Taken from the Fulbright Applicant Newsletter, Issue 3, August 2006
Developing a Project
By Valerie Hymas & Jermaine Jones
Developing a strong, feasible and compelling project proposal is the most important aspect of a successful Fulbright application. Your first step should be to familiarize yourself with the program summary for the country to which you wish to apply. The program design varies somewhat from country to country (i.e., some countries encourage applicants to incorporate coursework into a project, while others prefer independent research.). Please ensure that your project design fits under the program guidelines for your host country.
It is essential that applicants have adequate formal training for the study that they wish to pursue and that their language skills be commensurate with the requirements of the project.
Is the Project Feasible?
You must demonstrate that your project and your research strategy are feasible, including its time frame. In determining this you can ask yourself the following questions:
In other words, if there could be any question regarding the feasibility of your project or your background or ability to conduct the project, address the issue directly. Enrolled students are urged to consult professors in their major fields and their Fulbright Program Advisers about the feasibility of their proposed projects. At-large applicants should consult qualified persons in their fields.
Master's Degree Programs
Candidates considering earning a Master's degree must make sure that the country to which they are applying will accept such a project. Some countries do not recommend that applicants apply to do a degree program for a number of reasons. One may be because it is not possible to complete a Master's degree in one academic year. Another can be because the tuition fees that a Master's degree candidate would be charged would not be covered by the Fulbright grant. Applicants should review the country summaries to determine if there are any restrictions to applying to complete a degree program. If you apply for a degree program to a country that does not offer tuition as part of the Fulbright funding package, then these costs must be covered from an alternative source.
If your plan is to complete a Master's or other structured degree program, make sure that you apply for admission to the host university by their deadline. Do not wait for the Fulbright decision to come through or you may be too late to gain admission to your preferred university.
A Brief Note on Host Affiliation
If you are applying for admission into a study/Master's program it is not necessary (although it is desirable) to submit the letter of admission with the application. You can submit the acceptance letter whenever you receive it, but an award offer would be contingent upon you receiving placement at a university. However, if you are not planning to matriculate at a university, then a support/affiliation letter should be included with your application. Any documentation of support that you can obtain from a potential host will help to make your application more competitive. The letter will also demonstrate that your project proposal is feasible, as it will show that you have in-country support.
Teaching Assistantship Applications
Students applying for teaching assistant positions are not expected to present extensive research plans. Rather, you should describe for the reviewers:
1.Why would you like to undertake a teaching assistant assignment.
2. What your qualifications are and what experiences you have had which relate to the overseas assignment.
3. How you expect to benefit from the assignment and what use you will make of the experience upon your return to the U.S.
4. What use you will make of your time outside the classroom. (Most TAs work no more than 20 hours per week.)
Writing the Project Proposal
The best project proposals begin with good ideas. Start by putting your ideas on paper, and list the goals and objectives of your project. Share your ideas with your Fulbright Program Adviser, your academic adviser and professional colleagues in your field. As you work on your project, consider the following questions and remember your audience. Avoid discipline-specific jargon. The individuals reading your proposal prefer you get to the point about the "who, what, when, where, why and how" of the project. In a direct and persuasive manner address the following:
1.With whom do you propose to work?
2.What do you propose to do? What is exciting, new or unique about your project? What contribution will the project make to the Fulbright objective of promoting cross-cultural interaction and mutual understanding?
3.When will you carry out your study or research? Include a timeline.
4.Where do you propose to conduct your study or research? Why is it important to go abroad to carry out your project?
5.Why do you want to do it? What is important or significant about the project?
6.How will you carry out your work? All students should discuss methodology and goals in their statements. How will it help further your academic or professional development?
7.What will be the outcome of your study/research?
A Bibliography
Since applicant's Statements cannot exceed two single-spaced pages, a formal bibliography is not necessary; however, if background data is provided it is appropriate to briefly cite sources, within the two pages.
Project Category for Applications in the Arts
Almost all creative/performing arts projects involve some kind of study or research as well as practical training. Therefore, you need to decide what the primary focus of your project is--academic research or a practical training in the arts. Keep in mind that creative/performing artists must also submit supplementary materials in addition to the written application. Therefore, if you do not feel that your work to date in the arts is of the best quality you may want to apply using an academic field of study to have your application reviewed in the best light possible.
Multi-Country Projects
A multi-country project is one project which must be carried out in more than one country. All countries must be within the same geographic world area. Applicants submitting multi-country proposals must have a very good justification for putting forward such a project. Keep in mind that you are doubling or tripling the work involved with securing host institution affiliation not to mention obtaining visas and finding housing, etc. Also, multi-country proposals that are recommended by screening committees must be approved by each of the relevant host countries before they can be granted. If one country says no then your project may no longer be feasible. Generally, you will be given the option to revise the proposal for the remaining countries that approve of your original project.
A Final Word...
Organize your statement carefully. Don't make reviewers search for information. We urge you to develop a lead paragraph with all of the salient details--the who, what, when, where, why and how--and to have several people read and critique your Statement including a faculty adviser, a faculty member outside your discipline, a fellow student, and/or a colleague. It would be ideal to have a host country academic/artist review your proposal for refinement and issues of host country sensitivity/security/feasibility.
