Writing a Successful Fulbright Proposal

1
Writing a Successful Fulbright Proposal

• John B. Bader, Ph.D.
• Associate Dean, Johns Hopkins U.
• Fulbright Scholar to India

2
First Step

• Where are you going?
• What are you doing?
• What is your central question or mission?
• Why do you have to go to _____ (country)?
• Ultimately To explain a day in the life so
  people can see what youll be doing clearly.

3
The Proposal in Context

• Longer of two critical essays (how vs. why)
• Importance from lack of interviews
• Supported by the rest of the application
• Letters comment on the proposal specifically
• Transcript, experiences show feasibility
• Summarized in the abstract
• Intellectual heart of the application, the
  guiding document

4
The Proposals Mission

• Reassure the reader Most important
• Provide a vision for the year abroad
• Provide intellectual context
• Sharpen the focus, question/s
• Lay logistical groundwork
• Explain the methodology
• Reach and convince the audiences

5
The US Audience

• Academics from many fields
• Skeptical about success
• Conservative about feasibility
• Need to see the project clearly
• Want proof applicant knows the field
• Want to feel the excitement, novelty
• Importance of feasibility, appropriateness

6
The In-Country Audience

• Will pick winnersthe key audience
• Share concerns of feasibility, clarity
• Want to see the value of being in country
• Sensitive to cultural, political constraints
• Need to see local, legitimate support
• Concern about success
• Want to know the project is worthwhile, as
  prestige at stake

7
Follow Up

• Bring draft to meetings, read on the spot
• Clarity, clarity, clarity
• Organization
• Set the context
• Pose the question/mission
• I propose to use the Fulbright grant to
  including hypothesis
• Methodology
• Is the writing accessible? Interesting?

8
What is Next?

• Turn in the application by September 20
• Paper copy of the application, essays
• All supporting materials transcript/s, letters
  of recommendation and support, portfolio, etc.
• Campus Interviews, October 9-13
• Time for last edits, then submit on paper and
  electronically by October 20.
• US decision by January 31, Country by May

9
Final Thoughts

• Proposal as intellectual and practical visioning,
  as self-marketing
• Questions, Comments?
• Contacting John Bader
• jbader_at_jhu.edu
• www.advising.jhu.edu
• 410-516-8216
• Garland Hall, Johns Hopkins University