Letters Of Invitation / Making Contacts	Traditional Fulbright Scholar Program
Chat Transcripts

Question: One of my first questions has to do with contacting someone at the host institution--is this something I should do?  I am applying for a Fulbright Distinguished Chair award.
Answer: Most awards either require or recommend a letter of invitation from the host institution, but some awards don't - it depends on the particular award.

Question: Is there a disadvantage for people applying with no invitation letter and no practical way to get one?
Answer: it depends. If a letter of invitation is required as in France, then you will have to have one. It may come in after the 1 August deadline, but you will have to find a way to get one.  If a letter is not required, it probably will not hurt to have it, but it will not stop your application from going through if you do not.

Question: The description says that a letter of invitation is required. I assume this meant that once I was selected they would officially invite me.  Am I misinterpreting this? This is also a lecturing award.
Answer: The letter of invitation is not automatic, so you would want to contact the host institution.

Question: Since only one person is selected for this award, does that mean that they have to write a letter for everyone who is applying?
Answer: It is perfectly acceptable for the host institution to write letters of invitation for more than one person.  The letter just indicates that they would be willing to have you teach what you propose to teach, and to provide normal institutional support (office space etc).

Question: I have contacted a university in my potential country but have not heard back from them.
Answer: You may want to send a reminder email.  It can be hard to reach academics during the summer.  Or, is there anyone else you know of who can respond? You might also contact the program officer to think of an alternative route.

Question: Regarding letters of invitation, the country I am applying for requires them, and it is proving difficult to get a direct response from the department chair. I have an intermediary at an NGO in country who has met with the dept chair, and relayed to me that she was very interested in my proposal. If I do not get a reply directly from the dept chair before Aug 1, can I include the e-mail from the NGO contact as an indication of interest?
Answer: The intermediate letter will help in the U.S. review, but the host country will insist on a real invitation before they will agree to a placement. Perhaps your intermediary can also help get the letter.

Question: What about the letters of invitation from the host institution?
Answer: The letter of invitation from the host institution should be from someone high enough up in the hierarchy to actually offer you classes -- a department head or dean usually.

Question: The country is one that does not require an invitation.  Should I just go ahead without a letter?
Answer: If an invitation is recommended but not required, include it if you can get one.  If it is not even recommended in the award description, don't worry.  You can also ask the program officer if they would recommend that you arrange a letter.

Question: I have not found anywhere in the description of my particular award whether or not it requires invitations.  Where do I look?
Answer: It may say something in the Overview or in the Location section of the specific award.

Question: My invitation letter is in Spanish, should I translate it myself or get professional translation? Do I need to get it notarized?
Answer: Yes, the letter should be translated.  No, it does not need to be notarized.

Question: The problem is I can’t get in touch with anyone at that med school, so I am creating a project without knowing what exactly they need!
Answer: It can often be difficult to make contact abroad, particular during the summer when everyone seems to be on vacation.  Be persistent, and if contacts are not responsive, indicate in your application the efforts you have made, reviewers appreciate that you are making the attempt.  Your project proposal can be a little vague on specifics if you indicate a willingness to work with the host to meet their needs later.