Tuesday, January 14th, 2014: New Fulbright TechImpact Awards Announced
Press Release
Fulbright Alumnus and Twitter MD Welcomes €300,000 in
Communications Technology Grants for US-Based Research
Tuesday, January 14th, 2014: The Fulbright Commission in Ireland launched its first-ever call for applications for the new Fulbright TechImpact Awards. These grants are for early career scholars or professionals in all disciplines to explore how technology contributes to a larger social value.
The Fulbright TechImpact Awards are for short-term, non-commercial projects and research in the U.S. for a period of two weeks to three months. Applicants should explore the transformative power of communications technology across all disciplines, but applications in Education, Mobile Technology, and Digital Arts, Humanities, and Culture are particularly encouraged.
Speaking about the new Fulbright TechImpact Awards, Mr. Stephen McIntyre, Managing Director of Twitter in Ireland said, “as a Fulbright alumnus, I am thrilled to see the Fulbright Commission’s commitment to up-skilling future leaders in communications technology. Ireland has become a global hub for technology companies, but to maintain this status as a world leader we must invest in education. The Fulbright TechImpact Awards are an ideal way for people new to their career to explore and expand their horizons in the U.S., to soak up all they can, and bring newfound knowledge, experiences, and contacts back to Ireland.”
Stuart Dwyer, Chargé d’affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Dublin also commented, “we are entering a phase in which cloud computing, big data, and the predicted ‘internet of things’ will make ICT so ubiquitous it will transform every field. We talk now not only about smart phones, but smart cities, smart oceans, smart houses, and smart farms. ICT is challenging our idea of what teachers do, as well as what doctors, lawyers, artists, and, soon, even drivers do. Fulbright TechImpact Awards allow for timely collaboration in fields that are harnessing new abilities to research, analyze, and deploy ICT. It is an exciting addition to the already prestigious Fulbright Program that responds to a real need.”
Ms. Colleen Dube, Executive Director at the Fulbright Commission of Ireland, echoed that sentiment, “we have seen the number of applicants in the communications space surge in recent years. To respond to the growth of this sector globally and to support its development here in Ireland, the Fulbright Commission created the Fulbright TechImpact Awards. These short-term awards reflect the fast pace of ICT activity and reinforce Fulbright’s commitment to cutting-edge research. I look forward to seeing the innovative candidates that come through this process and the evolution of these awards over the next three years.”
The Fulbright TechImpact Awards are open to Irish and E.U. citizens who have been resident in Ireland for three or more years and include a monetary grant, accident and emergency insurance, cultural and professional programming, and visa administration. Applications, which are due by Tuesday, March 4th, 2014, will be fast-tracked to allow successful candidates to commence research in the U.S. as early as Summer 2014.
First round applications for the 2014-2015 period are due online and in hard copy by Tuesday, March 4th, 2014 at 5:00 p.m. Please see www.fulbright.ie for further details.
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Joanne A. Davidson
Communications Manager, Fulbright Commission of Ireland
joanne.davidson@fulbright.ie / 01.230.9801
Note to Editor:
The Fulbright Awards are presented on an annual basis to Irish students, scholars, and professionals to undertake postgraduate study and research at higher education, cultural, and related institutions in the United States and for Americans to do the same in Ireland. For more information please see www.fulbright.ie.