Fulbright for STEM

[mechengr2000]

Does any one here have experience applying for Fulbright, especially as a student in a STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)?

How does this application compare and differ to writing an NSF GRFP or NDSEG proposal?

I am planning on applying to Fulbright as a Mechanical Engineer for China two years from now, so I am beginning my preparation.

Edited May 29, 2011 by mechengr2000

[tweety11226]

Does any one here have experience applying for Fulbright, especially as a student in a STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)?

How does this application compare and differ to writing an NSF GRFP or NDSEG proposal?

I am planning on applying to Fulbright as a Mechanical Engineer for China two years from now, so I am beginning my preparation.

I am a STEM major but I applied to an ETA Program

[crimsonengineer87]

I am a STEM major but I applied to an ETA Program

I'm in civil engineering and applied for the Fulbright this year to Germany and got it (that is, the full grant for research). I'm doing stuff with hydrologic modeling with nutrient cycling. (Yeah, I know, exciting.) I'll have to write more later, since my brain isn't functioning this evening, but the proposal needs to be understood by a variety of disciplines (such as those in the social sciences). For example, I had my Fulbright Program Advisor (FPA) read my statement of grant purpose and she had to look up "anthropogenic". Especially in modeling, I can't just say "we're using a physically-based watershed eco-hydrologic model linked with a 3-D chemical transport model in order to better understand the effects of atmospheric nitrogen deposition on the terrestrial biosphere". I think that's a little too complex. So maybe breaking that down into two sentences or something. AND you need to answer the question "why there, why now". Basically, what makes your project necessary to do research in China at that moment? It also helps if you obtain an affiliation and have research that has global implications. But you have lots of time to think about this.

Edited May 29, 2011 by crimsonengineer87

[Damis]

Especially in modeling, I can't just say "we're using a physically-based watershed eco-hydrologic model linked with a 3-D chemical transport model in order to better understand the effects of atmospheric nitrogen deposition on the terrestrial biosphere".

Headed = Explodeded.

[IRdreams]

You should be aware if planning for future fulbright application that the program has been eviscerated in future years due to the depression.

[crimsonengineer87]

Headed = Explodeded.

Exactly. Whenever someone asks me to describe my research, I always need to take a 10-sec pause. I might as well just say "climate change" or something. Lol. BUZZ WORDS!

You should be aware if planning for future fulbright application that the program has been eviscerated in future years due to the depression.

Where is your source? Was it really eliminated from the next FY budget? (I wouldn't be surprised ... but Fulbright is a major program ... but then again something did happen to the PhD one ... eek!) Senator Fulbright would probably be rolling around in his grave if he knew his program was being butchered considering how many US citizens and international students it has helped ...

[IRdreams]

My source is a colleague email and it is possible he may be incorrect. The relevant info I received:

“For FY 2011, there is no (as in zero) federal funding for Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Awards; this saves US tax payers 5.8 million dollars. There is also no funding for Fulbright-Hays Faculty Research Abroad Awards; this reduces the deficit by 1.7 million dollars. There’s more. Funding for all American Overseas Research Centers (AORC) for fiscal year 2011 has been slashed, the competition for 2011 awards cancelled. These centers provide critical support to scholars and students studying 16 countries/regions including many of the countries Obama highlighted in his major speech at the State Department on May 19—Egypt, Iran, Iraq, North Africa, Palestine, Pakistan, and Yemen. The 2010 budget for all those centers combined was 1.197 million.” Quote from: http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/1685/running-on-empty_international-education-funding-g

[mechengr2000]

http://www.fulbright.org/about-us/news/final-fiscal-year-fy-2011-continuing-resolution-passed

[crimsonengineer87]

My source is a colleague email and it is possible he may be incorrect. The relevant info I received:

“For FY 2011, there is no (as in zero) federal funding for Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Awards; this saves US tax payers 5.8 million dollars. There is also no funding for Fulbright-Hays Faculty Research Abroad Awards; this reduces the deficit by 1.7 million dollars. There’s more. Funding for all American Overseas Research Centers (AORC) for fiscal year 2011 has been slashed, the competition for 2011 awards cancelled. These centers provide critical support to scholars and students studying 16 countries/regions including many of the countries Obama highlighted in his major speech at the State Department on May 19—Egypt, Iran, Iraq, North Africa, Palestine, Pakistan, and Yemen. The 2010 budget for all those centers combined was 1.197 million.” Quote from: http://www.jadaliyya...ation-funding-g

OH! Yes, for the Fulbright-Hays. But for the U.S. Student Program, I'm assuming that will continue. Something with a senator's name and with such large clout, wouldn't be cut, especially since there are so many Fulbright alumni out there.

Too bad for the Fulbright-Hays. There is an NSF dissertation grant to go abroad for a year. I can't remember the name of it off the bat ... hmm ...

[mechengr2000]

I'm sure they'll bring back the Fulbright-Hays as soon as the economy gets better in a few years.

OH! Yes, for the Fulbright-Hays. But for the U.S. Student Program, I'm assuming that will continue. Something with a senator's name and with such large clout, wouldn't be cut, especially since there are so many Fulbright alumni out there.

Too bad for the Fulbright-Hays. There is an NSF dissertation grant to go abroad for a year. I can't remember the name of it off the bat ... hmm ...

[IRdreams]

I'm sure they'll bring back the Fulbright-Hays as soon as the economy gets better in a few years.

I actually doubt it. They seem to be shifting the burden to the Borens and other sources of funding for "strategic regions." Which seems a bit shortsighted since what is a strategic region evolves rather quickly and somewhat unexpectedly.