klevine

@ Itsax, thanks for the advice! I do have a Fulbright Advisor - tells you how long it's been since applications, I totally forgot our university had one even though we met twice. @ rockermaster, hey! Tá sé go deas bualadh leat! What are you applying for!? My current affiliation is Limerick (study/research), but I'll need to change it to Dublin given the topic change. Hopefully the Fulbright Commission is understanding of the situation in the rare case I get it. The govt. is commissioning tons of research on the topic I've switched to, which is increasingly becoming a state research priority since the recession (i.e. part of the reason why I am doing a topic switch for dissertation research). As far as affiliation, I've done independent research in the country 3 times, so I feel like I can probably just reach out to some people and attain a new affiliation if necessary. <<< this is me expressing nervousness rather than confidence, btw haha

@ RosyPosy68 (when I press reply, it seems to add it to the bottom of the post forum rather than the specific convo ) I understand why it might seem iffy, and that could be the case. I'm certainly hoping it isn't! And you're right, it probably varies by country. I'm applying for Ireland. I also think it's a more complex set of considerations than "this isn't what you applied for." It's very common for researchers in the social sciences (anthropology, sociology, etc.) to change their topic due to unforeseen issues of access, or simply because they find that another topic is more pressing/important. And, as far as I understand it, the Fulbright Commission is not only investing in the topic, but the "Fulbrighter" him/herself as a sort of "cultural ambassador," which is why there is a personal statement and not just a grant proposal. I guess I could also just work on attaining a new affiliation while I wait

I'd be going from researching issues of arts + regional identity to researching changes in arts policy. Both topics would maintain a focus on arts, but the new focus would more or less require me to change my institutional affiliation from one city to another.

Does anyone know if it becomes an issue if you apply for the Fulbright IIE with a grant proposal implying one topic, and by the time you receive an acceptance, you have a different (more viable) topic that you want to pursue with the support? I'm assuming the Fulbright understands that when people apply for funding like half a year before they receive notifications, and 9 months before they actually plan to do their fieldwork...topics can change. A lot of grant programs have a reporting protocol in place for just this sort of thing, and I'm not sure how (or if) the Fulbright IIE deals with this. Like, are you supposed to report changes in topic before you accept?