Tips for Writing A Strong Project Essay for the Fulbright Scholar Program

Tips for Writing A Tips for Writing A Strong Project EssayStrong Project Essay

for thefor theFulbright Scholar Fulbright Scholar

ProgramProgram

Myron O. StachiwMyron O. Stachiw

Director, Fulbright Program in Director, Fulbright Program in UkraineUkraine

[email protected] [email protected]

What is a Fulbright What is a Fulbright Grant?Grant?

An opportunity to live and study in a An opportunity to live and study in a foreign land and culture (U.S.)foreign land and culture (U.S.)



An opportunity to represent your country An opportunity to represent your country of origin and its educational and scientific of origin and its educational and scientific system to otherssystem to others




An opportunity to study and/or conduct An opportunity to study and/or conduct deep research on a subject or topicdeep research on a subject or topic





An opportunity to collaborate with U.S. An opportunity to collaborate with U.S. scholars and a U.S. institution of higher scholars and a U.S. institution of higher educationeducation





An opportunity to collaborate with U.S. An opportunity to collaborate with U.S. scholars and a U.S. institution of higher scholars and a U.S. institution of higher educationeducation

An opportunity to create long-term An opportunity to create long-term contacts with U.S. scholars and contacts with U.S. scholars and institutionsinstitutions

The Application The Application The act of entering into the competition for The act of entering into the competition for

a Fulbright Scholar granta Fulbright Scholar grant

The Application The Application The act of entering into the competition for The act of entering into the competition for

a Fulbright Scholar granta Fulbright Scholar grant

A formal statement and presentation of: A formal statement and presentation of: Personal data Personal data

home and current address, date of birth, home and current address, date of birth, current status as employee; major current status as employee; major accomplishments, publications, accomplishments, publications, fellowships; family information; past fellowships; family information; past experiences overseas, etc.experiences overseas, etc.

The Application The Application The act of entering into the competition for a The act of entering into the competition for a

Fulbright Scholar grantFulbright Scholar grant

A formal statement and presentation of: A formal statement and presentation of: Personal data Personal data

home and current address, date of birth, home and current address, date of birth, current status as employee; major current status as employee; major accomplishments; family information; past accomplishments; family information; past experiences overseas, etc.experiences overseas, etc.

Academic/professional qualifications Academic/professional qualifications Education; professional activities; Education; professional activities; publications, fellowships, patents, etc.; three publications, fellowships, patents, etc.; three letters of support from your selected letters of support from your selected referees (colleagues, employers, academic referees (colleagues, employers, academic administrators, etc.) translated into English; administrators, etc.) translated into English; language proficiency, etc.language proficiency, etc.

The Application The Application Detailed Curriculum VitaeDetailed Curriculum Vitae

Education (universities, degrees, dates)Education (universities, degrees, dates) Positions heldPositions held Courses taught and other services provided to Courses taught and other services provided to

students and the home institutionsstudents and the home institutions Publications (full citations, starting with most Publications (full citations, starting with most

recent)recent) Other professional activities (workshops, seminars, Other professional activities (workshops, seminars,

consultations)consultations) Membership and activities in professional Membership and activities in professional

associationsassociations Professional honors, awards and fellowshipsProfessional honors, awards and fellowships Community serviceCommunity service

The Application The Application Institutional Affiliation PreferencesInstitutional Affiliation Preferences

The program is intended to support deep, The program is intended to support deep, directed, and advanced research/study, not directed, and advanced research/study, not initial explorations of new topics. initial explorations of new topics.

List up to three institutions with which you List up to three institutions with which you would like to be affiliated, together with the would like to be affiliated, together with the reasons for these potential affiliations. You are reasons for these potential affiliations. You are stronglystrongly advised to make contact with one or advised to make contact with one or more of these institutions before submitting your more of these institutions before submitting your application, and to have a letter of invitation and application, and to have a letter of invitation and offer of collaboration in hand when you apply offer of collaboration in hand when you apply from the scholar or department head with whom from the scholar or department head with whom you wish to collaborate most closely (especially if you wish to collaborate most closely (especially if you will need to work in a laboratory or with you will need to work in a laboratory or with special equipment). special equipment).

The Application The Application Institutional Affiliation PreferencesInstitutional Affiliation Preferences

The identification of a scholar or groups of The identification of a scholar or groups of scholars at specific institutions with whom scholars at specific institutions with whom you would like to collaborate indicates that you would like to collaborate indicates that you have given considerable thought to the you have given considerable thought to the realization of your project. A letter of realization of your project. A letter of invitation from these scholars and invitation from these scholars and institutions reflects their interest in your institutions reflects their interest in your project and their willingness to collaborate project and their willingness to collaborate with you. As a major goal of the Fulbright with you. As a major goal of the Fulbright Program is mutual enrichment of all of the Program is mutual enrichment of all of the participants (grantees and hosts), it is participants (grantees and hosts), it is important that you have such evidence of important that you have such evidence of potential collaboration. Your application will potential collaboration. Your application will be much stronger with such a potential be much stronger with such a potential connection to a US institution.connection to a US institution.

The Application The Application Course Syllabi Course Syllabi

While few Ukrainian scholars are invited to teach While few Ukrainian scholars are invited to teach entire courses, several scholars in the past few entire courses, several scholars in the past few years have received such invitations.years have received such invitations.

If you are asked to teach a course, provide up to 10 If you are asked to teach a course, provide up to 10 pages of sample syllabi you will teach or have pages of sample syllabi you will teach or have taught.taught.

You may also choose to provide a list of individual You may also choose to provide a list of individual lectures in your field of specialization and about lectures in your field of specialization and about your research that you could share with students, your research that you could share with students, faculty, and other scholars. This will allow your faculty, and other scholars. This will allow your host institution to consider the option of having you host institution to consider the option of having you deliver one or more lectures during your stay.deliver one or more lectures during your stay.

The Detailed Project The Detailed Project StatementStatement

The project statement is the most The project statement is the most important component of the Fulbright important component of the Fulbright application. Those scholars with the most application. Those scholars with the most compelling, theoretically-sound, well-compelling, theoretically-sound, well-written, and feasible proposal are written, and feasible proposal are generally recommended for awards.generally recommended for awards.


The project statement is the most The project statement is the most important component of the Fulbright important component of the Fulbright application. Those scholars with the most application. Those scholars with the most compelling, theoretically-sound, well-compelling, theoretically-sound, well-written, feasible proposal are generally written, feasible proposal are generally recommended for awards.recommended for awards.

Explain your proposed project, and the Explain your proposed project, and the strategy for completing it, in a statement strategy for completing it, in a statement of three to five single-spaced pages of three to five single-spaced pages (maximum 3,500 words). (maximum 3,500 words). Do not exceed the page limit (5) of the Do not exceed the page limit (5) of the proposal. proposal.


The project statement is the most important The project statement is the most important component of the Fulbright application. Those component of the Fulbright application. Those scholars with the most compelling, theoretically-scholars with the most compelling, theoretically-sound, well-written, feasible proposal are sound, well-written, feasible proposal are generally recommended for awards.generally recommended for awards.

Explain your proposed project, and the strategy Explain your proposed project, and the strategy for completing it, in a statement of three to five for completing it, in a statement of three to five single-spaced pages (maximum 3,500 words). single-spaced pages (maximum 3,500 words). Do not exceed the page limit (5) of the Do not exceed the page limit (5) of the proposal. proposal.

Attach a select bibliography of no more than Attach a select bibliography of no more than three pages (2,100 words), to your proposed three pages (2,100 words), to your proposed research.research.

The Detailed Project The Detailed Project StatementStatement ContentContent

The project statement should introduce The project statement should introduce you professionally to your colleagues in you professionally to your colleagues in the U.S.the U.S.


The project statement should introduce The project statement should introduce you professionally to your colleagues in you professionally to your colleagues in the U.S.the U.S.

Make sure your qualifications and Make sure your qualifications and expertise match the objectives in your expertise match the objectives in your project statement. Show that you are project statement. Show that you are qualified to accomplish what you qualified to accomplish what you propose to do.propose to do.


The project statement should introduce you The project statement should introduce you professionally to your colleagues in the U.S.professionally to your colleagues in the U.S.

Make sure your qualifications and expertise Make sure your qualifications and expertise match the objectives in your project match the objectives in your project statement. Show that you are qualified to statement. Show that you are qualified to accomplish what you propose to do.accomplish what you propose to do.

Emphasize how your project will benefit the Emphasize how your project will benefit the host institution or other scholars in your host institution or other scholars in your country and in the U.S. What is the likely country and in the U.S. What is the likely impact of your experience abroad? To impact of your experience abroad? To whom? How will you use this experience whom? How will you use this experience upon your return, professionally and upon your return, professionally and personally?personally?


The project statement should introduce you The project statement should introduce you professionally to your colleagues in the U.S.professionally to your colleagues in the U.S.

Make sure your qualifications and expertise Make sure your qualifications and expertise match the objectives in your project statement. match the objectives in your project statement. Show that you are qualified to accomplish Show that you are qualified to accomplish what you propose to do.what you propose to do.

Emphasize how your project will benefit the Emphasize how your project will benefit the host institution or other scholars in your host institution or other scholars in your country and in the U.S. What is the likely country and in the U.S. What is the likely impact of your experience abroad? To whom? impact of your experience abroad? To whom? How will you use this experience upon your How will you use this experience upon your return, professionally and personally?return, professionally and personally?

Focus on what can be reasonably Focus on what can be reasonably accomplished during the period of the grant.accomplished during the period of the grant.


Explain the project’s significance and its Explain the project’s significance and its importance to the field . Use language importance to the field . Use language that will be understood by that will be understood by ALL ALL reviewers, as some will be outside your reviewers, as some will be outside your field.field.


Explain the project’s significance and its Explain the project’s significance and its importance to the field . Use language importance to the field . Use language that will be understood by that will be understood by ALL ALL reviewers, as some will be outside your reviewers, as some will be outside your field. field.

Connect your past experience to what Connect your past experience to what you are proposing to do if you receive you are proposing to do if you receive the award. Make a clear case for the award. Make a clear case for yourself based on your past experience yourself based on your past experience and current scholarly endeavors.and current scholarly endeavors.


Explain the project’s significance and its Explain the project’s significance and its importance to the field . Use language that will importance to the field . Use language that will be understood by be understood by ALL ALL reviewers, not just reviewers, not just specialists, as some members of the review and specialists, as some members of the review and selection committee will be outside your field.selection committee will be outside your field.

Connect your past experience to what you are Connect your past experience to what you are proposing to do if you receive the award. Make a proposing to do if you receive the award. Make a clear case for yourself based on your past clear case for yourself based on your past experience and current scholarly endeavors.experience and current scholarly endeavors.

Do not stress how a Fulbright grant will benefit Do not stress how a Fulbright grant will benefit only you or your career. Remember the program’s only you or your career. Remember the program’s primary goal is to foster mutual understanding primary goal is to foster mutual understanding between cultures and nations. between cultures and nations.


Discuss any preparatory steps you have Discuss any preparatory steps you have taken or will take before starting your taken or will take before starting your grant. For example, if you plan to bring grant. For example, if you plan to bring to the U.S. samples such as tissue, to the U.S. samples such as tissue, plants, chemicals, etc., indicate that you plants, chemicals, etc., indicate that you have addressed this with the Fulbright have addressed this with the Fulbright Office or with the U.S. Embassy and with Office or with the U.S. Embassy and with your prospective host, if known, in order your prospective host, if known, in order to determine what clearance and to determine what clearance and approval processes are needed.approval processes are needed.


ContentContentOrganize your proposal in order of the Organize your proposal in order of the following points, and use them as headings following points, and use them as headings for sections of text in your statement.for sections of text in your statement.

BackgroundBackground – Introduce the research – Introduce the research topic. Place the project in academic or topic. Place the project in academic or professional context by referring to professional context by referring to major works by others on the subject major works by others on the subject (with proper citations).(with proper citations).


ContentContentOrganize your proposal in order of the Organize your proposal in order of the following points, and use them as headings following points, and use them as headings for sections of text in your statement.for sections of text in your statement.

BackgroundBackground – Introduce the research – Introduce the research topic. Place the project in academic or topic. Place the project in academic or professional context by referring to professional context by referring to major works by others on the subject major works by others on the subject (with proper citations).(with proper citations).

ObjectivesObjectives – Clearly define the aims of – Clearly define the aims of the project.the project.


MethodologyMethodology – Describe the project and – Describe the project and explain the approach, methods, and plan explain the approach, methods, and plan you will use (for example, interviews, you will use (for example, interviews, library or archival research, or library or archival research, or laboratory experiments). Indicate laboratory experiments). Indicate whether the research will be qualitative whether the research will be qualitative or quantitative (or both). Be prepared to or quantitative (or both). Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your answer detailed questions about your research plan and the methodology you research plan and the methodology you propose to use in the U.S to accomplish propose to use in the U.S to accomplish your goals.your goals.


MethodologyMethodology – Describe the project and explain – Describe the project and explain the approach, methods, and plan you will use (for the approach, methods, and plan you will use (for example, interviews, library or archival research, example, interviews, library or archival research, or laboratory experiments). Indicate whether the or laboratory experiments). Indicate whether the research will be qualitative or quantitative (or research will be qualitative or quantitative (or both). Be prepared to answer detailed questions both). Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your research plan and the methods you about your research plan and the methods you propose to use in the U.S to accomplish your goals.propose to use in the U.S to accomplish your goals.

SignificanceSignificance - Explain the importance of the - Explain the importance of the project for the field, Ukraine, and your own project for the field, Ukraine, and your own professional development. Indicate what effect you professional development. Indicate what effect you expect the opportunity to have on your teaching or expect the opportunity to have on your teaching or professional work in Ukraine. Describe briefly the professional work in Ukraine. Describe briefly the expected impact of your participation on your expected impact of your participation on your home institution, community, or professional field.home institution, community, or professional field.


Evaluation and Dissemination Evaluation and Dissemination – – Describe plans for assessment and Describe plans for assessment and distribution of research results in distribution of research results in Ukraine and elsewhere.Ukraine and elsewhere.


Evaluation and Dissemination Evaluation and Dissemination – – Describe plans for assessment and Describe plans for assessment and distribution of research results in Ukraine distribution of research results in Ukraine and elsewhere.and elsewhere.

Justification for Residence in the U.S. Justification for Residence in the U.S. for the Proposed Project for the Proposed Project - Indicate very - Indicate very specifically why it is necessary for the specifically why it is necessary for the accomplishment of the project to conduct accomplishment of the project to conduct research in the U.S. Do you need to research in the U.S. Do you need to access specific archives? To laboratory access specific archives? To laboratory equipment? To a group of scholars? equipment? To a group of scholars?


Evaluation and Dissemination Evaluation and Dissemination – Describe plans – Describe plans for assessment and distribution of research for assessment and distribution of research results in Ukraine and elsewhere.results in Ukraine and elsewhere.

Justification for Residence in the U.S. for the Justification for Residence in the U.S. for the Proposed Project Proposed Project - Indicate very specifically - Indicate very specifically why it is necessary for the accomplishment of the why it is necessary for the accomplishment of the project to conduct research in the U.S. Do you project to conduct research in the U.S. Do you need to access specific archives? To laboratory need to access specific archives? To laboratory equipment? To a group of scholars?equipment? To a group of scholars?

DurationDuration - Explain how the project can be - Explain how the project can be completed within the time period proposed. It completed within the time period proposed. It might be useful to break down the tasks in terms might be useful to break down the tasks in terms of weeks or months (not specific dates, but of weeks or months (not specific dates, but duration).duration).


ContentContent

English Proficiency English Proficiency - Describe your - Describe your schooling in English, use of English and schooling in English, use of English and level of competence in speaking, writing, level of competence in speaking, writing, and reading.and reading.


ContentContent

English Proficiency English Proficiency - Describe your - Describe your schooling in English, use of English and schooling in English, use of English and level of competence in speaking, writing, level of competence in speaking, writing, and reading.and reading.

OtherOther - If applicable, indicate the - If applicable, indicate the quantity, format, and transportation quantity, format, and transportation requirements for any botanical, requirements for any botanical, zoological, or mineral samples that you zoological, or mineral samples that you will need to bring to the U.S. for will need to bring to the U.S. for analysis.analysis.


StyleStyle Express what you can bring to the program Express what you can bring to the program

clearly and succinctly:clearly and succinctly: Why should I apply for a Fulbright award to Why should I apply for a Fulbright award to

come to the U.S.?come to the U.S.? If selected, what will I do and how will I do If selected, what will I do and how will I do

it?it? What preparations have I made?What preparations have I made? What can I contribute to the Fulbright What can I contribute to the Fulbright

Program?Program? What will be the results of my What will be the results of my

participation?participation?


StyleStyle Express what you can bring to the program clearly Express what you can bring to the program clearly

and succinctly:and succinctly: Why should I apply for a Fulbright award to come Why should I apply for a Fulbright award to come

to the U.S.?to the U.S.? If selected, what will I do and how will I do it?If selected, what will I do and how will I do it? What preparations have I made?What preparations have I made? What can I contribute to the Fulbright Program?What can I contribute to the Fulbright Program? What will be the results of my participation?What will be the results of my participation?

Include only the most pertinent information; do notInclude only the most pertinent information; do notexceed the five page limit. On the other hand, do not exceed the five page limit. On the other hand, do not be so brief that your intentions are not be so brief that your intentions are not

understandable.understandable.


StyleStyle

Grab the reader’s attention quickly and Grab the reader’s attention quickly and state clearly what you want to do, why it state clearly what you want to do, why it is important, and how you will do it. is important, and how you will do it.


StyleStyle

Grab the reader’s attention quickly and Grab the reader’s attention quickly and state clearly what you want to do, why it state clearly what you want to do, why it is important, and how you will do it. is important, and how you will do it.

Emphasize key points in the first Emphasize key points in the first paragraph of the proposal. It is not paragraph of the proposal. It is not helpful if reviewers have to search helpful if reviewers have to search through the project statement to find the through the project statement to find the main points quickly. Remember, they main points quickly. Remember, they often read many applications.often read many applications.


StyleStyle

Grab the reader’s attention quickly and state Grab the reader’s attention quickly and state clearly what you want to do, why it is clearly what you want to do, why it is important, and how you will do it. important, and how you will do it.

Emphasize key points in the first paragraph Emphasize key points in the first paragraph of the proposal. It is not helpful if reviewers of the proposal. It is not helpful if reviewers have to search through the project statement have to search through the project statement to find the main points quickly. Remember, to find the main points quickly. Remember, they often read many applications.they often read many applications.

Use the rest of your proposal to support your Use the rest of your proposal to support your statements made in the opening paragraphs. statements made in the opening paragraphs.


StyleStyle

Keep your proposal simple and Keep your proposal simple and straightforward so that an educated straightforward so that an educated reader from another discipline can reader from another discipline can understand it. understand it. Avoid using specialized Avoid using specialized jargon and complicated formulas to jargon and complicated formulas to explain what you plan to do and why explain what you plan to do and why it is importantit is important..


StyleStyle

Keep your proposal simple and Keep your proposal simple and straightforward so that an educated reader straightforward so that an educated reader from another discipline can understand it. from another discipline can understand it. Avoid using specialized jargon and Avoid using specialized jargon and complicated formulas to explain what complicated formulas to explain what you plan to do and why it is important.you plan to do and why it is important.

Pay attention to style in your proposal. You Pay attention to style in your proposal. You may want to use the first person, but you may want to use the first person, but you should avoid flooding your proposal with should avoid flooding your proposal with “I’s” or referring to yourself in the third “I’s” or referring to yourself in the third person (she/he).person (she/he).

GOOD LUCK !GOOD LUCK !

If you have questions about the application, the on-If you have questions about the application, the on-line procedure for completing and submitting the line procedure for completing and submitting the application, university affiliations, or on any other application, university affiliations, or on any other

issues, please contact issues, please contact

Fulbright Scholar Program Officer Fulbright Scholar Program Officer

Natalia ZalutskaNatalia Zalutska

(044)-(044)-287-0777287-0777

[email protected]@fulbright.com.ua

Програма aкадемічних обмінів імені

Фулбрайта в Україні

вул. Еспланадна 20, кімн. 904

Київ, 01001телефон: (044) 280-0777;

факс: (044) [email protected]

Програма aкадемічних обмінів імені

Фулбрайта в Україні

www. fulbright.org.ua

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Tips for Writing A Strong Project Essay for the Fulbright Scholar Program