Fulbright-Hays DDRA 2010-2011

[spinnergal]

::jaw drop::

I had to read that three times to make sure it said what I thought it said. This sucks so hard.

[upintheair]

I was really unsure if I'd get it or not, but I didn't think that the whole thing would be axed! Why'd they take so long to do it? Why send out all those emails about how they hope to make notifications soon?

[LisaRog]

depressed.

[Teej T]

Alternate for Fulbright IIE, was kinda counting on this one. Devastated, really.

[LandofRain]

http://www2.ed.gov/p.../applicant.html

D.A.M.N.

[AlanRoe]

Complete disbelief. I am not doing any hard math here but it seems that the total funding of this program would amount to the tax breaks of one person from among the wealthiest in our society that have been extended from the Bush years. No wait, probably only a fraction of the tax breaks for some. Where are our priorities?

[jenali]

Complete disbelief. I am not doing any hard math here but it seems that the total funding of this program would amount to the tax breaks of one person from among the wealthiest in our society that have been extended from the Bush years. No wait, probably only a fraction of the tax breaks for some. Where are our priorities?

I think it's pretty clear: our priorities involve blowing up people in other countries, not trying to understand and get along with them.

[AlanRoe]

Does anyone know of precedents for private foundations coming in and saving federal grant programs that have been cut. Anyone have contacts with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation?

[jenali]

Just out of curiosity, has anyone gotten a notification from a coordinator about this yet? I'm curious what terms they put it in.

[LandofRain]

Just out of curiosity, has anyone gotten a notification from a coordinator about this yet? I'm curious what terms they put it in.

I received this email just now:

The Fulbright Hays program for fiscal year 2011 has been canceled and no awards will be made. Detail available on this webpage of the Department of Education: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/iegpsddrap/applicant.html

While this is unfortunate news, I encourage you to contact me or the Grad Grants Center to explore other sources of funding for your international research projects. As I did last year, I have started sending out email updates with advice for finding awards and preparing applications over the summer months and I can add you to the current distribution list.

[AlanRoe]

Join Save Fulbright-Hays DDRA on Facebook. I am starting the search for private foundations that might take this up. I have no idea about precedents or legality here, but it starts with the will to do something.

[laobaixing]

And the cuts that gutted the Department of Ed actually wound up adding $3 Billion in additional spending. http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/05/oops-historic-spending-cut-bill-increased-spending-by-3-billion.php

Infuriating.

[laobaixing]

Any way to find out who made the decision on this and what their contact info is?

[nescafe]

This is crap.

I have so much more to say. But I'll leave it there.

[MidwestLove]

I think that this man might be responsible: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arne_Duncan

[LisaRog]

I agree that this is crap. A few things:

1) "There doesn't seem to be a single news story on this that I can find. That needs to change if anything is to be done about this." (Quoted from the Save DDRA Facebook page)

--> This is a really important important! Please, everyone, we have to work together to get this story into the media. If you know of any journalists, or have any prior background in new media or old media, please please please work your contacts!!

2) We need to find out who in the Department of Ed. made this decision, and we should really try to organize a letter-writing campaign.

I know everyone (myself included) is angry, disheartened, saddened, and shocked by this unprecedented decision. But, if possible, we should try to channel that anger into saving the fulbright-hays.

Again, please join the facebook page in support of saving the fulbright-hays: Save Fulbright Hays DDRA

[LisaRog]

One more thing:

The total award for Fulbright-Hayes DDRA in 2007 was about 4.5 million dollars. One F35-A fighter jet in 2007 cost 75 million dollars. By 2011, that latter figure has more than doubled, to 183 million dollars.

Quoted from Save the Fulbright Hays

[LisaRog]

Important update:

Go to: Go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-Fulbright-Hays-Programs/219331454753009

We have moved to be more inclusive of all Fulbright-Hays programs.

[quiqui]

Just received the notification from our Fulbright-Hays coordinator:

"I have requested reviewer comments with the hope that the feedback is helpful in the preparation of your future dissertation field-work funding applications. I'm told that the decision to share these comments has not yet been made by US Department of Education administrators. I'll let you know what they decide."

Edited May 23, 2011 by quiqui

[anthrograd2]

Good idea, but are we sure that the cuts affect all Fulbright-Hays programs? It seems that some Fulbright-Hays Faculty Research Abroad funding is still being distributed for FY 2011... http://www.clemson.edu/media-relations/article.php?article_id=3637

Important update:

Go to: Go to http://www.facebook....219331454753009

We have moved to be more inclusive of all Fulbright-Hays programs.

[anthrograd2]

Sorry for the second posting, just a quick clarification. It seems that the FRA program was also cancelled for FY 2011: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/iegpsfra/applicant.html

So the article from Clemson University is confusing. My guess -- and its just a guess -- is that since this person requested funding for "summer and fall 2011," her funding may have been snuck in under last year's budget. Any DDRA-ers who applied for immediate short term funding could possibly be eligible for the same? For those for whom this may apply, this could be a question worth asking. Just a thought.

[LandofRain]

For anyone still reading this forum: PLEASE sign the petition to Save Fulbright Hays. It might be too late for us, be we can't let this become permanent. Thanks. Christine

[Lustforlife]

Has anyone received more information about this? I am so curious as to how this decision was reached. Moreover, has anyone been able to receive reviewer comments?

[nescafe]

Has anyone received more information about this? I am so curious as to how this decision was reached. Moreover, has anyone been able to receive reviewer comments?

Yes, I would like to second this question, adding, has anyone gotten reviewer comments successfully? My FPA requested them after the cancellation notice, and Amy Wilson told him that it hadn't yet been decided whether FH would release the Reviewers' Comments. That was the last I heard on the matter. I figure that if US ED has them, it's the least they can do, right?

[nescafe]

So did the rest of you guys hear the news? I got this email this morning, two days after getting my reviewers' comments in the mail:

Theresa Granza wrote:

"As you are all aware, the funding for the Department of Education’s DDRA program has been cut. In this very unfortunate circumstance, IIE was approached by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation which was willing to provide funding—on a one-time basis—to assist a number of students who had applied to the Department of Education, and who might have received funding from them. They have created for this purpose the IIE Graduate Fellowships for International Study, and have allocated $3 million to offer assistance to students in the humanities and selected areas of social science...."

So... back to waiting?