I intend on applying for the 2012-2013 academic year, and the deadline is relatively soon, September 2011. The application process is quite extensive in both time and work. Here is what I have ready for the application so far:
- Target country
- 3 faculty references
- A list of potential affiliates within the target country
For the last one, I'm in the process of finding the most tactful and reliable way of contacting these affiliates. I believe this will be the most stressful part of the application process.
Other components I need to have ready for the application are:
- The application form itself, which I started last week
- Statement of purpose, which shouldn't be difficult as I have already written a final project that is directly related to this grant
- Personal statement, which shouldn't be difficult except for confining it to one page
- Language report form. The self-evaluation will be easy, but the foreign language evaluation may prove humbling.
- Transcripts, which are very easy to get as I am on campus
Upon satisfactory completion of my comprehensive exams in Spring 2012, plan A is living and researching in the target country under a Fulbright grant for the duration of 10 months starting in August 2012.
Plan B is living, working, and researching in an alternative target country for 3 years with 2 of those years dedicated to research and the third to finish up the working contract and apply for university jobs in the United States. I will implement this plan if I am denied a Fulbright grant for the 2012-2013 academic year, however I will reapply for the 2013-2014 academic year as I have 1 more year of financial support to stay in Iowa City.
Plan C is living, researching, and most likely working in a third target country for 1-2 years, hopefully in the sister university of the University of Iowa. This plan will be implemented if I am denied a second time by Fulbright and I was unsuccessful in obtaining a job in the second target country. I have plans beyond C, but I am confident that I need not go beyond plan C.
Three weeks ago, I thought I would be taking comprehensive exams in Fall 2012, thus making plan A start a year later. So when I heard from my advisor that it was possible to comp earlier, my long-term planning suddenly became short-term planning. It took me about a week to be comfortable with this change. My wife was the most delighted person to hear about this change as we wouldn't need another year of living off student loans.
