Students interested in pursuing graduate work in a foreign country can begin applying for 1993-94 Fulbright Grants May 1.

The purpose of the grants is to help build mutual understanding between people of the U.S. and foreign populations through the exchange of persons and knowledge, said Frank Gruber, acting assistant dean of International and Special Programs.

The grants are funded under the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, which receives financing from various governmental, corporate and private donors, Gruber said.

Out of the 3,333 people who applied nationwide for the 1991-92 competition, 669 received grants, Gruber said.

There were 670 grants available for the 1992-93 competition, and one out of the seven NIU applicants is still in the running to receive a grant, Gruber said.

Gruber said the the J. William Fulbright Scholarship Board awards full academic scholarships and travel grants to eligible applicants.

He said that an individual needs a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent and must be a U.S. citizen to be considered for a grant.

“The student has the choice of which school they wish to use the grant at, but there is less competition if they choose locations in Third World countries, rather than in nations like France of Germany,” Gruber said.

The program enables students to study in certain areas where they have access to special resources and experts that are unavailable elsewhere, Gruber said.

If applicable, full grants provide round-trip international travel, living expenses for the tenure of the award and tuition waivers, he said.

Travel grants will provide the recipient with round-trip international travel to the country of the student’s chosen site for study. All grants include health and accident insurance, Gruber said.

“The board looks at the total academic record of the applicant as well as the uniqueness of the project they wish to study,” he said.