SSRC IDRF Notification

[Direstraits]

I know they did a round of first cuts only a few weeks after the due date. So if you're still writing on this forum, you survived that. My guess is that they are requesting transcripts first from people who had courses in progress at the application date, so they can compile their grades. Then they'll do a round of cuts, and for those who are still in who haven't submitted transcripts, they'll do it then. Knowing the pace at which these things happen, my guess is that it'll take quite a while.

[LisaRog]

Hi Direstraits:

Thanks for posting this info, which if true is indeed encouraging, but perhaps you could clarify something for me: when they made the first round of cuts, was anyone notified? Is it possible that some of us have already been cut, but are simply unaware of our status? I ask only because I have three friends who also applied this year, and none of us have heard anything back (with the exception of two who received transcript requests).

-----------

I know they did a round of first cuts only a few weeks after the due date. So if you're still writing on this forum, you survived that. My guess is that they are requesting transcripts first from people who had courses in progress at the application date, so they can compile their grades. Then they'll do a round of cuts, and for those who are still in who haven't submitted transcripts, they'll do it then. Knowing the pace at which these things happen, my guess is that it'll take quite a while.

[Direstraits]

Anthropos:

Yes, I had a colleague in that position, and this person was notified before the end of last semester. I can't say how many people experienced that, but we're still standing...for now. Good luck!

[onestep2]

Hi,

Can anyone clarify for me: I am currently in the field; applied for funding for this project in the same country; but I do not have funding for the current field project, will my current application still process? Of course some how I overlooked the qualification on the SSRC website relating to this matter. I am a bit unclear as to whether or not my application still qualifies. The site says that if you are in the field and have funding you do not qualify if you wish to procure funds for another 9 months in the same country. Seeing as how my current leg of the project does not have funding but I have applied for money for a second leg of this project in the same country, does my application still qualfiy? I haven't heard anything yet from SSRC. Thanks

[Anthro78]

Hiya everyone! The SSRC asked for my transcripts too. However, I didn't have any grades missing on my application - did this happen to anyone else? I wonder what that means?

Also, can anyone confirm that they were asked for transcripts and then later declined either this year or last?

Thanks!

Anthro78

[anthropology13]

Hi everyone! I'm amongst those who didn't receive a transcript request. I'm wondering if there's anyone who was awarded an IDRF last year, but wasn't asked for their transcript.

Oh, and I also know someone else who was asked for a transcript, but didn't have any incomplete grades. I don't think they're asking for transcripts to complete the application. I'm just hoping it's a rolling process.

[Direstraits]

Well, my theory has been debunked. Now I'm living on a prayer. As to OneStep's question, I don't think you'd be disqualified. I think they're intending the rule to apply to people who, for instance, might want to apply for an SSRC to extend a research trip funded by a Fulbright. But yeah, if you're not funded, there shouldn't be any difference--you're allowed to apply from wherever you want to.

[onestep2]

Thanks for the response Direstraits. On another note, last yr I was requested to send in my transcript however I DID NOT receive an award. Also, last yr I was in the midst of finishing course work so who knows whether or not a request for a transcript is to verify completion of grades or in fact a weeding out process. But in fact people I know who applied with me who also did not have complete course work who did not receive a request to submit a transcript subsequently were not granted funding from SSRC. Who knows. I'm hoping that a request for transcripts (or not for that matter) does not mean you are out of the game at this point...

[jenali]

Thanks for the response Direstraits. On another note, last yr I was requested to send in my transcript however I DID NOT receive an award. Also, last yr I was in the midst of finishing course work so who knows whether or not a request for a transcript is to verify completion of grades or in fact a weeding out process. But in fact people I know who applied with me who also did not have complete course work who did not receive a request to submit a transcript subsequently were not granted funding from SSRC. Who knows. I'm hoping that a request for transcripts (or not for that matter) does not mean you are out of the game at this point...

I am pretty sure getting a request for a transcript is good news -- for the same reason that calling references when you're looking for a job is good news. It makes 0 sense to request transcripts for people that you're certain aren't in the running. And purely statistically I know a lot more people didn't get asked than did in past years.

What I'm not sure of is that not getting one is bad news. (If that makes sense.)

[bitingnails]

Looks like an initial screening process conducted by IDRF screeners--whoever they are-- pares the application pool to a much smaller number. Say from about 800 applications, they weed out 700 to end up with 100. Then the selection committee meets to discuss the 100 applications only to award about 50 out of that 100. At least this was the selection process in 2003-04. Things may have changed since then--for one thing, they awarded 74 fellowships last year. Can it be that those who have been/will be asked for transcripts have made it to the final round? But making it to the final round would not guarantee a fellowship as that would be determined by the selection committee. Read the following:

The selection committee of the International Dissertation Field Research Fellowship program convened for its seventh annual meeting and awarded 50 provisional grants to applicantsfrom the 2003-2004 fellowship cycle. The fourteenmember committee, comprised of scholars from a diversity of fields in the social sciences and humanities, reviewed 103 proposals during its two and a half day session on April 10-12 at SSRC offices in New York.The proposals were selected as finalists by the IDRF’s network of over 140 screeners from an initial pool of 824 applications. The new cohort of IDRF fellows represents 29 universitiesand 15 disciplines or fields of study: history, anthropology, sociology, geography, ethnomusicology, archaeology, Middle Eastern studies, political science, art history, architecture, East Asian studies, economics, environmental studies,literature, philosophy, public policy, and religion. The cohort will be doing research in all areas of the world. A notable increase for the 2003 cohort are the 7 fellows who will be doing cross-regional fieldwork, a large jump from last year’s 4. The meeting concluded with a reception and dinner at French-Moroccan restaurant Marseille, where retiring members of the selection committee were toasted and thanked for their years of service.

[ssa2010]

I don't think we are going to be able to figure anything out through speculation. Unless someone has a connection to SSRC or calls and gets more info from them, I think we are stuck waiting until May. The transcript requests could mean something or they could not. SSRC seems to be saying they don't, but whether to take their word for it is unclear. We should all try to remember to post here once we learn whether we got the grant, and say whether or not we were asked for transcripts. That way maybe next year's applicants will be better informed!

[ssa2010]

I got the rejection letter today in the mail- and I wasn't asked for a transcript. oh well. Good luck to everyone else!!

Edited February 21, 2010 by ssa2010

[Direstraits]

Sorry to hear that. I think this might just have confirmed our speculation that those who didn't receive transcript requests didn't receive them for a reason, which means I should be getting that thin, brief letter in the mail tomorrow as well. Guess there's still Fulbright-Hays. I'll try to remain optimistic till the end.

[Direstraits]

Yep, got my rejection today, and wasn't asked for transcripts. I can't say it's absolutely certain, but I would be surprised if those who were not asked for transcripts really are under serious consideration anymore. At any rate, whether you were asked or not, good luck!

[anthropology13]

I got the rejection letter today. Wasn't asked for a transcript either. The same happened to a colleague.

[LisaRog]

Also rejected. No transcript request.

To be honest, I'm a little miffed. I specifically called the folks at the SSRC to ask whether not being asked for a transcript meant anything regarding the status of my application. The guy I spoke with could have given a non-committal answer if he wanted to. Instead, he seemingly went out of his way to assure me that the transcript request was "in no way" correlated to application review process. He repeated this statement more than once. It's clear, however, that this was not the case.... it's hard not to feel like I basically got lied to.

[jenali]

It's not at all entirely clear that it's not the case.

Does anyone know people who had a transcript requested and got rejected? Or people who didn't have one requested but got no letter as yet?

I have about 10 data points. People who didn't get asked for a transcript got rejected, and people who did, didn't. But that doesn't seem to me like nearly enough to base anything on...

(Yes, I got asked, and no, I didn't get a rejection. But I'm as paranoid as anyone, and I'm convinced my rejection letter got lost in the mail.)

Also rejected. No transcript request.

To be honest, I'm a little miffed. I specifically called the folks at the SSRC to ask whether not being asked for a transcript meant anything regarding the status of my application. The guy I spoke with could have given a non-committal answer if he wanted to. Instead, he seemingly went out of his way to assure me that the transcript request was "in no way" correlated to application review process. He repeated this statement more than once. It's clear, however, that this was not the case.... it's hard not to feel like I basically got lied to.

[iovi]

I did not receive a request for transcripts and letter of affiliation and also did NOT receive a rejection letter.

It's not at all entirely clear that it's not the case.

Does anyone know people who had a transcript requested and got rejected? Or people who didn't have one requested but got no letter as yet?

I have about 10 data points. People who didn't get asked for a transcript got rejected, and people who did, didn't. But that doesn't seem to me like nearly enough to base anything on...

(Yes, I got asked, and no, I didn't get a rejection. But I'm as paranoid as anyone, and I'm convinced my rejection letter got lost in the mail.)

[bitingnails]

It's not at all entirely clear that it's not the case.

Does anyone know people who had a transcript requested and got rejected? Or people who didn't have one requested but got no letter as yet?

I have about 10 data points. People who didn't get asked for a transcript got rejected, and people who did, didn't. But that doesn't seem to me like nearly enough to base anything on...

(Yes, I got asked, and no, I didn't get a rejection. But I'm as paranoid as anyone, and I'm convinced my rejection letter got lost in the mail.)

Several people (nicknick and others ) who posted before have said that they got asked for transcript and later got rejected. I got asked and no rejection as yet.

[jenali]

I am getting my nervous on today. Do we get some news sometime ever? =)

[Anthro78]

I am getting my nervous on today. Do we get some news sometime ever? =)

I seem to remember hearing the committee is meeting mid-April - but I can't give you a source. Nevertheless, I wouldn't expect to hear anything until mid to late April to be honest.

[AnthroGirl]

I seem to remember hearing the committee is meeting mid-April - but I can't give you a source. Nevertheless, I wouldn't expect to hear anything until mid to late April to be honest.

It's mid to late April, and Im wondering - Has anyone heard anything yet? This month is hellish with the notification anxiety.

I got the transcript request, and nothing after that. Checking older posts seems to indicate that last year they had notified successful applicants by now. I hope they're just running late this year...If anyone has any info (or continuing lack thereof), please reassure me.

[jenali]

It's mid to late April, and Im wondering - Has anyone heard anything yet? This month is hellish with the notification anxiety.

I got the transcript request, and nothing after that. Checking older posts seems to indicate that last year they had notified successful applicants by now. I hope they're just running late this year...If anyone has any info (or continuing lack thereof), please reassure me.

Continuing lack of info here:

http://www.poliscijobrumors.com/topic.php?id=21167&replies=7#post-137420

What I have gleaned from those folks and their (equal) ignorance is that both SSRC and Fulbright-Hays notified by this time last year, both should be out by about May 1st, and if you got an NSF you would already know. Hope this is of some sort of use.

[snail]

Continuing lack of info here:

http://www.poliscijo...s=7#post-137420

What I have gleaned from those folks and their (equal) ignorance is that both SSRC and Fulbright-Hays notified by this time last year, both should be out by about May 1st, and if you got an NSF you would already know. Hope this is of some sort of use.

I haven't heard anything since the transcript request either. I also haven't heard anything about my NSF proposal- I am hoping that since the political science program at the nsf is different from the cultural anthropology grant program, they do not necessarily share the same timeline.

Maybe I'm being too hopeful

IMHO, it would be much easier on all of us if they sent us rejects via email too round the same time. So I don't come home everyday and frantically search for a slim white envelope!

Edited April 23, 2010 by snail

[jenali]

I haven't heard anything since the transcript request either. I also haven't heard anything about my NSF proposal- I am hoping that since the political science program at the nsf is different from the cultural anthropology grant program, they do not necessarily share the same timeline.

Maybe I'm being too hopeful

IMHO, it would be much easier on all of us if they sent us rejects via email too round the same time. So I don't come home everyday and frantically search for a slim white envelope!

Possible bad news: one of my colleagues got notified about an anthro NSF a few days ago. (I didn't apply, so this one is low-stress for me.)

Possible good news: they wait to do the rejections because if people turn them down, they move down the list to the top-level alternates.

Fingers crossed.