Fulbright 2015-2016

[klevine]

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?

[Damis]

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?

 

Like, entirely different realm? Or just topic within an overarching theme change?

 

I had Full Grant friends change their original proposal quite a bit, but they didn't go from researching theoretical physics to Medieval Biometrics of the 15th century, for instance.

 

I'm pretty sure you couldn't change hosts, for instance.

[Damis]

You were in Germany, right? If you don't mind me asking, where? (Also -- sorry if I missed it earlier in the thread).

 

No problem! I was in Frankfurt.

[klevine]

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.

[RosyPosy68]

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.

 

Which country are you applying for? My initial thought is this:  if they select your application, they are selecting it based on the information you gave them. Therefore, if you change your location and project, then you no longer have the project they selected to fund.  I don't know how they would react to this, and I wouldn't be surprised if rules about this vary by country.  But... It seems sort of iffy, especially the change of institution.  Good luck, though!!

[Damis]

I see, I see! I'd definitely reach out to the Fulbright Commission. Changing institutional affiliation might alter things quite a bit for them. I understand where you're coming from, however.

[perfluidity]

I would guess that it depends on how many decisions are sent to the FSB at once.  Since the Scholarship board has to approve EVERYTHING decided by the other countries before they pass on the answers to the IIE, and then the IIE sends out confirmation letters by country... I would guess that it would be easy for stuff to bottleneck at the FSB office if they got several country decisions at once.  

Thanks. Oof, that's rough! I guess that might explain why a rush of country notifications came on the same days last year.

[klevine]

@ 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

[ltsax]

@ 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

Do you have a Fulbright Adviser? Maybe you could ask him or her what you should do in this circumstance?

[rockermaster]

@ 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

Another Ireland applicant! Can I ask what your affiliation is/was and where you'd like to change it?

[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

[RNM2015]

I really was thinking today it would happen :s

[rockermaster]

 

@ 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

 

Agus tú fhéin,a chara.

 

I'm applying for the Irish language study/research grant. Naturally, my affiliation (not that I have one yet, because it was necessary for the award) is going to be Galway. NUIG, to be more precise. It's basically the place to go for anything Irish language. Best of luck getting the grant and getting your affiliation changed!

 

I really was thinking today it would happen :s

 

Me too, me too. Maybe there's still time? What time do they stop sending out emails? 

Edited March 11, 2015 by rockermaster

[RNM2015]

Has anyone herd anything? I was hoping and still nothing

[ltsax]

Ag tú fhéin,a chara.

 

I'm applying for the Irish language study/research grant. Naturally, my affiliation (not that I have one yet, because it was necessary for the award) is going to be Galway. NUIG, to be more precise. It's basically the place to go for anything Irish language. Best of luck getting the grant and getting your affiliation changed!

 

 

Me too, me too. Maybe there's still time? What time do they stop sending out emails? 

If we are being notified by the NY office, then I would assume that notifications would stop after 5pm when the office closes.

[BariteRose]

If we are being notified by the NY office, then I would assume that notifications would stop after 5pm when the office closes.

 

That was my assumption too, but a friend that received an ETA last year was notified at 6:30pm mountain time, which would have been 8:30 in the NY office. Granted, this was at the end of April. Perhaps they started staying late in order to deal with the large number of notifications by that point in the season?

 

I have a hard time thinking they'd stay past 5:00 right now. 

[aquarialily]

Scholars for Ireland have already been notified, so I'm assuming they made all decisions at once. I also was in contact with them a month ago (I have to take a test as part of my grant, if I get it, and I was making arrangements to take it at my alma mater) and they told me they were about to meet. Basically, several assumptions.

@Virmudi. Thanks! I'm just tired of this waiting game.

 

Hmm I don't think that they necessarily make the decisions all at once... I'm not even sure they're the same committees that make the decisions, as the things that are considered for the scholars program are a little bit different and funding is doled out differently. Plus they submitted their applications in August so thats why they find out sooner. So I wouldn't be tooooo concerned.

[comrade18]

I'm not sure how helpful this information will be to anyone, but I applied to Russia and received an email a little over a week ago saying that decisions would go out in mid-April.

[TheExile0901]

I'm not sure how helpful this information will be to anyone, but I applied to Russia and received an email a little over a week ago saying that decisions would go out in mid-April.

 

This is incredibly helpful, at the very least for those applying to Russia.

Of course, I'm applying elsewhere, so I'll return now to just rocking myself back and forth in the corner, stopping only to refresh my email...

[viggosloof28]

I don't know if it has any impact on when the decisions are sent out, but a couple of my friends applied for Germany (one-year research grant) and one got a reminder about transcripts two days ago. Dunno if they're still waiting on people's documentation or if they'd send decisions out without having given folks some extra time after this latest notice was sent out. Any insights?

[perfluidity]

Out of curiosity, by when did they say was the final date that they needed to have their transcripts in? (If they did give a date)

[lilymasala]

Out of curiosity, by when did they say was the final date that they needed to have their transcripts in? (If they did give a date)

 

From the Fulbright e-mail saying I was recommended:

 

"IIE must receive these transcripts by February 20,  2015. Transcripts must be in the original sealed envelope as issued by the Registrar’s office."

 

I think that it's a "no news is good news" situation and that they only say something if they did not receive your transcripts. 

[RosyPosy68]

Good Morning Everyone!!! We've almost made it through week 2 of anticipation and nothingness! Hugs to everyone, y'all are the best support system ever! (Including all my well-wishing but completely clueless-about-this-anxiety friends and family)

 

My prediction of the day:  UK Notifications will go out next week on Tuesday.  Why?  1) I want them to and I would like to feel like I have control over it by guessing. This obviously is logical and in no way obsessive.  2) For the past 5 years, they've gone out the 3rd week of March, and all but one of those have been on a Tuesday. 3) ...... I don't know! Why do I keep doing this?!

 

PS: Person who hasn't been able to create an account: I can't make it work when I'm using internet explorer, but it works great in Chrome... Try using a different browser! You can download Chrome for free if you don't have it, FYI!

Edited March 12, 2015 by RosyPosy68

[lilymasala]

Yeah I think the applicants to India are going to be lucky to hear by the 20th!  Usually it looks like notifications in the past five years start around then and can go as late as mid-April, although maybe we'll hear sooner since recommendation notifications went out 1-2 weeks early?  Yes?  Probably not.  Sigh.

[viggosloof28]

Looks like Norway has notified on every day of the week (except Friday) in previous years.  And usually in the last week of March/first week or so of April...I don't think I can wait that long!  Argh!