Writing Tips for the FulbrightHays Application
Shelley Hawthorne Smith
shellh@email.airzona.edu
Writing Tips
• Structure your narrative according to the
following technical review criteria.
– For the first section (“Quality of Proposed
Project”), create brief subheadings for each of the
six criteria.
– For the second section (“Qualifications of
Applicant”), you can create subheadings where
you think necessary or address all of the criteria in
one section.
Writing Tips
• Remember that you are writing for an
educated audience who specializes in the
particular geographic area in which you are
proposing to do research. Remember that
your audience may not be well acquainted
with your field but they are well acquainted
with your area. They want to fund projects
that will contribute to their particular area
studies.
Writing Tips
• Pay attention to the points allotted to each
criterion. This does not mean that equal space
should be dedicated to equal sections, but you
should pay equal attention to equal sections
as you write the draft.
Writing Tips
• Email an initial draft of the narrative to Shelley
Hawthorne Smith (shellh@email.arizona.edu)
and Georgia Ehlers
(gehlers@grad.arizona.edu) by July 12th.
Quality of Proposed Project
1. The statement of the major hypotheses to be
tested or questions to be examined and the
description and justification of the research
methods to be used. (10 points)
– Make sure that your hypotheses and questions are
succinctly and clearly stated near the beginning of
this section.
– Remember that these should be particular to the
geographic area you are studying. If you could
take your research and do it in another place, then
try to reframe your questions.
Quality of Proposed Project
2. The relationship of the research to the literature
on the topic and to major theoretical issues in the
field, and the project's originality and importance
in terms of the concerns of the discipline. (10
points)
– Remember that your audience may not be familiar
with your discipline. Make them aware that your
research is a “cog in an important pattern” (response
to Henson’s proposal).
– If you are aware of research/literature with which you
are not engaging, make a polite nod to it.
– If possible, include at least some research/literature
that is in the language of the area you are researching.
Quality of Proposed Project
3. The preliminary research already completed
in the United States and overseas or plans for
such research prior to going overseas, and the
kinds, quality and availability of data for the
research in the host country or countries. (10
points)
– Be specific and realistic (show that you are aware
of the opportunities and obstacles that exist).
Quality of Proposed Project
4. The justification for overseas field research,
and preparations to establish appropriate and
sufficient research contacts and affiliations
abroad. (10 points)
– Letters of support and recommendation should
reflect these contacts.
Quality of Proposed Project
5. The applicant's plans to share the results of
the research in progress and a copy of the
dissertation with scholars and officials of the
host country or countries. (10 points)
– Mention invitations, if you have them. Or, if you
don’t have them, suggest specific in-country
conferences, etc, at which you may present.
Quality of Proposed Project
6. The guidance and supervision of the dissertation
advisor or committee at all stages of the project,
including guidance in developing the project,
understanding research conditions abroad, and
acquainting the applicant with research in the field.
(10 points)
– Show the quality of your past relationship with your advisor.
– Give specific plans for staying in touch (i.e. “My advisor expects
monthly email updates on the data collection process. From
past experience, I know that she will respond within a week of
receiving my email.”)
– If relevant, explain how your research relates to the research
that your advisor does or has done in your geographic area.
Qualifications of Applicant
1. The overall strength of the applicant's graduate academic record.
(10 points)
2. The extent to which the applicant's academic record demonstrates a
strength in area studies relevant to the proposed project. (10
points)
3. The applicant's proficiency in one or more of the languages (other
than English and the applicant's native language) of the country or
countries of research, and the specific measures to be taken to
overcome any anticipated language barriers. (15 points)
– Even if you are fluent in the language, explain anticipated barriers and
how you will overcome them.
4. The applicant's ability to conduct research in a foreign cultural
context, as evidenced by the applicant's references or previous
overseas experiences, or both. (5 points)