Applying for a Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching Research

That was my social media post on February 12, 2023. How did I get here? I was at a point where I needed to grow and the pain of being stagnant as a learner was powerful. I found myself looking for opportunities to expand my skill set and pursue my interest in public education. In 2017 I was fortunate to be chosen as a delegate to present at the Axis Global Education Summit in South Africa, and to collaborate with the Leap Science and Maths Schools, by the Casten Family Foundation. In the months that led up to this experience and the years since I have shared many meaningful conversations about global action to improve education worldwide. Several times the impact of Fulbright scholars came up in conversations. Those conversations provided my first real understanding of the Fulbright program. Tom Casten mentioned to me in passing that if I ever found myself interested I should apply...

Here we are. I spent December learning about the different programs including their potential for impact and the commitment required. I decided I really want to gain a better understanding of how Finland promotes teaching as a profession among Finnish youth. My hope is that I could bring some of their strategies back to help promote the profession in the United States. So I submitted a proposal for the Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching Research.

This is the first time I have ever submitted a Fulbright proposal. I did my research and looked for studies that addressed my area of interest and particularly what data was lacking from the research. Then I began writing out my ideas, I shared my thoughts with friends, family, and colleagues. I sought feedback and revised my proposal several times before submitting it. I asked for references from people who knew my teaching as well as my experiences working with diverse populations along with my passion for personal growth and the public education system.

Once the proposal was submitted in February I tried to forget about it. In April I received an email saying I was a semi-finalist! I began joining Fulbright social media groups and reading more about Finland and the amazing relationship between the Fulbright groups in the two countries. In the email it said we may or may not receive a request for an interview from Fulbright Finland. I know it also said an interview was not an indication of proposal awards. I never had an interview and the wait was excruciating! I began to check social media groups weekly hoping to hear anything about a timeline. We should hear by late Spring was all we were told and a past recipient said she found out May 31 at 7pm... so I waited and waited... and finally...

On June 13 I received this email...

Dear Dawn,

Congratulations! We are excited to inform you that you have been selected as a participant for the 2023-2024 Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching Research Program (Fulbright DA), a program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by IREX.

Here we are... a Fulbright DA in Teaching Research participant and I couldn't be more excited to have this opportunity! This blog will follow my experiences throughout the process and as a Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching Research participant. Thank you for sharing this experience with me!

The author of this website/blog/etc. is a participant of the Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Research Program (Fulbright DA), a program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by IREX. The views and information presented are the participant's own and do not represent the U.S.