Sjay06

I applied for the 2011-2012 cycle and did not even get selected as a finalist, and this year received the full grant. During the year, I wrote other grant applications as well and did more background reading so my project changed dramatically, so my 2012-2013 was a completely new proposal. I also switched the country I was applying for (which I understand not many people can do) but since my project has a transnational focus I was able to do that. The best feedback I got were from the two professors that interviewed me at my university the first time around. They told me what worked in my first application, and what needed work. Additionally, what i think made my application stronger the second time around was I made personal contact with my host institution(s) (i had two the second time around instead of one) and they wrote me very personal letters of affiliation, which I think made a big difference. I first made contact in July, and asked them for letters at the end of August, so they really knew me and my project by the time they were writing in support of my application. I also started the application in June and had numerous people read it and tweak it before the September deadline. The first year, I must admit, was much more rushed. I hope this helps!!!

I was very nervous about my transcripts arriving, so I emailed Jermaine in February and asked if he can check. He said that they don't check for individual candidates because that would be impossible, however, when it came time to making decisions, if they were missing, I would receive an email. So no news, probably means they have your transcripts.

thanks! I am sorry you were rejected! I was rejected last year and retweeked my project for this year, so there is always next year!!!

Many times you just can't walk into archives and just start researching. You have to write to the head of the libraries or whoever holds that office in the state and formally ask for clearance. Some countries even have special "cultural" or "research" visas, it just depends where you are going. It is usually not too hard, and with fulbright next to your name, they will be expecting you, so you won't be denied. It is just busy work.

Received email confirmation at 4:46pm (11:46 est) from Jermaine Jones and Theresa Graza that my "informal notification of acceptance" is now indeed a formal one. Full grant to Israel!!! Anyone else?????

Judy's email is @fulbright.org.il, so she is definitely not with Hebrew U. Hebrew U is the insitution I will be affiliated with while there. I am a grad student that applied for iie in order to do dissertation research next year. What did you apply for? What is your topic? I have not heard of anyone else from Israel nor any other country who received a letter of "information notificaiton". I posted party to see who else was out there applying for Israel, but also to see if anyone else (planning to go to Israel or any other country) received the same type of email. With everyone recieving formal acceptances, the informal one, while of course wonderful, is making me a bit worried. Good luck once again to all!!! I keep thinking, I don't know how people waited for these fulbright decisions before the internet and forums like these.

Hey everyone, Long time lurker, first time poster. I received an email on 3/22 from Judy Starvsky, which she called "a preliminary informal notification" that I had been awarded a full fulbright fellowship to Israel through Hebrew University next year. She also indicated that someone would be contacting me in the near future with the medical information, pre-departure orientation as well as the full details of the package. I have not heard anything yet. I have yet to hear about anyone else who applied for Israel or for the entire Middle East region recieve any sort of confirmation, so I wanted to keep everyone updated/see who else has recieved the same sort of email. Congratulations to everyone who has heard and good luck to those still waiting!