Appointment of Irish Members to Ireland – US Commission on Educational Exchange: Request for Expressions of Interest

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade is now seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified people for appointment to the Board of the Ireland – US Commission on Educational Exchange (‘Fulbright Commission’).

The Fulbright Programme was established in 1957 is the only official educational exchange programme between the Governments of Ireland and the United States. 

The Board has four Irish members and four from the United States, appointed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ireland and by the US Ambassador respectively.  

The Board has responsibility for ensuring the proper functioning and strategic development of the Programme, approving budgets, as well as approving the number of, and the level of funding for, the annual Irish and US scholarship awards.

Under the terms of the 1991 Educational Exchange (Ireland and the USA) Act, the persons appointed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs must be Irish citizens.  The appointments will be for a two-year term.  Members will serve on a part-time basis and do not receive remuneration.  Expenses associated with attendance at Board meetings will be paid. 

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade will not be restricted to considering only those who have responded to this invitation but will ensure that all of those appointed have the relevant qualifications for the positions.

Further information on the work of the Commission is available at www.fulbright.ie.

Persons interested in being considered for appointment as a Board Member should register their interest  here  by noon on 8 February 2013.