12 CU-Boulder Students Qualify for 2013-14 Fulbright Grant

Twelve students from the Colorado University (CU) Boulder have received Fulbright grants to pursue teaching, research and graduate studies abroad during the 2013-14 academic year.

This is the first time in the university's history that such a large group of CU-Boulder students have been offered Fulbright scholarships.

"The Fulbright program was founded to increase mutual understanding and enhance cross-cultural relations," said Larry Bell, executive director of CU-Boulder's Office of International Education. "This year's group will continue the outstanding tradition of CU-Boulder students fostering international development as fine representatives of our campus, state and country among communities across the globe."

Fulbright grants are conferred on individuals based on their academic and professional achievements and demonstration of leadership qualities in their respective fields.

Currently, in its 67^th year, the grant is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. It is executed in more than 155 countries and awards around 8,000 grants annually to U.S. students, scholars, foreign students, visiting scholars, teachers and professionals.

Overall, 141 CU-Boulder students have earned Fulbright grants since 1978.

During their stay in foreign countries, the selected students will be working on their respective research proposals, which include studying robotic colonoscopy equipment to determining the accuracy of wind measurements near wind turbines; research on the transformation of Himalayan glacial lakes; tourism between China and Taiwan after decades of turmoil; clean energy development in Chile and finding out whether the Royle's pika in India is a climate change indicator.

On the other hand, three of the students have been awarded grants to teach English through the Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship program.

Meanwhile, five CU-Boulder students have been selected as alternate candidates and will be offered grants in case of withdrawals or if additional funds are made available.