2015 Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad

Fellowship

U.S. Department of Education

Presented By

• Shelley Hawthorne Smith: Assistant Director of the Office of Fellowships and Community Engagement, • ssmith@grad.arizona.edu

• Georgia Ehlers: Director of the Office of Fellowships and Community Engagement, UA Fulbright-Hays DDRA Project Director• gehlers@grad.arizona.edu

• Anna Valiante: Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Officer

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About the DDRA Fellowship

The Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Fellowship Program is designed to contribute to the development and improvement of the study of modern foreign languages and area studies in the United States by providing opportunities for scholars to conduct research abroad.

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What are area studies?

Comprehensive study of society or societies, including their geography, history, culture, economy, politics, international relations, and language.

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Who is eligible?

• Eligible applicant = Institutions of Higher Educationo The Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of the University of Arizona is the

applicantoGraduate College administers the application and programo Georgia Ehlers - project director

o gehlers@grad.arizona.eduo 520-621-9103 & FAX 520-621-2009o University Services Bldg. Room 204E

• Eligible for a fellowship = graduate student

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Eligibility for the graduate student:

•US citizen, national or permanent resident •Graduate student in good standing•Admitted to candidacy in eligible doctoral program

by date of departure•Sufficient language skills to carry out plan

(advanced language skills are preferred)•Not in default on student loans•Planning on a teaching career in the U.S.

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Timing

•Institutional project period = 18 months

•Research period = minimum 6 months to maximum 12 months (must be consecutive months)

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FY 2014 Applicant Data

World AreaNumber of Applicants by

World AreaTotal Requested Funding

by World AreaAverage Requested Funding

by World Area

Africa 78 $2,799,540 $35,892

Central/Eastern Europe and Eurasia 49 $1,861,413 $37,988

East Asia 45 $1,739,209 $38,649

Near East 37 $1,544,702 $41,749

South Asia 53 $2,232,157 $42,116

Southeast Asia 28 $1,084,329 $38,726

Western Hemisphere 94 $3,264,326 $34,727

Grand Total 384 $14,525,676 $37,827

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FY 2014 Fellowship Data

World AreaNumber of Awards

by World Area

Total Funding by World Area

Average Fellowship

Amount

World Area and Gender

Africa 27 $823,237 $30,490 F=19; M=8

Central/Eastern Europe and Eurasia 4 $166,879 $41,720 F=1; M=3

East Asia 15 $467,290 $31,153 F=9; M=6

Near East 3 $152,854 $50,951 F=1; M=2

South Asia 10 $398,249 $39,825 F=6; M=4

Southeast Asia 8 $357,764 $44,721 F=3; M=5

Western Hemisphere 16 $570,472 $35,655 F=11; M=5

Grand Total 83 $2,936,742 $35,382 83

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Recent Competitions

2012• Total $4,000,017• 84 awards• $ Average - $39,404• 380 applications

2013 • Total $3,002, 377• 79 awards• $ Average – $36,896• 357 applications

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2015Estimated number of awards –

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Absolute Priorities (2014)

• Research project focused on one or more of the following geographic areas: Africa, East Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, South Asia, the Near East, Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia, and the Western Hemisphere (excluding the U.S. and its territories).

• No funding for work in US or its territories or projects that focus on W. Europe except limited archival research.

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2014 Competitive Preference Priorities

• 78 Languages from the US Dept of Education List of Less Commonly Taught Languages.

• Advanced Language use in on of the 78 Languages in: economics, engineering, international development, global education, mathematics, political science, public health, science, or technology.

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Restrictions & Preferences

•May hold only one Fulbright fellowship under Fulbright-Hays appropriations • Split funding allowed, but not for same work• US diplomatic representation required•May not work in W. Europe except brief archival work• Preference to veterans if applications are equivalent

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Selection of Fellows

• Applicants screened & submitted by Grad College• DoE Staff reviews for eligibility and budgets.• 2 academic area specialists read and rank. Panels are based on

geographic region, not discipline. • Bi-national commissions & US diplomatic missions in country

review for budget, political sensitivity, and feasibility after panel recommends.• U.S. Secretary of Education recommends.• J. Wm. Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board reviews & approves.

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Electronic Submission

• Visit www.G5.gov. – CFDA 84.022A & set up your account after announced.• Complete & upload your application, cv, transcripts, & letters of

affiliation. • Referees submit electronically.• Candidate must submit before the Graduate College can view

application.• Grad College submits to Sponsored Projects 3 days before due.

Sponsored submits to Dept. of Education.• ADA accommodations available

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General Process

•Applications submitted in G5 •First round notification to Grad College Director•Awards offered (no later than Sept. 30, 2015)•Grant Period is 18 months•Commence & complete research in the 18 months•Most Fellows depart 3-6 months after notification•6-12 months of research required•Non-renewable; no-cost extensions unusual

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Student Application Contents • Completed F-H DDRA application form

• Start and end dates• Abstract (120 words/complete at end)• Detailed itinerary noting main points of travel• Budget • Loan default information• Health exam name of person who conducted exam

• Curriculum Vita – be sure to discuss area studies & field research preparation and pertinent coursework. See examples.• 10 pg. Narrative & 2 pg. Bibliography• 3 References, including your advisor (electronic submission)• 1 Language Reference for each pertinent language (electronic submission)• All graduate & pertinent UG transcripts in 1 electronic, scanned upload (legible

& with your name & the institution name on them)• Letter(s) of Affiliation scanned & uploaded as one document – dated, signed &

on affiliate letterhead (electronic)• Human Subjects Plan (1-2 pp. emailed to Project Director)

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Important Elements

• Letters of Recommendation• Letters of Affiliation• Language Evaluation

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Financial Provisions

DDRA funds may include expenses such as:•Health and accident insurance for the student fellow•Books•Technology directly related to proposed research, i.e., flash drives, scanners, etc.•Travel within host country(ies)•Affiliation fees•Dependents* (married spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21)

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Not ProvidedThe DDRA Fellowship award does not provide funds for:Research or related project activities conducted in the United StatesReimbursement for travel not approved by U.S. Department of EducationAny allowances for dependents not accompanying the fellow for the entire research periodTravel for dependentsTravel and expenses not directly related to the projectAll expenditures due to changes in the itinerary and/or grant agreementPassport, visas, photo, or other identifying documents for clearancePhysical examinations, immunizations, or other medical expensesTuition or other fees for study or projects conducted in the United StatesObligations not incurred within the grant periodGifts, stipend, salary, or monetary honoraria for research subjects, research assistants, etc.

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Reviewers

Peer reviewers are world area specialists in foreign languages and area studies from higher education institutions, government agencies, and non-government organizations throughout the United States. Peer reviewers determine technical scores in accordance with the competitive preference priorities, quality of the proposed project, and the qualifications of the applicant.

They will not necessarily be specialists in your discipline.

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Technical Review Criteria

Quality of Proposed Project (Max. 60 points)Qualifications of Applicants (Max. 40 points)

SUBTOTAL: 100 Points maximum

Competitive Priority 1: Geographic Region (3 points)Competitive Priority 2: Language (2 points)Competitive Priority 3: Field (5 points)

Invitational Priority: MSI (0 points)SUBTOTAL: 10 points

GRAND TOTAL: 110 points maximum

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Follow Application Format

•10 page narrative and 2 page bibliography (disqualified if over 10 pages!)•1 inch margins (do not squeeze margins!)•Double space text•Single space text in charts, tables, figures, graphs,

footnotes and endnotes •12 pt. font (except in charts)•Times New Roman, Courier, Courier New, or Arial

only

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Make the Most of the Experience

• Stay the maximum time possible.• Attend Fulbright Orientation.• Think about return timing (Do you need to get back for an

assistantship?)• Schedule other grants to extend your stay and maximize

awards.• Participate fully in the culture and share your work with the

country.

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Why Bother?

• Professionalization! This will prepare you to submit other grants.• You will polish your topic and finalize details.•Why not you?

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