MtvU Fulbright Grants for Studying Abroad

MtvU Fulbright Grants for Studying Abroad is awarding up to four awards that will be available to pursue projects around an aspect of international contemporary or popular music as a cultural force for expression. Preference will be given to creative projects that are conveyed in a dynamic fashion and are accompanied by a feasible plan. In addition to presenting unique projects on music as a global force for mutual understanding, applicants must submit a Documentation and Outreach Plan describing how they intend to share their activities with their peers during their Fulbright year abroad through mtvU print, broadcast and/or online mediums. The Documentation and Outreach Plan form is available must be submitted as part of the Fulbright application.

Applicants are encouraged to consider all aspects of the power of music in developing their proposals. Along with the study of music in a specific cultural context, proposals will be considered in other music-related fields including music and social activism, music in learning, music and the community and musical performance.

Preference will be given to graduating seniors who meet all host country requirements, including those related to language, affiliation and program start dates. Please refer to the Participating Country Summaries for details. Applications for all countries where there is an active U.S. Student Fulbright Program are encouraged. Below are short descriptions of projects which have been funded previously. For more information visit fulbright.mtvu.com.

Public Health, Uganda
A hip-hop therapy project in which youth affected by war and by AIDS in Northern Uganda learn to beatbox, breakdance, compose positive rap songs and create hip-hop beats with local instruments.

Communication, New Zealand
The role of music in perpetuating Maori culture. Two 30-minute rockumentary-style digital videos chronicling two significant Maori music events.

Anthropology, Mexico
Exploration of the Mexican youth renaissance of performing various pre-rock music styles in collaboration with the School of Mexican Music in Mexico City and the danzon and son jarocho circles of Veracruz to document this growing cultural trend.

Anthropology, Mali
The rich tradition of griot musicians, who are considered living embodiments of cultural knowledge. The roles musicians played in the Malian transition to democracy and what roles they play currently.

French and African Studies, France
How socially engaged French rap music and hip-hop culture have addressed the aftermath of the 2005 riots and the 2007 French Presidential election.