Project Proposal	Traditional Fulbright Scholar Program
Chat Transcripts

Question: If you are applying for a lecture award, but you also have reasons to be in the host country for the purposes of your research, should you mention that and make a case for how it all dovetails, for how the research will expand the teaching, etc.
Answer: In a word, yes.

Question: How does a combined research/lecturing award work?
Answer: A combined research/lecturing proposal includes both - typically you'd teach one or two courses per semester and also do a research project, which would need to be do-able in the time proposed.  We have a lot of these options.  Make sure you discuss both aspects in the project proposal, not stressing one at the expense of the other.

Question: For a lecturing/research award, how specific should I be about courses and research projects. A lot will depend on the host environment.  I want to be flexible to their needs and to opportunities.
Answer: The research portion needs to be very specific: what you plan to do, where, when, why, and with whom.  The lecturing portion should be as specific as realistic, but of course we realize that plans might change and it's good to indicate flexibility. Mention it if you've been in touch with your host institution.

Question: When the award calls for teaching at various levels, in various formats, and various subjects, would it be advantageous to address how you have strengths applicable to everything or to only focus on a few?
Answer: It depends on how much is said in the description. You can use your C.V. to make your experience clear and can toss in a sentence "In my career I have had many responsibilities, including A, B, C, V, R, P and T."

Question: Regarding language of proposal - we assume experts in our field are reviewing, therefore use of terminology specific to our area (type of statistical analysis proposed, etc) is appropriate.
Answer: The proposal will be read by people in your field, but also by even more people not in your field.  It needs to make professional sense, but without being incomprehensible to the majority of reviewers. Try to keep jargon to a level that makes it clear, but also one that will not leave an educated person in another field confused

Question: How specifically should an application be written for a particular institution? Context: one might not be chosen for that institution or even country.
Answer: Since you can apply for only one award, apply for that award. If things do not work out, we may come back to you and ask you to revise it. But that is done later, usually.

Question: Do reviewers like to see process more than substance in regard to descriptions of both lecturing and research?  Should I include more on how I teach rather than the content of the courses?
Answer: I hate to say it, but it all depends.  A lot of what matters is how well you make the case for what you want to do. Sometimes people have not thought about the approach you want to take and when you describe it, everyone says "Oh, I see!" But also there may be something in the award description that will indicate what the hosts are looking for.

Question: Are you suggesting that we include specific measurable outcome measures as part of the project proposal? It seemed to me like the project proposal is a COMBINATION of a project proposal and a personal statement trying to showcase one's own educational philosophy, achievements and abilities- I am way off in this?
Answer: Yes, you are right on about the project statement.  Do include all those things you mention, but you may also wish to discuss potential outcomes: a particular article you plan to have published, new ideas you would like to incorporate in your courses once you return, etc.

Question: Barring international citizenship prizes or some such, how does one couch the "cultural ambassador" attributes?
Answer: Mostly by displaying the fact that you are aware that you are not in the U.S. and have thought about the host country, the host institution, what they need, what you can offer.

Question: Does "cultural ambassador" mean someone representing the American culture? I was not born in the U.S. and I think I'm Chinese-American (50/50). Does that affect my chance to represent the U.S. in Latin America?
Answer: That is fine. We like to think that Americans come in all shapes and sizes and many Americans are not native born, etc. The role of cultural ambassador is one that covers many issues -- learning culture, educational direction, even music.  But when overseas you will often be "the American," no matter where you were born. Representing the diversity of our country is also a major component of being a cultural ambassador.