Heritage Council and Fulbright announce U.S. cultural heritage scholarship opportunity

The Fulbright-Heritage Council Professional Award will fund an individual to research or lecture at a higher education institution or organisation in the cultural heritage sector in the U.S.

Professionals with at least five years’ post-qualification experience or a PhD/Professional Doctorate in the cultural heritage sector are invited to apply for the Award. This is a unique opportunity in particular for those working in the areas of museum practice, archival practice, digital preservation, traditional skills preservation, material conservation, folklife and oral history.

Successful candidates receive a monetary stipend, travel costs, accident and emergency insurance, visa administration support, cultural and professional programming, and an introduction to a vast and vibrant international professional network.

A full description of the Award conditions and eligibility criteria, as well as the online application which closes on October 31^st 2024 at 4pm, is available on the the Fulbright website

Welcoming the announcement of this new partnership, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council Virginia Teehan said:

"This groundbreaking and strategic partnership with the Fulbright Commission represents a significant step forward as the Heritage Council expands its focus on international collaboration. We anticipate that Irish scholars will bring back invaluable expertise, enriching our understanding of cultural heritage and enabling us in Ireland to learn more about best practices. This initiative is especially important for those working in museum practice, archival practice, digital preservation, traditional skills preservation, material conservation, folklife, and oral history. More research in the cultural heritage sector is essential, and this development is yet another example of our ongoing commitment to advancing research and academia in this field."

Executive Director of the Fulbright Commission in Ireland, Dr Dara FitzGerald, said:

“The Fulbright Commission in Ireland is delighted to collaborate with the Heritage Council on this exciting and innovative partnership. As part of the launch of our 2025-26 Irish Awards, we announce a new Fulbright-Heritage Council Professional Award in the cultural heritage sector. This award offers the opportunity for a heritage professional to engage with colleagues in the United States. I whole-heartedly encourage all those who work or research in the area of cultural heritage, to apply for this landmark opportunity to participate in educational and cultural exchange between the United States and Ireland.”

This is the first year of the partnership between the Heritage Council and the Fulbright Commission and there will be future awards aimed at the natural and built heritage sectors.

Fulbright Awards

The Fulbright Awards provide academic and career opportunities for applicants to study, research, or teach with experts at a U.S. institution or organisation.

The mission of the Fulbright Commission is to strengthen Irish and American partnership, build long-term academic and professional connections, inspire minds, and create a global culture of understanding and solidarity by selecting the best candidates from the island of Ireland to study, research, or teach at top U.S. institutions. Global Fulbright alumni include 62 Nobel Prize recipients, 89 Pulitzer Prize winners, and 41 recipients have served as a head of state or in government.

Fulbright places an emphasis on cultural engagement, collaboration, long-term academic and professional connections, and strong alumni participation. Whilst the awards are open to all disciplines, the Fulbright Commission in Ireland partners with local and international agencies to offer additional awards in the areas of Health, Social Justice, Culture and Heritage, Geoscience, Agri-food, Environmental Protection, Business and Innovation, Law, Cybersecurity, and the Irish language.