I dreamed of becoming a Fulbright Scholar during my time in higher education. Mostly for the opportunity to live abroad, research something unique, and get paid to do it! Back then, in The Before Times™️, living abroad seemed so far-fetched. A Fulbright could bridge my work life and personal love of travel together. Now, on the other side of academia, I travel full-time as a traveling scholarpreneur, but I’ve always yearned for the Fulbright experience. And recently, I discovered there are international fellowships for Independent Scholars, including the Fulbright. What a world!
Related Post: A Week In The Life Of A Traveling Scholarpreneur
This revelation came at a perfect time – I am at a crossroads in my business and professional life. I want to move forward, but the many trials of entrepreneurship is not for the weary. So here I am.
Applying for International Fellowships for Independent Scholars
My decision to apply for government-supported fellowships stems from a few other things too. I attended the Public Communication of Science and Technology Symposium (PCST) in Zacatecas, Mexico in April 2024. It reminded me how much I love being immersed in knowledge. I was inspired and yearned to learn more about science communication and public engagement.
Related Post: Unpacking Science Communication at the PCST Mexico Symposium: A Reflection on Language, Reflexivity, and Praxis
I’m also looking to build more credibility for my business. I want to deepen my understanding of this field and learn alongside others doing the work, studying it, and teaching it.
I thought it’d be fun and informative to document the process as I apply for a few fellowships. This is mostly because I could not find much information or resources. I reached out on social media for insights to no avail. It was challenging to find information specifically for Independent Scholars not associated with universities or term positions.
So here I am, embarking on this fellowship journey. I’ll be sharing my experiences, from the perspective of a U.S. citizen applying for international fellowships for Independent Scholars, hoping it might help other U.S.-based scholars interested in similar opportunities.
International Fellowships for Independent Scholars
The Fullbright Scholar Program
The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program, established in 1946, is the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program. It provides U.S. scholars, including independent researchers, the opportunity to teach, conduct research, or carry out professional projects abroad. The program aims to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries. I am specifically looking at the Fullbright Scholar Award, but there are a few other options.
If you are an Independent Scholar interested in this fellowship, a few things to consider:
- The career profile is under professionals, defined as those who have more than seven years of experience in a particular profession.
- You can opt to teach, conduct research, a combination of the two, or carry out professional projects as an Independent Scholar. Each award will dictate what the country and/or host university is looking for.
The deadline for the Fullbright is 16 September 2024.
British Academy Visiting Fellowship
In addition to the Fullbright, I am applying to the British Academy Visiting Fellowship. The British Academy’s Visiting Fellowship program provides international academics the opportunity to conduct research at United Kingdom institutions. This fellowship is open to academics from any country outside the UK and is available for all career stages in humanities and social sciences. The eligibility criteria is similar to the Fullbright, except there does not appear to be any minimal requirement for Independent Scholars related to professional experience.
A few things to note here: You must be based outside the UK to apply for this fellowship. Applicants already living, working or researching substantially in the UK are not eligible.
The deadline for the British Academy Visting Fellowship is 23 October 2024.
My Journey: From PhD to Independent Scholar
Professional Journey
Upon completing my PhD studies at the University of Louisville (#gocards), I worked for an R1 institution in the U.S. for about 4 years. I’ve taught, published, and presented. And I didn’t love it.
Part of the reason why I left higher education was because I felt like my work was not impactful. This is what drove me in research communication – the ability to support scholars who can and are willing to take the leap to expand their research impact beyond academic books, journals, and conferences. My ultimate goal is to empower individual scholars to participate in public engagement.
Today, I am a social entrepreneur, helping academics amplify their research impact. I am a communications trainer and consultant for scholars, researchers, thought leaders, and academic communities.
Everything I know about research communication comes from self-directed learning – reading and attending free workshops and seminars. My background in the private sector in marketing and public relations helped inform the work I do today along with my time in higher education.
Learning and Collaboration Goals
I did not formally learn about public engagement or science communication during my PhD or on the tenure track. It wasn’t until I started my entrepreneurial journey in 2021 that I discovered this field. Since then, I’ve immersed myself into the research and practice of research communication, writing about it, and attending conferences like PCST Zacatecas.
Now, I’m searching for international fellowships for Independent Scholars to learn in a focused, high-level environment alongside experienced researchers and PhD students. My goal is to bridge theory and practice in my business and help advance this field in the U.S., particularly in social sciences and humanities. I want to help each scholar and researcher recognize their capacity to publicly engage by empowering them to tap into their strong communication skills.
Ultimately, I’m on a quest to learn, collaborate, and secure financial support to further my goals in research communication.
What I Want To Do
While much of the science communication I’ve encountered centers on hard sciences, I’m particularly interested in the social sciences and humanities. I’m looking for international fellowships for Independent Scholars to explore:
- Developing training programs for researchers and graduate students
- Expanding the practice of reflexive communication
- Exploring university infrastructure that supports public engagement
- Investigating incentive structures around public engagement
- Professionalization of science communication
- Motivations behind practicing public engagement
- Bridging applied practices with theory
- Centralized and decentralized training/support programs within universities
The international fellowships for Independent Scholars require some form of research or professional project output. I’m approaching this with flexibility, to adapt to the program’s needs while ensuring my goals are met. I have a few loose project ideas in mind to discuss with a potential host university. I also did not want to be too ridged due to timing. Some of the fellowship awards won’t start for 8-18 months from August 2024.
Where I Want to Go
Both of these international fellowships for Independent Scholars require the applicant to find a host institution to sponsor you, making this process a bit more complicated. And no, the fellowship programs will not be assisting you in making this connection. Lots of moving parts!
While my research isn’t strictly location-dependent, I’m drawn to countries with strong public engagement infrastructures. I’m curious to explore these systems and consider how similar models might work in the U.S.
I am more focused on finding the right program than on a specific country or city. The quality of the fellowship and its alignment with my goals are my primary concerns. Location, while important, is secondary to the opportunity itself. But there are a few countries and regions I am eying.
United Kingdom
The UK was my top choice. Over the years, I’ve noticed numerous organizations and programs in the UK, suggesting a robust system for public engagement in research. The country seems to have a centralized, well-supported structure that spans the entire nation. This impression made the UK particularly attractive to me.
Australia/New Zealand
Oceania also caught my attention. I’ve seen some impressive work coming from that region, and it’s definitely on my radar as a potential destination. There is no place on earth more terrifying to me than Australia (see: kangaroo punching people, giant bugs, Mad Max), but I am warming up to the idea.
Latin America
Latin America has a vibrant science and research communication scene. Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil have robust science communication programs with large faculties and working relationships with practitioners. However, my Spanish isn’t at a professional level. And I do not know Portuguese. I’m concerned that choosing a non-English speaking country might limit both my ability to contribute and the host university’s ability to fully benefit from my visit. But I also know how rich of an experience this could be, especially after living in Mexico City for a year. I will reach out to a few contacts in the PCST network to find a final answer on any English-friendly programs.
Related Post: Mexico City for the Traveling Scholarpreneur
Next Steps and Updates
I am excited to share my experience applying for international fellowships for Independent Scholars. I hope the process yields success, or else it might be a bit embarrassing. But I also hope this helps other Independent Scholars interested in exploring either (or both!) of these fellowships.
Beyond this, if you want to learn more about research communications, higher ed, writing retreats, and a dash of travel, sign up for our newsletter – From Published to Public!
Looking for information about other international fellowships for independent scholars? Check out my previous posts in this series about the Fulbright application process.
Life After Academia: Exploring International Fellowships for Independent Scholars
International Fellowships for Independent Scholars: Finding a Host Institution
Solidifying A Host Institution for International Fellowships for Independent Scholars
Starting the Application Process: International Fellowships for Independent Scholars
Writing the Application: International Fellowships for Independent Scholars
International Fellowships for Independent Scholars: Racing to the British Academy Deadline
