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Author Topic: Fullbright grants for US citizens working abroad  (Read 3059 times)
angelicus
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« on: May 20, 2011, 07:02:18 PM »

Does anybody out there  teaching abroad have any experience with applying for Fullbright grants (teaching and research) for going to another (i.e. a third) country.  I've been teaching outside the USA for many years at a place with very limited resources and would love to go to another country for a half year, both for research and to teach.  The Fullbright instructions say that you have to be a US citizen, nothing about being a resident of the USA. 

Is there any point in applying?  Most of my work has been published in English, often in the USA.  Or would the people judging these applications simply say, "why would anyone already outside the USA want to go to yet another place?" and reject it out of hand.   It is a lot of trouble to put together an application, so any comments, hints, or suggestions would be welcome.
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snowbound
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« Reply #1 on: May 20, 2011, 09:18:19 PM »

I know someone who is on a Fulbright right now, who was working abroad and got a Fulbright to go to another country, so it's not impossible.  You'd have to put together a compelling reason to go to the Fulbright country, but that goes fro any application, since these things are very competitive.

Call the Fulbright office and talk to them (which may be expensive from where you're at).  They are very helpful.
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angelicus
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« Reply #2 on: May 20, 2011, 11:48:20 PM »

Thanks Snowbound.  That gives me hope.
Um, and I just realized I don't need that second "l" in the man's name.  Looked funny, but I didn't follow up.
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betterslac
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« Reply #3 on: May 21, 2011, 03:06:30 AM »

I'm a little more skeptical. I've worked with the Fulbright Faculty Research Abroad program, and an important part of the application for that program  (in addition to a high threshold for scholarship, time in country and language abilities) is a discussion of how that research will have an impact on and benefit the scholar's home institution. The assumption is that the institution is in the US, as the program is seeking to improve the teaching, research and other capacities of US institutions with regard to these particular countries.

So I would look very closely at the application for the particular program before putting in the time and effort applying. As a panel member for the Faculty Research Abroad program, I would significantly ding an application from someone who is affiliated with an institution outside the US. But this might not be an issue with other Fulbright programs.

And, of course, for any of the programs merely a desire to go to a country is not enough. You have to have significant and compelling reasons for going to a particular country, particularly for research grants.
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snowbound
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« Reply #4 on: May 21, 2011, 10:06:06 PM »

True.  The person I was referring to has a teaching grant (or it might be teaching plus research).  And she is also an unusual case, I think. Given her area of expertise, her presence in both the country she came from (which is deeply involved  with the US right now) and the country she went to makes a lot of sense.  ANd the country she went to isn't one that there is huge competition for--the number of other applicants for a particular grant can be a significant factor in your chances of being accepted.

GOing by this person and some other unusual-situation Fulbrighters that I've met (I'm on a Fulbright right now), I think the Fulbright people are pretty good at looking at exceptional situations involving exceptional people, and trying to work with that.  So my original point--"it's possible"--should be tempered with "you'd have to make a darn good case for it."

Again, I suggest you talk to the Fulbright folks in Washington.  Unless you have compelling research needs to be in the country you choose, you should go for a teaching grant.  And they can tell you which countries are easier to get.  And how much your lack of a US affiliation would count against you (It will count against you, I;m sure, but how much?)
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angelicus
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« Reply #5 on: May 21, 2011, 11:24:00 PM »

Thanks again everyone.

I am going to contact the people in charge, and unless I get a complete "forget it" from them go ahead and put together an application for a "core" teaching/research grant.  I don't know how strong it will be, but at least you've convinced me it is not ruled out from the start.

Comments have been much appreciated.

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taikibansei
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« Reply #6 on: May 22, 2011, 02:46:40 AM »

Thanks again everyone.

I am going to contact the people in charge, and unless I get a complete "forget it" from them go ahead and put together an application for a "core" teaching/research grant.  I don't know how strong it will be, but at least you've convinced me it is not ruled out from the start.

Comments have been much appreciated.

From your other posts, it would seem that you're at a national university in Japan. If true, in addition to pursuing the Fulbright application, you may want to ask around about leave and internal funding possibilities at your school. E.g., some national universities offer paid sabbatical leave now. Furthermore, there are a number of external grants out there which might work, including the Kaigai Senshin Kyouiku Kenkyuu Jissen Shien Program. Pm me if you want the names of some of these other grants.
« Last Edit: May 22, 2011, 02:48:52 AM by taikibansei » Logged
peterlake
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« Reply #7 on: May 24, 2011, 04:37:21 PM »

Yes, it is possible.  The information that I got (from the Fulbright officers for a specific third country, in the context of a faculty research grant) was, though, that it was on a case-by-case basis.  So it might be more likely for someone who can make a case that they are on a temporary contract abroad, and eventually intend to return to the US (and thus enrich the US academia with their Fulbright experience).  But being a citizen is definitely all that is formally required--not residency, not US university affiliation.
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