DEVELOPING A PROJECT

Abstract

Developing a strong, feasible and compelling project proposal is the most important aspect of a successful Fulbright application. Your first step should be to familiarize yourself with the program summary for the country to which you wish to apply. The program design varies somewhat from country to country (i.e., some countries encourage applicants to incorporate coursework into a project, while others prefer independent research.) Click here to view the participating country summaries. Please ensure that your project design fits under the program guidelines for your host country. It is essential that applicants have adequate formal training for the study that they wish to pursue and that their language skills be commensurate with the requirements of the project. z Graduating seniors generally will be expected to attend regular university lectures as part of their projects. They should describe the study programs they wish to follow in terms as specific as possible. They should not expect close academic supervision and should be prepared to supplement lectures with an independent research project. z Graduate students, as well as advanced degree candidates proposing research for theses and dissertations, will be expected to work independently without close supervision. z Ph.D. candidates should indicate when they expect to complete preliminary or comprehensive examinations and whether their project statements have been accepted or approved as dissertation proposals. z Creative and Performing Arts candidates should submit projects indicating their reasons for selecting a particular country, the form their work will take and the results they hope to obtain. For more information on preparing applications in these areas and any required supplementary materials, please click here. You must demonstrate that your project and your research strategy are feasible, including its time frame. In determining this you can ask yourself the following questions: z How will the culture and politics of the host country impact your work? z How do the resources of the host country support your project? Will you have access to the documents/equipment necessary for successful completion of you project? z If employing methodological techniques such as extensive interviewing and the use of questionnaires how will you get/locate your subjects? Have you received approval for your questionnaire from your project supervisor? z Have you received all of the necessary permissions from local authorities? z Is your language facility adequate? If not, how will you accomplish your work? In other words, if there could be any question regarding …