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Georgetown Fulbrighter Spotlight

Adam Shaham (SFS'22)

Research: India

From Adam Shaham (SFS'22): "Mangroves are trees that grow along Mumbai's coastline. Mangrove forests absorb 8x the CO2 of any other ecosystem in the world and also protect Mumbai from ocean rise and monsoon flooding. They're often cut for coastal infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, and ports. On my grant, I'm using satellite imagery and geospatial analysis tools to examine three dozen mangrove restoration projects in Mumbai over the last decade." 

Application Suggestion:

"Don't be afraid to cold email when looking for affiliation! People love to hear from students interested in their work. Even if it isn't a match, they'll likely point you in the direction of someone who can help you. (Also what my project ended up being is not the project I proposed! It's version #4.) So if you're nervous to commit to an idea, know that you'll have flexibility once you arrive."

Advising Corner

AFFILIATION LETTERS FOR STUDY/RESEARCH AWARDS: 'START EARLY'

If you are applying for a study/research award, you must have at least one letter of affiliation. You can have more than one letter, but each must be appropriate and relevant to your proposed project.

OF NOTE

• In general, the letter of affiliation expresses ENTHUSIASTIC support for the project you are proposing, including its feasibility and validity, and outlines the resources (e.g., a work area, a computer, laboratory space, access to archives, making community connections) the affiliate site will assist you with during your project. 
• The individual or organization you will be engaging with most closely during your proposed grant should provide the affiliation letter for you.
• The affiliation letter – which is not confidential and which you will upload yourself in the application portal – must be written in English (or accurately translated to English). It must be printed on letterhead with a date and signature.
• If you are proposing a graduate-level degree for your Fulbright grant, the letter of affiliation is typically the acceptance letter from the graduate program. (Note: Your Fulbright grant depends on your being accepted to the graduate program, even if that letter of acceptance is not required by Fulbright’s October deadline.)

IMPORTANT

• Each country has its own affiliation requirements, including with whom Fulbrighters can affiliate in the particular location. Please closely read the country’s specific Fulbright landing page for its affiliation requirements.
• "All applicants are required to list a proposed affiliation, with some awards requiring a letter of affiliation to be submitted at the time of application. . . . Failure to submit a letter of affiliation for an award which requires one at the [October 10, 5 PM ET] national deadline may result in an application being deemed ineligible."

RESOURCES

• The above summary does not include all of the detail and requirements about affiliation letters. Please sign up for the June 20 "Finding an Affiliate" webinar, visit Fulbright’s website to watch a previously recorded “Finding an Affiliate” webinar, enroll in our Canvas course for affiliation information, and visit Fulbright's website for more detail about affiliations.
• As you are identifying possible affiliations, consult with professors and advisors at Georgetown, review who has been publishing in your interest area, and visit Fulbright's Alumni Ambassador Directory and Grantee Directory to identify Fulbrighters who have worked on a closely related project.
• Once you have secured an affiliation or likely interest from an affiliate site, please fill out this form if you wish the Center for Research & Fellowships to provide you with a letter that you can then send to your affiliation contact offering more context about what type of information is included in a Fulbright affiliation letter.

FROM FULBRIGHT

About affiliations: “Start early. Be bold in this process. Be bold, but be kind.”

About your proposal: “At the end of the day, we want to know: Are you the ideal person to do this project in the host country and how are you proving that in your application?”

It's a Fulbright Friday!