Tips on writing the Curriculum Vitae

-- The Fulbright C.V. is NOT a resume or curriculum vitae in the traditional sense. Instead, it is a personal/intellectual biography, written in narrative form that should give the screening committee a clear picture of who you are as an individual. Keep in mind that there is no standard "blueprint" for a successful C.V., so candidates are free to craft their statements however they wish, and include any information that they see fit in order to give the best sense of how they came to be the person that they are, and how they developed their current (intellectual) interests and goals.

-- Candidates who may have had a period of poor academic performance may also choose to address the reason(s) for this in their C.V. This may help to offset any doubts that might be raised by a subpar semester or academic year, as reflected on the transcript.

Tips on writing the "Statement of Proposed Research or Study"

Before you beginÖ.
The best proposals begin with good ideas. Start by putting your ideas on paper, and list the goals and objectives of your project. Share your ideas with your Fulbright Program Adviser, your academic adviser and professional colleagues in your field. As you work on your proposal, consider the following questions and remember your audience. Avoid discipline-specific jargon. The individuals reading your proposal prefer you get to the point about the "who, what, when, where, why and how" of the project. In a direct and persuasive manner address the following:

1. With whom do you propose to work?
2. What do you propose to do? What is exciting, new or unique about your project? What contribution will the project make to the Fulbright objective of promoting cross-cultural interaction and mutual understanding?
3. When will you carry out your study or research? Include a timeline.
4. Where do you propose to conduct your study or research? Why is it important to go abroad to carry out your project?
5. Why do you want to do it? What is important or significant about the project?
6. How will you carry out your work? All students should discuss methodology and goals in their statements. How will it help further your academic or professional development?

Is the project feasibleÖ
You must also demonstrate that the research strategy is feasible, including its time frame.

How will the culture and politics of the host country impact your work?

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?

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? Have you received all of the necessary permissions from local authorities? Is your language facility adequate? If not, how will you accomplish your work?

In other words, if there could be any question regarding the feasibility of your project or your background or ability to conduct the project, address the issue directly. Enrolled students are urged to consult professors in their major fields and their FPAs about the feasibility of their proposed projects. At-large applicants should consult qualified persons in their fields.

Teaching Assistantship Applications
Students applying for teaching assistant positions are not expected to present extensive research plans. Rather, they should describe for the reviewers:

1. Why they would like to undertake a teaching assistant assignment.
2. What their qualifications are and what experiences they have had which relate to the overseas assignment.
3. How they expect to benefit from the assignment and what use they will make of the experience upon their return to the U.S.
4. What use they will make of their time outside the classroom. (Most TAs work no more than 20 hours per week.)

A bibliography?
Since applicantís Statements can not exceed two pages, a formal bibliography is not necessary; however, if background data is provided it is appropriate to briefly cite sources, within the two pages.

A final wordÖ.
Organize your statement carefully. Donít make reviewers search for information. We urge you to have several people read and critique your Statement including a faculty adviser, a faculty member outside your discipline, a fellow student, and/or a colleague. It would be ideal to have a host country academic/artist review your proposal for refinement and issues of host country sensitivity/security.