What Is It?
As part of your application for many nationally competitive scholarships and fellowships, you will need to submit a project proposal or statement of proposed academic program. The focus of this document will depend on the specific award or opportunity you are applying for. Generally, these documents are only 1-2 pages long. The final product must be concise, direct, and persuasive. The reviewers should be convinced that you are able to plan and complete a feasible research project or course of study within the duration of the scholarship or fellowship. It should also be clear how your plans fit into the overall mission of the specific scholarship. Your document should address the following questions:
Where do you want to go and why does it need to be in that country and institution?
- Be specific as to location(s) and the reasoning behind your choices.
- What are the core questions you want to answer?
- What is the rationale behind your choice of questions?
- Why do you need to be in the proposed location to complete the work?
- Is there anything new about what you are proposing or is it building upon work done by others previously?
- What challenges do you anticipate as you carry out the research or coursework? How will you address those issues?
- Do you require any special skills tor preparation to undertake this work?
- What contribution will this project make to promoting cross-cultural understanding? (Especially true for Fulbright)
- Create an approximate timeline for yourself that is feasible and flexible enough to accommodate problems or delays when you are working in the field.
- Which individual or institution will serve as your mentor or affiliation?
- What documentation has been provided to establish this relationship?
- What resources or help will be provided?
- Why is that individual or institution the best resource for you?
- What specific methodology will you employ?
- What are your objectives?
- What are the outcomes or results you expect?
- Do you require any special permission or approval to carry out this work in the host country? If so, how will you obtain it?
- How will you document the work and your experiences?
- How will this project or coursework help you further your academic and professional goals?
- Is your approach similar or different from any work done previously in this area?
- How does the information you gather advance knowledge in the field?
- How will you share this information once you have returned to the U.S.?
- How do you propose to pay for additional materials or equipment that is not covered by the grant? (If applicable)
- Why is this project and/or course of study important to you?
- What is significant or timely about the project ?
- Why would this project or course of study be important to your mentor or the host institution, and the host country ? What about your home institution and the U.S.