Summary
The Fulbright Interdisciplinary Network (FIN) comprises five Brazilian universities countrywide, each spearheading research and activities according to their interests, current focus, and expertise. The current five participating universities are Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA), Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA) and Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC).
A significant highlight of this initiative is the integration with the Fulbright Distinguished Scholar Awards. It provides a grant to prominent U.S. scholars to come to Brazil for three to four months to conduct research, work collaboratively with Brazilian colleagues, guest-lecture, mentor students and promote their research while being culture ambassadors.
Objectives
The Fulbright Interdisciplinary Network main objectives are to foster U.S. Studies in Brazil as an educational core in the academia and research institutes, to promote a dialogue about U.S.-related topics within Brazilian society, and to disseminate U.S.-related issues to a larger audience in Brazil.
Additional objectives are:
- To forge collaborations between U.S. and Brazilian universities to support joint research;
- To promote innovative partnerships expanding bilateral education ties; and
- To strengthen and broader longer-term U.S.-Brazil institutional linkages.
Expected outcomes
The operational framework being developed to meet the objectives includes but is not limited to: webinars; online round-table discussions; podcast series; U.S. studies conferences; academic publications; and new U.S.-specific courses in the five participating universities. There already is a bulk of material available online at FIN’s website and other platforms:
Sponsors
FIN is sponsored by the Fulbright Commission in Brazil and the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia.
