Fulbright Grants

Timeline

CLASS of 2008 and GRADUATE & PROFESSIONAL STUDENTS

Mid- to late-April 2007:	Attend Fulbright Information Session for Graduate, Law and M.B.A. Students: Specific date & location TBA.

Mid- to late-April 2007:	Attend Fulbright Information Session for Undergraduate Students: Specific date & location TBA.

Spring 2007	Familiarize yourself with the application form, which is available online from the Institute of International Education (IIE) http://www.iie.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Fulbright_Demo_Site/U_S__Student_Program/Application_Center/Application_Center.htm. You are given access to the application form once you have completed the Fulbright registration process. For your application to be considered, you must submit it both electronically and in hard copy. Download and carefully review individual country and regional summaries for the 2004-2005 competition. Pay particular attention to the language and affiliation requirements, as well as to any other country-specific conditions. Since Fulbright requirements change very little from year to year, you do not need the current application in order to begin the application process. Start thinking about your plans and drafting the materials necessary for the campus application as early as possible to allow for reflection and revision.
	Consult the file of recently successful Duke Fulbright candidates. Applications from the 2002-2003 competition are on E-Reserve (type "Fulbright" in the "Instructor" field). Hardcopies of successful applications from previous years are held at the Perkins Library Circulation Desk. These essays will give you an idea of the range of successful proposals submitted in recent years. Be sure that you are reading essays corresponding to your academic level (e.g., graduating senior, Ph.D. student).
	Research academic programs abroad, including courses of study and degree programs (if applicable). Consult with faculty about suitable programs, universities or institutes, and make initial contacts with departments and faculty abroad. Note: the academic year at many universities in the northern hemisphere ends in May; faculty may be difficult to reach during June, July and August.
	Decide whether you wish to apply. If you do: Contact three referees who are willing to support your application. Select referees who will comment favorably, not only on your personal qualities, but on the merit and feasibility of your project, and your ability to complete it successfully. Get summer contact information for these referees. If the country in which you wish to study requires that you be formally affiliated with a recognized institution, ask scholars at such institutions for their advice and support for your project. A formal letter of affiliation will add great weight to your application.
Summer 2007	Draft your personal statement and project proposal.
	Give these drafts to the Fulbright Program Adviser, your referees, professors, mentors, and friends for comments.
	Revise your drafts in light of their feedback.
	Request your official transcript(s).
Tuesday, August 28, 2007	Attend the Fulbright information session: 4.30 - 6 pm in Franklin Center - Room 240, 2204 Erwin Road.
Early September 2007	Obtain foreign language evaluation(s) (if applicable).
	Obtain original letters of recommendation and affiliation (if applicable). Remember that faxed documents will not be accepted, even from referees and institutions overseas.

Monday, September 17, 2007	CAMPUS DEADLINE (4.00 pm) for receipt of all applications. Your hard-copy application and all supporting materials are due before or on Monday, September 17, 2007 (4.00 p.m.). They should be mailed to: Suman Bhatia, Duke University Center for International Studies, Box 90404, Duke University, Durham NC 27708-0404 OR hand-delivered on campus to: Suman Bhatia, Room 107, John Hope Franklin Center at 2204 Erwin Road. Three confidential letters of recommendation must also be submitted by this time. Hand-delivered letters of recommendation must be in sealed envelopes that are signed by the referee on the back flap.

Mid-September to Mid-October, 2007	CAMPUS INTERVIEWS for all applicants.

Late October, 2007	NATIONAL DEADLINE for receipt of all applications. The Duke Fulbright Adviser sends all applications, supporting materials, and institutional recommendations to the Institute of International Education (IIE) in New York City NY.

February 2008	Preliminary selection results announced. IIE informs applicants if they have advanced to the final (overseas) stage of the selection process.
March-June, 2008	Fulbright awardees announced. Notification dates vary greatly from country to country.

Research academic programs abroad, including courses of study and degree programs (if applicable). Consult with faculty about suitable programs, universities or institutes, and make initial contacts with departments and faculty abroad. Note: the academic year at many universities in the northern hemisphere ends in May; faculty may be difficult to reach during June, July and August.

Decide whether you wish to apply. If you do:

Enroll in courses that will help you satisfy any language requirement (if applicable). Fluency in the local language(s) will greatly increase your chances of selection.
Enroll in a Duke Semester Abroad Program. This will help you strengthen your language skills (if applicable), as well as give you valuable academic and institutional contacts. Note: the Fulbright Scholarship Board gives preference to applicants who have not had prior opportunity for extended study or residence abroad. Foreign study that is an integral part of the Duke curriculum (e.g. a junior year abroad) is not considered disqualifying.

If you wish to apply for a Fulbright Teaching Assistantship, your application would be strengthened considerably if you enroll in some education courses and if you volunteer to teach English to immigrant adults or children in the local community.

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