funkmastalex

Thanks so much to all those who congratulated me. Definitely worth the excruciating wait. To those not selected or alternates, things happen for a reason, keep shooting for the stars. I've been rejected from so many things that it's not even funny - it has really help me focus on what I want and how to realistically get there. Good luck to the rest!

Full grant to Russia, too!!!! Oh my god!!! Eni, I got it!!!

Yeah, I know, tell me about it. I was originally told they were hoping get the word out in mid-March but got a status update from IIE a few weeks ago.

Mid-April is the latest word, unless anyone has asked in the past 3 weeks. Could be this week, could be next.

Russia applicant here. I think you will find, like in any country, that you will come across these four categories of people - dumb assholes, smart assholes, dumb saints, and smart saints. Either way, over 99% of them have no control over what the government/regime does or supports, so I would stray away from political discourse until you're sure about a person's category. That way, at least, you'll know what/whom you're dealing with. As far as surveillance goes, I say watch what you say just like you would watch what you download. Be careful, but there is no reason to be paranoid.

In France, there's a drink called the TGV, named after the express train. It's an acronym for Tequila, Gin, and Vodka. Good cocktail? No. Does it get you there fast? Yes.

Done, done, and done.

Okay, phew. Thanks.

Is this a different category of applicants? If this is who I'm competing against, I need to start moving on with my life.

Hi, no, I don't know whether it applies to ETAs as well. I applied for a full research grant, but I asked whether this affected the number of slots in each type of grant. I'll let you know if/when I hear back. It wasn't sent out to everyone, but I asked and got a timely reply. As of right now, the dates she mentioned are in line with previous years, according to the notification spreadsheet, so it's not like there has been a big, official change.

Message from Eileen (IIE, Russia): Unfortunately we do not have a definitive timeline and the current sequestration may delay things somewhat. I would be hopeful that we may be in a position to notify applicants by mid-April but I am not in a position to give a definitive date. If we have any update on this in the coming weeks, I will let you know. Congrats and best wishes to the rest! EDIT: Not going to lie, that message scared the crap out of me when I first read the word "Unfortunately" in the beginning of my e-mail.

You're right - they probably aren't the ones making the final selections. I said I was mostly curious from an administrative standpoint - whether to expect the same basic timeline as last year, or whether to expect an earlier or later date. Generally, that type of information is based on experience, and the response is up to the discretion of the program manager. Personally, I receive calls and e-mails like the one I sent everyday, and I understand the curiosity and wanting to put the mind at ease, if only for a week or two. I try to give them as best an answer as I can (a time of the month to start looking out for an e-mail, give or take a week). On another note, I would like to congratulate those who have been accepted and wish the best of luck to the rest (alternates, those not accepted, as well as those still waiting to hear)!

Eileen O'Malley is also out of the office through the end of the week.

Me too.

Nah, mine was conducted by the primary program officer who has been working there since 2005.

Although I am waiting to hear about a teacher exchange, everything else in the process (including checking this board and my email 75x per day) has been very similar to what you all are going through. I'm supposed to hear in "Early April" if I've been matched in the UK. This is what I got from IIE regarding the sequester: "As you are aware, several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of State, are still awaiting important funding decisions. Regardless of these final decisions, the selection and matching process for the Fulbright Classroom Teacher Exchange Program is still underway." I have been lurking since early last week (Fulbright Russia, research applicant). I was originally told during my interview in early February that the internal deadline was March 1st, and that I should hear back in mid to late March, even though historically the announcements for Russia have been in early April. I currently work on a similar program for another USG agency. While I took the information provided by Fulbright Russia to heart, I know first-hand that things can change quickly in the current budgetary climate. From what I am reading in the direct quotes from reps at the IIE, it seems these somewhat canned responses are, in fact, an indication that the programs are being affected this year. If you read between the lines, the fact that they're even mentioning the funding issues means to me that it really is an issue. The generic second sentence/part is so obvious that it's trivial. It's important to ask what "small cuts," "important funding decisions," and "majority of awards" really mean, as well as how they're planning on dealing with them. I don't imagine we'll get an answer to those questions right now. That's where the awkwardness and limbo kick in. Should we freak out? Yes, because that's always the right decision. Prepare for the worst; hope for the best.