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[hikingprof]

Hello Forumites,

I'm a TT assistant professor, with a few interviews lined up this year. I am also a finalist for a Fulbright for a one semester project next year. (Finalist=passed peer review, but waiting to hear if I am funded.)

Do I mention this to the SC, SCC, or dean? I don't want to complicate matters, but obviously if they make me an offer I will need to tell them that there is the possibility I'll need a leave for one semester of next year. Being a finalist for Fulbright is certainly nothing to be ashamed of, but then again I don't want to introduce any potential complications too early.

Thoughts?

[fedscholar]

I'd keep it under your hat.

Hope you get it though!!!!

[hegemony]

Another vote for keeping it quiet and negotiating once you get an offer.

[charlesr]

+1

[losemygrip]

It depends--but in general I disagree (as usual).

If you knew about the Fulbright when you applied and you didn't mention it in your packet, you'll have to continue to hide it, at least until the campus visit.  (You can spin it by saying you didn't want to say anything until it seemed more certain, etc.)  If it's brand new, I would quickly brag about it to the search committee if you get a campus visit.  As you say, it's nothing to be ashamed of, and they should be glad to get someone who is a Fulbrighter.  Would you want to work at a place that would not give you time off for a prestigious fellowship such as a Fulbright? 

[offthemarket]

Lord no, do NOT tell them about this.

That said, don't expect them to let you go on the Fulbright, either. You don't start a faculty job and then say, 'see ya!"

[scampster]

Lord no, do NOT tell them about this.

That said, don't expect them to let you go on the Fulbright, either. You don't start a faculty job and then say, 'see ya!"

Couldn't they just delay the faculty start date by a semester, rather than taking leave?

[offthemarket]

Lord no, do NOT tell them about this.
That said, don't expect them to let you go on the Fulbright, either. You don't start a faculty job and then say, 'see ya!"

Couldn't they just delay the faculty start date by a semester, rather than taking leave?

Well, depending on the institution, and its needs, it might be possible. Once you get an offer, it should be fine to ask the search committee chair about floating this possibility with the dean. They'd have a sense about whether or not this would seem feasible.

[wmr333]

That said, don't expect them to let you go on the Fulbright, either. You don't start a faculty job and then say, 'see ya!"

I have a colleague who went on paid leave immediately upon hire.  We still had to find someone to teach the classes.

[seniorscholar]

I'm a TT assistant professor, with a few interviews lined up this year. I am also a finalist for a Fulbright for a one semester project next year. (Finalist=passed peer review, but waiting to hear if I am funded.)

You don't want to hear this, but last year many projects were not funded due to budget cuts. One more reason to say nothing at all until you have a job offer.

Once you do, very few search committees want to go back to the drawing boards and make up their minds to make an offer to another candidate. They wanted YOU! For one semester, and for an honor such as a Fulbright, just about any reputable school would say "wonderful" -- That might mean you start a semester late (but the Fulbright, I hope, will cover your living expenses), or it might mean that you have a semester's leave to start with (as many schools can manage, say, for someone who, after getting the offer, informs the committee that she is expecting to give birth in October).

But FIRST they have to decide you're their first choice, instead of deciding to rank you lower because "she might not be here if she gets the grant."

[hikingprof]

Thank you, everyone, for these responses and suggestions. My gut instinct had been not to say anything, and I am going to follow that approach. If I am made an offer I'll bring it up at that point. And of course it might all be moot, since as seniorscholar indicated being a finalist doesn't mean a thing when budgets are what they are.

I'll post an update to this thread after all is said and done, for those interested.

[larryc]

Lord no, do NOT tell them about this.

That said, don't expect them to let you go on the Fulbright, either. You don't start a faculty job and then say, 'see ya!"

And don't rule it out either--some institutions would be delighted by the prestige of the Fulbright, others would insist you give it up.

I gave up a paid semester in London to take my current job. It was the right thing to do but I still feel a little bad about it.

[hikingprof]

Forum Colleagues,

I said I wold return with an update, and here I am. I followed everyone's advice and kept the Fulbright possibility under my hat during the interviews. I received two offers, and in both cases negotiated with the dean to receive leave in the event I received the Fulbright.

And lo and behold, I received the Fulbright! So I will be getting the best of both worlds: a new job and a Fulbright. Thanks again to everyone who offered words of guidance and wisdom.

[hegemony]

Superb!  Congratulations!

[systeme_d_]

Congratulations!