your application, you may be
asked to provide additional information later, which can affect your candidacy for a Fulbright award. This information will be used to ensure that
you are eligible to receive a Fulbright award and that no family members of a candidate are involved in the selection process.

FULL NAME AGE OCCUPATION AND EMPLOYER PLACE OF RESIDENCE

Spouse
Fiancé/Fiancée
enter
Children text.
enter
Father text.
enter
text.
Mother enter
text.
Sisters enter
text.
Brothers enter
text.
Uncles enter
text.
Aunts enter
text.
First cousins enter
text.
Step parents enter
text.
Step siblings enter
text.
Half-siblings enter
text.
enter
text.
49. How many dependents do you financially support in Afghanistan?

FULBRIGHT RECRUITMENT FEEDBACK

50. How did you learn about the Fulbright program? (Please check all that apply.)
☐ Friend or relative
☐ Previous Fulbright participant
☐ U.S. Embassy Kabul Website
☐ Poster/Flyer
☐ Other Internet Link
☐ University
☐ Newspaper
☐ Other Publication (Specify)

51. How can we improve our Fulbright candidate recruitment efforts in Afghanistan?

APPLICATION ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND CERTIFICATION

☐ By checking this box, I certify that all of the information provided in my application and questionnaire is true and complete, and that any
untrue statements during the application process may ban me from this U.S. government program and will be forever make me ineligible to
participate in any other U.S. Embassy-sponsored program in Afghanistan. I also understand that if I have committed fraud or
misrepresentation on this application, the U.S. Embassy may inform other scholarship-granting organizations that I have committed fraud. I
understand that my candidacy for this program may be terminated at any time if it is found that I have lied during the application
process or in my correspondence with the U.S. Embassy.