U.S. Scholars

Fulbright Distinguished Chairs Program
• Overview • Who's Eligible • Application Deadline • Why Participate • Catalog of Awards • Application
• FAQs • Tips • Review Criteria • Notification Timeline • Chairs Staff

•	Basic Tips
•	Tips for Submission of References
•	Letters of Invitation
•	Developing Contacts Abroad
•	Language Proficiency Report

Here are some instructions and suggestions that will assist you in locating the right award and preparing a competitive, successful application.

• Meet the eligibility guidelines and the application deadline.
• Read and follow the instructions.
• Think about where you want to go, why you want to be there, and what you propose to do before you begin the application.
• Do some homework if you are not familiar with a country, its educational, or archival systems
• Consider that collaborative projects are more compelling.
• Remember that the parts of the application should combine to create an integrated whole.
• Be sure to proofread.
• Include only the information and materials requested and observe any limitations on length.
• Submit all attachments using an MS Word or PDF format.

• The applicant is responsible for notifying referees of their request for letters and for ensuring those letters are submitted to CIES by the deadline.
• Share a copy of your proposal with your referees.
• The online application allows referees to submit their letters online.
• Referees should keep an electronic copy of the letters they submit.
• Do not exceed the indicated number of references for the type of award you have chosen.
• Referees should retain an electronic copy of the letters that they submit

Do not submit more references than the 3 required.

• All references must be in English.
• References should be from persons able to evaluate your professional work, including teaching effectiveness; the abilities you bring to your project; your ability to adapt; and the merits of the project.
• At least one letter should be from a colleague in your field who is outside your home institution.  Such letters help demonstrate the breadth of your scholarly reputation.
• The departmental chair, dean, or other appropriate individual at your home institution should complete the teaching report.
• If you have recently moved to a new home institution, one of the reference letters should be from your previous institution.
• If your doctorate or master’s degree is recent or you are early in your career, one reference should be from the supervisor of your graduate program.

Some countries require letters of invitation, especially for open “All Disciplines” awards. Others encourage such letters, while some specifically ask that no contact be made with potential  hosts. Consult the award and/or country program description for special instructions regarding letters of invitation and any other, special instructions as to format, etc. If the matter of preference is unclear, contact the appropriate CIES program staff.

Once a host is identified, write him/her directly.  Include a copy of your curriculum vitae and a description of the activities you will want to pursue.  If the contact agrees that there is a match between you and the host institution, you may request a letter of invitation from your contact.

There are no specific requirements for such letters.  The letter might include:

• The activities for which you are being invited by the host (i.e., research at an institution, special lecturing needs, etc.)
• The period of time for which you are invited
• A description of the host’s interest in the applicant’s project and how it will benefit the host institutions.

A single institution is free to send letters of invitation to multiple candidates, so be aware that a letter is not a legally binding pledge, nor does it guarantee an applicant a grant.

Invitations submitted for awards should follow these guidelines:

• Attach the invitation as an MS Word or PDF document on the Attachments section of the online application.
• If the letter is not in English, include an English translation of it, along with the original.
• If an invitation arrives after the application deadline, consult the CIES program officer for your award.

Some countries require and others recommend letters of invitation.  If you do not have contacts in your country of interest, CIES has some recommendations:

Begin close to home.

Use the facilities of your home campus:

1. The international office on your campus or its library
2. International students and faculty, as well as area studies faculty, on your campus who may know people in your discipline in other countries
3. Colleagues who have gone abroad

Current and former Fulbright Scholars. Directories of current and past Fulbright scholars are available at this web site for both U.S. and Visiting Scholars.

Program officers may have leads; contact the appropriate program officer for the country you are interested in.

The international division of your professional organization may have information about the status of your discipline and the educational system in other countries, as well as names of people who could serve as contacts or direct you to others who could.

Area Studies Research Centers funded by Title VI of the Department of Education Professional journals in your field-look for authors from the country you are interested in. “About the Countries” pages on this Web site

Research the country and its educational system. Some university Web sites are:

1. Library of Congress’s Portals to the World site: www.loc.gov/rr/international/portals.html This site offers links to electronic resources, arranged by country or geographic region, with links for each, sorted in a wide range of broad categories.
2. Braintrack: www.braintrack.com Education index of over 8300 links to higher education institutions in 194 countries

Applicants for awards that require knowledge of a foreign language must submit the Language Proficiency Report. The report is optional for all other awards. Consult the awards catalogue for specific requirements for your award. If you have questions such as whether a language report is required for a host where English is typically used or if you have native speaker fluency, contact the appropriate CIES program officer.

• Complete Part I of the report online.
• The appropriate foreign language instructor submits an evaluation (Part II) through the online reference system.