blacktea66

I received word through the point person at my university. I'm not sure when Fulbright notified them, but I only had a few hours to turn around a form accepting my status as a "principal candidate." There was also space on there for alternate candidates to accept or decline. I think when you return those forms, you still have to clear some last-minute technical hurtles, including security approval for in-country work, before they offer the grant to you officially through your university. My guess would be that if you haven't heard back, it's possible that decision on your application will depend how many principals and alternates accept? But then again I think the alternate list is pretty long...sorry I can't offer more insight. The whole process is pretty confusing.

Thanks so much @EkampoThat was my understanding as well, and yes I did get a budget. Maybe just hard to believe until it's fully official. Thanks again.

Got word today too that I'm a principal candidate. Very exciting, but does anyone know how certain it is that this will lead to an official grant offer? I had to fill out an accept form but I think it was just accepting the candidacy status...