1. Fulbright US Student Program
Study/Research Grants
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2. What is the Fulbright Program?
In brief: The Fulbright Program was designed for the “promotion of international good will through the exchange of students in the fields of education, culture, and science” – Senator J. William Fulbright

3. Notable Alumni: Philip Glass Joseph Stiglitz
96 Pulitzer Prize Winners
(Fulbright in one form or another)
53 Nobel Peace Prize Winners

4. 2200 grants to international students
…So what does that mean?
2200 grants to international students
1900 grants to US Students

5. To the website!
us.fulbrightonline.org

6. Study/Research: 9 to 11 month grant (varies by country)
Provides funding to pursue independent or collaborative research project
~140 countries currently accepting proposals

7. The Application:
The main components you will be responsible for producing are:
2 page Statement of Grant Purpose
1 page Personal Statement
Embark Online Application
Includes Language Self-Evaluation

8. Research: Topics are entirely self-selected
For lab sciences, it’s absolutely possible to plug into an existing project
Requires “Letter of Affiliation”
Huge variation in composition of projects:
Humanities
Arts
Social Sciences
Biological/Physical Sciences

9. Letter of Affiliation:
Please see handout for additional information
It’s possible to incorporate multiple letters of affiliation, depending on the scope and/or requirements of your proposal.
Affiliation Panel tomorrow! 12pm in HM 284

10. Successful Components:
Brief Abstract
Background Information
Research Plan
Feasibility/Timeline
Significance

11. Study: Pursue coursework or a degree through a “Partner Award”
Typically do not require Letter of Affiliation
Though, if you have one, they will absolutely read it
Partner Awards are uncommonly competitive
The UK fields ~1,000 applications for <50 awards

12. Successful Study Components:
Background Information
Course of Study
Feasibility/Qualifications
Trajectory
Cultural Engagement

14. The Application: Additional Requirements: 3 Letters of Recommendation
Standard 1.5/2 page letters for Study/Research
Letter of Affiliation:
Research required
Study highly encouraged
Language Evaluation Form (if necessary)

15. Letter of Recommendation:
Carry a great deal of weight.
Will speak to your capacity to successfully complete the proposed project.
It will be hugely beneficial for your letter of recommendation writers to have access to your Statement of Grant Purpose
It’s useful to start discussing your topic with potential letter of recommendation writers as soon as possible.

16. The Timeline: April 3; Fulbright “Primer”:
Breaks SoGP into component building blocks
Brainstorming activity – non-binding
June 1; first “draft” of Embark Online Application
July 11; rough drafts of essays
A good time to formally ask for Letters of Recommendation
August 29; Campus Interview Deadline
October 1; Final Campus Deadline

17. The Timeline (after Submission):
November/December: National Screening Committee
Mostly college professors/PhDs who have regional familiarity with the country you are applying to
NOT discipline specific (excluding Arts)
Forward 1.5 to 2 times the number of applications as there are grants to be awarded
For example: (us.fulbrightonline.org/statistics)

18. The Timeline (after Submission):
January 2018; first round notifications
March through April 2018; Host Country Selection
~August 2018; grant begins
March 2019 for some countries in Western Hemisphere

19. Crafting a Competitive Application:
It takes time.
It takes great letters of recommendation.
It takes a strong letter of Affiliation.
It will not expound on a love of culture or an uncritical appreciation of the Fulbright mission.

20. Final Thoughts: Value of “the Process”
UChicago has a strong history of producing outstanding Fulbright Grantees:
Top Producing List