Fulbright Program Adviser
Newsletter

Preparing an Application in the Creative, Performing or Visual Arts

The Fulbright Program encourages applications for study or training in the creative, performing and visual arts. Applications in all fields in over 150 Fulbright countries are welcome. Candidates should be thoroughly familiar with the Individual Country Summary and requirements for the country they wish to apply to.

Proposals in the arts should focus on formal training and/or independent study in specific disciplines. Applicants should, in their project statements, indicate the following: the reasons for choosing a particular country, nature of their study, form their work will take and whether it involves formal study at an institution, with an individual, or independent study. In their project statements, applicants should relate their current training to the study they plan to undertake abroad, the expected results of the study or training, and the contribution the foreign experience will have on their professional development.

Applicants must indicate host country affiliations and, where possible, provide letters of support from the individual or institution with whom or where they plan to carry out their study. While sources of support/affiliation are country specific, they may also include organizations such as museums, music groups, galleries, etc.

Candidates in the arts should be aware that their applications and supplementary materials will be reviewed by a discipline-specific committee of experts. Special care should be taken when identifying the appropriate field of study in the application; it should be germane to the focus of the proposed project. The discipline-specific committees in the creative, performing and visual arts include: Architecture; Creative Writing; Dance & Performance Art; Design; Filmmaking; Music Composition & Conducting; Photography; Piano; Organ & Harpsichord; Theater, including Acting, Directing and Costume/Set Design; Ethnomusicology, Sculpture & Installation Art, Painting & Printmaking, String Instruments, including Cello, Double Bass, Guitar, Harp, Lute, Viola, and Violin; Voice; Wind Instruments, including Bassoon, Clarinet, Euphonium, Flute, French Horn, Oboe, Percussion, Piccolo, Recorder, Saxophone, Trombone, Trumpet and Tuba.

The members of the discipline-specific screening committees in the arts can be working professionals, working/teaching professionals or full-time arts faculty at academic institutions or teachers at art and music conservatories in the U.S. They will be reviewing applications and supplementary materials in their respective fields for all Fulbright countries.

The supplementary materials should support the proposed study. In submitting supplementary materials in support of the application, please refer to your discipline in the Instructions for Submitting Materials in the Creative and Performing Arts for specifications on the materials required. Materials not specifically requested will not be reviewed.

While the quality of the supplementary material submitted in support of the written application is extremely important, candidates in the arts should be aware that members of the screening committees will also be extremely interested in the applicant’s training and preparation to carry out the proposed project. Therefore, previous formal study, training or experience is important.

Projects should focus on practical training or performance studies. Candidates should outline a study for which their previous study background compliments and supports the proposed project and will add to their professional training and development.

Applicants whose projects emphasize academic research over practical training should apply in the academic field appropriate to the nature of the project (e.g. Architectural History, Art History, Film Studies, Theater Studies, etc.) and not submit supplementary material.

Tips to Offer Fulbright Candidates

After carefully researching and planning a relevant, feasible and rewarding Fulbright project, the next important step is producing persuasive and high quality documents for your application. The process of writing and revision is key to not only submitting a great application, but to refining and clarifying your goals and objectives along the way as well.

It is advisable to include as many different people in this process as possible: the most critical person you know (academics and parents are often good for this); the most creative person you know (someone who thinks outside of the box); the most competent and accomplished people you know (both in your field and outside); and the best writer that you know (an English teacher can also be helpful as long as you don’t mind having grammatical minutiae critiqued).

It is also advisable to have at least three sets of eyes look at everything you submit, but not necessarily the same eyes for all documents. All of them can use the following Checklists as a guide:

Statement of Proposed Research or Study Checklist

The Statement should demonstrate that you are able to plan and implement a successful research project or course of study, and it will be your guide to completing it and meeting your objectives. It should be as specific as possible, while also being flexible enough to make the best of the reality you will find once you arrive overseas, which will inevitably be a little different than planned.

Overall, is the Statement persuasive, direct, concise and easy to read? Short (three or four-line) paragraphs are very effective!

• Does it emphasize the relevance and significance of the project from start to finish?
• Does the first paragraph answer who, what, when, where, why and how?
• Do the next paragraphs detail what you propose to do and how you will do it?
• Is the timeline realistic and specific? Does it include any pre- and post-grant plans?
• Are there clearly defined achievable goals, objectives (the activities/steps to reach your goals), concrete outcomes, and measurable results?
• Does the proposal fit within the context of your experience and skills? Save the details for your Personal Statement.
• Are the methodology and activities comprehensive, relevant, appropriate, feasible, and approved/approvable if necessary?
• Does the Statement describe with whom you will work, why, and the support that they have offered to give you in their letter of support/affiliation/invitation?
• Does it demonstrate why the project or study needs to be in the country selected, the resources the country provides, and how it will benefit from your work there?
• Does it highlight what contribution the project will make in promoting cross-cultural interaction and mutual understanding, including how it will impact the U.S?
• Does it demonstrate a commitment to engage with the host country community through volunteer and extra-curricular activities?
• Does it clearly explain your future plans and how your work will help further your academic or professional development?
• Does the closing paragraph re-emphasize what you will achieve and what makes your project exciting, necessary and unique?

Your Personal Statement (PS) should narrate your personal and intellectual development. It should show how your proposal is the next logical and necessary step in your life, and how you are qualified to carry it out. It is your opportunity to illustrate what a unique and exceptional individual you are!

• Overall, is your PS interesting and easy to read? Does it show, rather than tell, who you are?
• Does your PS demonstrate your motivation and ability to work independently?
• Does it show who you are, and make the reader want to know you better?
• Do you demonstrate your experience and interest in intercultural learning and sharing?
• Do you repeat information included in other parts of your application? Omit them unless they are necessary for further explanation or emphasis.

Reference Letters

Yes, we know that you won’t write your own reference letter. But we also know that references will often request that you at least indicate what you want the letter to say, if not to draft a letter that they can edit, print on their letterhead and sign. At the very least, you should provide a summary of your proposal, qualifications, goals and your relevant experience, especially in terms of work you have done with them.

• Do the details in the letter match facts repeated elsewhere on the application? Dates, titles, etc?
• Does the letter indicate how you are prepared and able to carry out your proposed project?
• Does the letter highlight your best qualities and accomplishments? Don’t be modest!
• Does the letter give examples of how you have taken initiative, managed your time, and worked well cooperatively and/or independently?
• Does the letter speak to your emotional and intellectual maturity and ability to adapt, live and even thrive in a foreign culture?

Critical Language Enhancement Awards

The Critical Language Enhancement Award provides an opportunity for Fulbright U.S. Student Program grantees to receive three to six months of intensive language study in addition to their research or study grants. Approximately 150 awards will be available for 2009-2010 Fulbright U.S. Student Program grantees. Only select languages and host countries are available for this opportunity; a full list and application details can be found here.

The award is also sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and is part of the National Security Language Initiative (NSLI). NSLI is designed to increase the number of Americans acquiring critical need foreign languages, through new and expanded programs, from kindergarten to the university level to entrance into the workforce. Critical need foreign languages include: Arabic, Chinese, Korean and Russian, as well as the Persian, Turkic, and Indic language families. Foreign language skills are essential for understanding and engaging with foreign governments and peoples, as well as conveying respect for other cultures - especially in critical world regions.

The Fulbright experience has always focused on cross-cultural exchange and dialogue. Therefore, the Critical Language Enhancement Award is a useful addition to the Fulbright Program in order to promote these goals. Fulbright grantees capable of communicating in the local language in their host countries are likely to form stronger bonds with their peers, conduct more meaningful research, and develop a greater understanding of a foreign culture. The experience grantees bring home after their Critical Language Enhancement Award and Fulbright grant will serve them in their chosen careers and throughout their lives.

Language Instruction and Requirements

Language instruction is the central purpose of the Critical Language Enhancement Award, and the policies of the award have been developed accordingly. Generally, recipients may opt for formal classroom instruction or private tutoring - or a combination of the two. However, it is preferred that most of the language training is received through classroom instruction. All language instruction, including formal courses and private tutors, must be approved by the local Fulbright Commission/Foundation or U.S. Embassy. Language award applicants are welcome to propose new language programs and/or private tutors, however, approval is not guaranteed. A minimum of twenty hours of formal classroom instruction or ten hours of private tutoring per week is required for all recipients. If recipients are participating in a combination of formal classroom instruction and private tutoring, the number of hours per week must be in proportion to the minimum requirements. For example, if a recipient wanted a combination of formal classroom instruction and private tutoring, he or she could enroll in twelve hours per week of classroom instruction and four hours per week of private tutoring to fulfill the minimum instruction requirements.

Application

The application is within the Fulbright U.S. Student Program grant application. The following forms must be included in the Fulbright U.S. Student grant application for consideration for the Crictical Language Enhancement Award:

• Form 7B: Critical Language Enhancement Award Supplementary Statement
• Form 7A: Language Background Report
• Form 8: Foreign Language Report
• (Optional) Applicants may indicate additional merit for this award in their project statement.

For Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Russian, Turkish and Urdu, recipients are required to have completed a minimum of one year of study or its equivalent in the proposed language prior to departure. The equivalent of one year of language study includes: a summer of intensive language study, two semesters of study, or a year of private tutoring. If the applicant will be completing the prerequisite language study after submission of the Fulbright application, the proposed study must be detailed in Form 7A. None of the Critical Language Enhancement Award study period can be counted as part of the total year of study on a Fulbright grant. Fulbright U.S. Student Program grantees who have applied for a Critical Language Enhancement Award are not guaranteed a language award. Therefore, applicants must demonstrate that they will be able to carry out the Fulbright research or study grant project without receipt a Critical Language Enhancement Award. Awards are issued based on the recommendations of selection committees with final approval granted by the Fulbright Commission/Foundation or U.S. Embassies in the receiving countries.

Fulbright English Teaching Assistants (ETAs) to Russia and Turkey are eligible for the Critical Language Enchancement Award. Due to scheduling constraints, all ETAs with a Critical Language Enhancement Award to Russia must complete their language study concurrent with their Fulbright grant periods. ETAs to Turkey should undertake two months of intensive study, prior to beginning their grants, followed by one to four months of concurrent study. Fulbright Program Advisers are encouraged to check the website regularly for current information on the Critical Language Enchancement Award.

Award Schedules and Duration

The schedule and duration of the language award is proposed by the applicant. A minimum of three months and a maximum of six months of intensive language training are required for successful completion of the Critical Language Enhancement Award. Two scheduling options are available for fulfilling the award.

Option A takes place separately from the Fulbright grant and requires a minimum of three months and maximum of six months of intensive language training - prior to and separate from - the Fulbright award. In some cases, this will require grantees to receive visas for more than one year. In cases when Fulbright grantees’ projects are focused primarily on language study, the Critical Language Enhancement Award may be completed after the Fulbright grant. This exception is only available in those countries that allow Fulbright projects that are primarily language study.

Sample Schedule: a Critical Language Enhancement Award to Egypt, using six months of intensive study prior to the Fulbright award:

• September 1, 2009 to February 28, 2010: Critical Language Enhancement Award: intensive study at the Kalimat Language and Cultural Centre
• March 1, 2010 to November 30, 2010: Fulbright Full Grant period

Option B has two parts; intensive study prior to and separate from the Fulbright grant followed by language study concurrent with the Fulbright grant. This option requires a minimum of two months of intensive language study prior to beginning the Fulbright grant, followed by a maximum of four months of language study concurrent with the Fulbright grant. During the period of concurrent study, funding will be provided for 10 hours of private tutoring per week. Living stipends for the period of intensive study prior to the Fulbright grant will be funded by Critical Language Enhancement Award. No living stipends or additional funding, beyond tuition expenses, will be provided during the period of concurrent study.

Sample Schedule: a Critical Language Enhancement Award for two months of study prior to the Fulbright award and four months of tutoring concurrent with the Fulbright award in Turkey:

• July 1, 2009 to August 31, 2009: Critical Language Enhancement Award: intensive study at the Tomer Institute
• September 1, 2009 to January 31, 2010: 10 hours weekly of private tutoring under the Critical Language Enhancement Award simultaneously with the Fulbright project
• September 1, 2009 to May 31, 2010: Fulbright Grant period

Applicants should consider language institution schedules, visas, and other local or Fulbright grant-related constraints when determining the proposed duration of the Critical Language Enhancement Award. The local Fulbright Commission/Foundation or U.S. Embassy is responsible for final approval of proposed Critical Language Enhancement Award schedules and holds the right to alter proposed schedules. Please refer to the Participating Country Summaries for additional information on constraints or requirements.

Additional Requirements and Contact Information

To receive a Critical Language Enhancement Award, the following policies and requirements must be followed in addition to those described above.

• The host country for the Fulbright grant and Critical Language Enhancement Award must be the same except for specified countries.
• A commitment to continued study of the language throughout the Fulbright grant period and into their future academic or professional lives.

Applicants for Fulbright U.S. Student grants to eligible countries should consider applying for a Critical Language Enhancement Award. This award provides an excellent opportunity for language training as well as cultural exchange and immersion. Applicants with additional questions, concerns, or general inquires should contact Cara Wolinsky; cwolinsky@iie.org or (212) 984-5366.

Additional Language Training Opportunity

Another program under the NSLI, the Critical Language Scholarships for Intensive Summer Language Institutes provides opportunities for short-term language study. This program is also sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and is administered by the Council for American Overseas Research Centers (CAORC).

The NSLI encourages past participants to apply for further NSLI-sponsored programs, however, one cannot participate in both a Critical Language Enhancement Award and an Intensive Summer Language Institute scholarship within the same academic year.