Sally
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Posts posted by Sally
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Re: FSB approval
Here is a Fulbright newsletter from 2005 that clearly explains the selection process:
http://newsletter.fu...ine.org/31.html
I think I am finally understanding it correctly. The foreign country will make the final nominations and the FSB has to make final approval of those nominations. At the same time, the Department of State determines final funding levels.
That is the same article that I posted a link to yesterday! I actually think this other link is better because it's the only article on the page:
http://newsletter.fu...0D93354358.html
Anyway, I did not find it to be so clear. This is the line that really confused me:
"Individual country decisions and FSB approval are sent to IIE separately so final selections can be received anytime between the beginning of March to the end of May. "
It sounds like Individual countries send their decisions to IIE. And then, seperately, the FSB sends its decisions to IIE.
But isn't the FSB approval dependant on the individual country's decisions?! Or does IIE decide who to send letters to based on who has been approved by both entities?
I'm not clear on that.
Also I had posted a link to the FSB's past meeting schedule. And it shows that they only meet every three months. How is that possible? Do they some how approve students without holding meetings? maybe they have committee meetings, and the entire group doesn't need to meet. That is also not clear to me.
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I'm not so sure it's a bottleneck. My program manager told me that my country hadn't made decisions yet. It could be that the country itself is slowly going through applications. And Egypt last year didn't let it's candidates know until May/June but that wasn't FSB's fault. (as far as I know)
jtb is referring to Sweden's situation: "I emailed Rachel and she informed me they're still waiting for FSB approval, which should come in the next 2 weeks. Once that happens, letters will be issued immediately."
According to the board's web site, it only physically meets "quarterly". One of the meeting appears to usually be in March. Maybe that meeting hasn't happened yet.
According to this description (from 2005) it appears that the FSB decisions are completely separate from the foreign committee's.
So, some of us may have been approved by FSB at their last meeting way back in November? I don't know; maybe I am understanding it all wrong. It's very confusing...
Here's the FSB's meeting schedule:
It's also possible that they somehow approve candidates without having an actual meeting..
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Thank you so much!
Would that application process in the US be confirming what the host country wants or reviewing the entire applicant pool again? I apologize if these questions have been answered elsewhere... this whole process confuses me.
I believe that, like most federal boards, their job is to rubber stamp things
I think once you get chosen by the foreign Fulbright Committee you're as good as in, it's just a matter of waiting until the next meeting of this board in order to get final approval.
Of course there is no way to know what the foreign Fulbright Committee decides, anyway, so this is all kind of mute!
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Question...
What is the FSB? Is this in the US?
Sidewalkchalk,
Let me Google that for you...
http://fulbright.state.gov/root/resources-for/fsb
The J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board was established by Congress for the purpose of supervising the Fulbright Program and certain programs authorized by the Fulbright-Hays Act and for the purpose of selecting students, scholars, teachers, trainees, and other persons to participate in the educational exchange programs.
Appointed by the President of the United States, the 12-member Board meets quarterly in Washington, D.C. The Board establishes worldwide policies and procedures for the Program and issues an annual report on the state of the Program. The Board maintains a close relationship with both the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and the executive directors of all the binational Fulbright Commissions.
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Anyway, to answer your question more directly, I think that after the foreign commissions make their decisions, those are then formally approved by the FSB back here in the US.
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Yeah. MAJOR bummer.
GauxGaux, did you apply to the Spanish auxilary program as well? http://www.educacion.es/exterior/usa/en/programs/us_assistants/default.shtml
My boyfriend applied to that program, and is hoping to get placed in Madrid, which is where I would be with the Fulbright.
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For all those who have applied to Spain, I received this email from Rachel Holskin this morning regarding the date of our notification:
"As of this point, we haven’t yet received the selections from the Commission in Spain, nor do we have the FSB approval for the recommended candidates. Based on this, my estimate would be mid-late April."
So, it's looking like our notification date will no longer be April 1st
hmm, maybe "April 1" is the just the date that the Spanish Commision expects to decide by. It was unclear on the Web site.
That is a bummer.
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Hi all,
Two questions:
1) where have you all learned the stipend amounts? From letters or a webpage?
2) I find it curious that the full grant would be less than the ETA stipend, since the full grants also often support grad students doing research etc., generally a bit further along in their academic careers - any thoughts on why this might be, or whether it seems to hold for other countries/years?
I got the Spain information from the Spanish Fulbright Commission's Web site: Fulbright.es
I have no idea why ETAs would get a higher stipend. It could be a special situation in Spain. The country has its own ETA program run by the Spanish government: http://www.educacion...s/default.shtml
I think the Fulbright ETAs for Spain take part in the same program. So, it could be that the Spanish Fulbright ETAs receive part of the stipend through Fulbright, and part through the government program... which would allow them to be paid more. That is my guess, anyway.
Non-Fulbright ETAs (known as "language assistants" or "auxilaries") in Spain get paid between 700 and 1000 euros depending on the cost of living in the area they are placed in. (They also don't get the travel and tuition benefits that Fulbrighters do.)
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My friend who did a Fulbright in Spain actually used her monthly stipend to support both herself and her significant other. He wasn't her fiancee then or her husband, so he wasn't counted as a dependent. If two people can do it - certainly one can.
True. Although, isn't cost of living a bit less in Spain than in Germany?
The stipend for full grant recipients in Spain is 1345 euros per month. For ETA's its 1541.
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Hi French Fry,
I called Rachel Holskin, US Fulbright Program Manager for France on Wednesday. She said that letters were going out that day (this past Wednesday!). I mentioned that I applied for the full grant -- so at the very least, letters for the full research grant to France went out on Wednesday.
Hope this is helpful to you!
Wow!!!!!!! Has anyone asked about Spain?! Similar to France, the Spanish commission says on its Web site that it expected decisions to be made "by" April 1st. But everyone else has been hearing so early, that maybe... just maybe all of Europe is ahead of schedule? I can only hope!
Someone should just e-mail/call Rachel Hoskins asking for all the updates she has about Europe and then we could just post them here
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Edit: Antonio, I just saw your update on the spreadsheet. It said:
"Spoke to Rachel, Andorra's funding is tied to Spain's funding so we wont hear anything until Spain makes a decision about their students. It's currently looking like mid-april for a decision."
Does Mid-April go for Spain as well? Or was your impression that Spain will be before Andorra?
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Hilarious instructions Sally hilarious! Definitely needed though - thanks.
P.S. - I was one of those MAC users, didn't know it showed up differently on PCs. Now I do.
Hilarious? It was supposed to be serious and intimidating!! (Probably because I forgot to say "OR ELSE!!!")
Anyway, another curious things about Macs and the spreadsheet is that the colors look totally different (and more subdued) on Mac. So it could be Mac users who keep choosing the flourescent colors, becuase they look a lot less bright on their screens...
I learned these things because I have a Mac at home, but a PC at work.. and I check the spreadsheet like at least 6 times a day ... !
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Guys, could you stop messing with the color and the formatting on the spreadsheet?! I've been trying to keep it consistent and other people keep changing what I do!
If you do change things.. these are my requests:
1. Don't use fluorescent colors unless you're highlighting something that needs special attention. It's blinding and unnecessary.
2. Don't make the word "rejected" fire engine red, and "accepted" bright green. Can't we be more subtle? Have some compassion!
3. Don't make the columns wider. I'm talking to you Mac users. I know it shows up much differently when you're using Safari or Firefox. But, for those of us as work using Internet Explorer 7, keep the columns as narrow as possible, please!! Otherwise I -- I mean we -- have to scroll right a whole lot and it's tedious.
4. Don't color code new categories. We've got enough colors to deal with.
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Ok that's it. However DO feel free to add new categories that you think would be especially useful (postmark date, and "which address" were both good additions).
Anyway, if you really want to change something fundamental that would be tedious for someone to change back... e-mail me first : sallyatiemadrid@gmail.com
Also, note that there's a chat function on the spreadsheet, and you can talk to others who are viewing at the same time. I might actually be online the same time as you are, so you can just go in the chat and mention your proposed change before you make it. Or you can run it by whoever else is in there and they can at least give you an opinion on your potentially garish color choices
Thank you!
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Hi everyone. Just a question: have any of you felt like you've gotten a bad attitude from a regional program manager this year? By all accounts, last year they were just as vague, but also somewhat sympathetic. However, yesterday I emailed the relevant regional manager to ask whether the applications were in Nepal or in Washington, and she replied with an email that I didn't understand and seemed a little condescending. The gist of it was that the process was "twofold" and no notifications went out until both approvals were received.
I did not understand that by "twofold" she meant that applications are sent out to the country commissions and to the FSB in Washington, D.C. at the same time in January. When I emailed back for clarification, she got defensive, telling me her answer had been "perfectly acceptable." I feel a little stupid for not understanding what she meant immediately.
However, it is really unnerving to feel like just asking a simple question is antagonizing someone who is an important liaison. I'm even feeling a little down in the dumps and wishing I hadn't asked in the first place, which strikes me as an unfair feeling.
Has anyone else had any worries like this?
I did feel like my regional program manager was kind of short with me when I was asking her questions before I submitted my application. She just kept referring me to published information, and was not really very helpful.
I think these people are probably overwhelmed and annoyed with the barage of redudant questions they are getting. If someone snapped at you, I doubt its anything personal. Even if it is, I'm pretty sure these program managers don't have any say in who does and doesn't get a grant. Plus, at worst, you're on the same playing field as scores of other people who have asked their program managers seemingly stupid questions.
I think these program managers could save themselves a lot of trouble and frustration if they just created a blog where they publicly answered people's questions! That way no one would have to ask the same question twice -- or 27 times!
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To totally change the topic...
Does anyone know who would qualify as a "dependent" for Fulbright purposes? Does dependent mean like on your taxes, where the person depends on you for their income? Or does it mean any family member who is accompanying you? Would a spouse count as a dependent? What if he/she has their own (limited) source of income?
My live-in boyfriend is planning to come to Spain with me if I get the grant. Right now I'm guessing he wouldn't qualify as a dependent, since we're not married. Although, we plan to get married eventually, anyway, so I was wondering whether we'd qualify for any dependent benefits if we did get married before we leave for Spain. I put him down on my application as my "fiance" and filled out the dependent information about him, because I thought it was worth a shot...
Also, I'm not sure if we'd have to be married for a certain amount of time before he'd be recognized by Fulbright? (I know in the Peace Corps., for example, you have to be married for something like 2 years in order to be treated as a couple through the program.)
If anyone has experience with this, let me know! I am curious... although, I was just planning to wait until I find out if I get the grant before asking Fulbright about it...
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Edit: Hmmm I was able to find some information out this on the Fulbright Web site. It says:
"Dependents: A dependent is either a spouse or a relative (child, parent, sibling) who is financially dependent on the grantee. No transportation or insurance is provided for dependents. Applicants who plan to take dependents abroad are required, as a condition of the grant, to submit a statement of their ability to finance transportation and, if necessary, maintenance for them. As indicated in the Individual Country Summaries, a small maintenance allowance is provided for accompanying dependents only in certain countries. The balance of maintenance expenses for dependents is the responsibility of the grantee. (An accompanying dependent is one spending at least 80% of the grant period abroad.)
No allowance is provided for any adult dependent who holds a grant from any source.
Applicants should note that local restrictions make employment opportunities for adult dependents very rare."
Still not totally clear on the marriage issue... I am going to assume that we need to be married but it doesn't matter when we were married.
Also, my boyfriend is applying to an ETA-like program run by the Spanish government: http://www.educacion...s/default.shtml
So, I guess if he gets that it would probably be considered a "grant" , which would make him ineligible for dependent perks...
Hmm.... in my program, if you have a dependent you get an extra $400 stipend per month... in the teaching program my boyfriend would make 1000 euros, or about $1350, per month, and health incurance... but he'd have to work. Still, I think the teaching program makes a little more sense
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Hi all,
I joined the forums after perusing this thread because I just can't taking the waiting anymore, haha.
I'm a finalist for a Full Grant (research) to Ireland - the taught Master's one. I haven't really seen too many people on here from Western Europe besides the Germany people (lucky lucky you all) - any ideas on timing for Ireland?
My second, and perhaps more pressing question, is how exactly they notify us. I got an email telling me that I was a recommended candidate - is it not the same process for the final decisions? I was under the impression that I should be watching my email, but now it seems like I should be watching my mailbox. That said, do I need to tell my parents to keep an eye on my mail at home for me? I'm away at school and now I'm not sure which mailbox the letter would go to...
Help! Before the stress devours me, haha.
bestprtofbelieve -
you should check out the spreadsheet: https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Avu5CeaRG24EdGFXVzh4aUt2ZTFUbTZPdzZiSGRoWUE&hl=en
no, it's not the same as finalist notification. most people have been hearing by snail mail.
also, on the spreasheet you will see there are tons of others applying to western europe, although nobody else to Ireland yet. you should add your stats and be the first!
There is one UK person on the spreadsheet; I think would be going to Wales.
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Hey anon914,
I am totally bummed that you didn't get the Czech Repubic grant! I was rooting for you! But I'm at least glad that the Czechs got back to you in a timely manner. It was nice talking to you on the Google spreadsheet chat!
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so it seems that people have been getting letters to their permanent addresses?
maybe it depends on what date you put down for how long your "current address" will be good for? I definitely remember having to provide a date for that.
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Thanks, jtb01. How did you find out that you were second alternate? I'd like to know where in the alternate pile I stand...
It's such a confusing feeling, because I'm upset that I didn't get the award, but at least I wasn't rejected. Some people are congratulating me and others are commiserating. Hmm. At least I wasn't flat-out rejected, right?
Based on reading last year's forum thread, it seems like it's pretty rare to get off the "alternate" list. Dozens of people said they were named alternates, but only a couple reported back to say they'd made it through. If I had to guess, it seems like maybe 1 in 10, or less, of a chance.
I would probably assume that you're not going to get it at this point. And, if you do, it'll just be a happy, happy surprise.
Any alternates who do manage to get a grant, make sure to note that on the spreadsheet! That way we'll have some statistics for next year's group (and for our own curiosity).
Here's another link to it
https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Avu5CeaRG24EdGFXVzh4aUt2ZTFUbTZPdzZiSGRoWUE&hl=en -
Hey everyone, don't forget to update the spreadsheet when you get your Fulbright final results!
https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=taWW8xiKve1Tm6Ow6bHdhYA&hl=en
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Quick question: Do the grantees always find out through snail mail from the host agency abroad? Does IIE email the grantee in addition?
Last year, hardly anyone got e-mails. It was just snail mail. Although for some the letter came from abroad, others it came from IIE. I think it might depend on whether the country you applied to has its own Fulbright Comission or not.
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I found this when I just googled "sub-Saharan Africa Fulbright." I was trying to see if they had information about when we would hear, as it sounds like the Spanish site has, but instead I found this:
http://fulbright.sta...tion/af-nea-sca which is the schedule for the 2010 orientation. Could be premature, but it might make sense to avoid booking vacations for June 21-24 until we hear either way- which I have heard tends to be quite late...
Great find! Turns out there's information on all of the 2010 orientations! http://fulbright.state.gov/orientation/
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Oh, how I envy you! Don't forget to add your stats to this spreadsheet: https://spreadsheets...Ow6bHdhYA&hl=en#
We're tracking when everyone receives their notifications!
That goes for everyone else, too! Update the spreadsheet when you get a result!
HEY! Who deleted the spreadsheet? I hope it was an accident, otherwise that was pretty mean!
Anyway... no big deal. I saved a copy of it on my hardrive yesterday... it's on my other laptop, though. I will fix it when I have the chance!
But, whoever you are, don't delete it this time! You would just be creating more work for me!
Edit: Nevermind, delete it all you want! I just realized that Google spreadsheets logs the past versions of the spreadsheet every time a different person makes a change. So I can just hit "revert" and it goes back to the way it was before.. Google thinks of everything! Sorry for the false alarm, everyone
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Hello Sally and other Spain finalists,
I just read on the Fulbright Espana website that grantees will be announced by April 1st. It even mentions the exact amount of the award:
ETA: https://www.fulbright.es/book/view/118
Full Grant: https://www.fulbright.es/book/view/95
MBA: https://www.fulbright.es/book/view/97
Hopefully we'll hear back in a few more weeks!
ooo gracias! It says they will "select" fellows by April 1. Hopefully it means they will notify us at the same time!
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Hello Sally and other Spain finalists,
I just read on the Fulbright Espana website that grantees will be announced by April 1st. It even mentions the exact amount of the award:
ETA: https://www.fulbright.es/book/view/118
Full Grant: https://www.fulbright.es/book/view/95
MBA: https://www.fulbright.es/book/view/97
Hopefully we'll hear back in a few more weeks!
ooo gracias! But what does this mean? "Fecha prevista apertura próxima convocatoria:mayo de 2010"
Does it mean they will select by April 1 but won't tell us until May?!
Fulbright 2010-2011
in The Bank
Posted · Edited by Sally
Mfrancais --
As admin of the spreadsheet I can look at the "Revision history" and see the order that changes were made (although i can't see who made them unless they were logged into a google account.) In this case, I can't see who made any of the changes, but I can tell you this order of things:
It looks like you created the "manon" name yesterday.
Then, later the same day, someone created another name called "smanon" directly below yours and imput the info about being accepted. At the same time they change the colors (presumably by mistake), so that your entry is highlighted in grey and green, as if you were accepted but with no additional info imput.
Then, someone went to turn your entry back to white; and then it appears they inadvertantly moved your country name into your "name" feild. So your name changed from "manon" to "France" and your country field was left blank.
Anyway... long story short, it looks like "Smanon" is a different person, who apparently did receive notification about his status for a France ETA position. I am changing your name back to "manon".
Also, here's a link to the spreadsheet for anyone who needs a link and doesn't want to go back several pages: https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Avu5CeaRG24EdGFXVzh4aUt2ZTFUbTZPdzZiSGRoWUE&hl=en