Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Fellowship

The Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Program provides grants to colleges and universities to fund individual doctoral students who conduct research in other countries, in modern foreign languages and area studies (topics focused on Western Europe countries are ineligible) for periods of 6 to 12 months. Students may propose research in multiple countries.

Eligibility Requirements

Graduate students in doctoral programs in the fields of foreign languages and area studies are eligible for this opportunity. PhD candidates must also be:

• A citizen or national of the United States or permanent resident of the United States;
• In strong academic standing and who, when the fellowship begins, is admitted to candidacy in a doctoral program in modern foreign languages and area studies;
• Planning a teaching career in the United States upon graduation; and
• Possesses adequate skills in the language(s) necessary to carry out the dissertation project.

For more information on eligibility, including expenses covered by the award, please visit the Fulbright Hays website. A pre-recorded webinar that details the application and review process can also be accessed here.

Application Process

GW Campus Review Deadline: 17 January 2025, 11:59 pm
Campus Deadline: 28 January 2025, 9:00 am
National Deadline: 29 January 2025, 11:59 pm

** All application materials must be submitted by the Campus Deadline. There are no exceptions. This allows us to ensure all student applications and institutional forms are complete and submitted by the national deadline.

These applications require a considerable amount of time, effort, and coordination. Students interested in applying to the DDRA program must notify the Office of Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships as soon as possible. Please submit the following information to Isabelle Giuttari ([email protected]): 

• Full name and GWID
• Degree program and year of study
• Dissertation advisor
• Title of proposed research project
• Proposed host countries

Application Process

Applicants must submit through the G5 website and our application portal for document review.

• Campus Review: OGSAF Fellowship Portal
• Campus Deadline: upload application to the G5 System
• The DDRA Program Director submits all applications on behalf of students.

Application Materials

• CV
• Project Description/application Narrative
• Application Bibliography
• Language Reference Form for each language needed to conduct research outlined
• Three Reference Forms
• Transcripts
• Letters of Affiliation
• IRB Human Subjects Narrative: You will need to complete the IRB narrative if you may be working with human subjects and may need IRB approval.

Technical Review

Below is a rubric of how your application will be evaluated by Fulbright-Hays. To optimize the strength of your application, make sure your application narrative addresses all the components listed below. It is recommended that you answer all these components in the order listed.

Quality of Proposed Project (max 63 points)

1. Hypothesis Statement/Research Questions (20 points): 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.
2. Theoretical Issues, Originality, Literature (10 points): 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.
3. Preliminary Research (10 points): 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.
4. Justification for Overseas Research (10 points): The justification for overseas field research, and preparations to establish appropriate and sufficient research contacts and affiliations abroad.
5. Dissemination Plan (3 points): The applicant’s plan 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. (5 points)
6. Guidance and Supervision from Advisor/Committee (10 points): 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)

Qualifications of the Applicant (max 37 points)

1. Applicant’s Academic Record (10 points): The overall strength of the applicant’s graduate academic record.
2. Applicant’s Academic Strength in Area Studies (10 points): The extent to which the applicant’s academic record demonstrates a strength in area studies relevant to the proposed project.
3. Applicant’s Language Proficiency (10 points): 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.
4. Applicant’s Academic Strength and Language Learning Progress (5 points): The extent to which the applicant’s academic record demonstrates steps taken to further improve advanced language proficiency to overcome any anticipated language barriers relative to the proposed research project.
5. Applicant’s Ability to Conduct Research Overseas (2 points): 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.

Subtotal: 100 points maximum

Competitive Priority 1: Language (2 points)
Competitive Priority 2: Field (2 points)
Competitive Priority 3: Minority-serving Institution (2 points)

Subtotal: 6 points maximum

Grand total: 106 maximum points

Contacts

Project Director: Autumn Anthony
Fellowship Advisor: Isabelle Giuttari

G5 Website Help Desk

OGSAF is unable to help with any technical problems related to G5. Please contact their help desk for support.

Hours Of Operation: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM EST, Monday - Friday, except on Federal holidays.
Toll-Free:1-888-336-8930
TTY:1-800-877-8339
Local:202-401-6238
Email: [email protected]

Additional Resources

Application Webinar Recording

The International and Foreign Language Education (IFLE) Office of the U.S. Department of Education presented an application technical assistance webinar for the Fiscal Year 2023 Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad (DDRA) Program.

DDRA Fellow Alumni Panel Discussion and Application Tips Recording