You won’t believe this. I barely do. Two emails. Two calls. Two host institutions. Just like that, my journey to apply for international fellowships for independent scholars is off to the races.
Here’s how it went down:
Solidifying the Host Institution for International Fellowships for Independent Scholars
British Academy Visiting Fellowship
Mid-July 2024, I shot my shot and reached out to an institution in the United Kingdom for the British Academy Visiting Fellowship. Thankfully, the first university I contacted was almost immediately receptive. We scheduled a call, and I spoke with one of the program directors. I was so happy to hear back from them as they ended up being my top university choice for this fellowship.
The call was fantastic. We chatted about:
- My background and interests
- The program’s history
- Projects that align with what I’m into
- Faculty members working in this space
- A project they’re working on that could mesh with my interests
We dove into the field’s dynamic nature and the countless opportunities for further exploration. Before the meeting, I made sure to review the fellowship notes again to understand what was included and what the program would need to do. We went over some of these elements, like the budget and application process. The contact had experience with similar fellowship applications and offered advice on how we could all collaborate on developing the materials. She asked me to double-check with the agency before starting the application, which I did. All clear!
Related Post: International Fellowships for Independent Scholars: Finding a Host Institution
Fulbright US Scholar Program
For the Fulbright, I set my sights on New Zealand. I struck gold with one spot-on program. I sent an email similar to the British Academy one, outlining my background, interests, and a bit about the fellowship. They responded, looping in another person from the department. After a bit of back-and-forth, we scheduled a call.
During our chat, we talked about my interests in their program and their history with fellowships (to set expectations). But then the contact expressed her excitement when she saw my email and background. Our work aligns almost perfectly, hers from the theoretical POV and mine from the practical POV.
She shared more about her research, information about a research granting center that funds some of their projects, and a few upcoming projects that would align with the fellowship timeline. Her research interests and the various projects aligned almost directly with my interests. It was meant to be.
We have so much to learn from each other. She shared tons of websites and literature for me to review to get better acquainted with their work and projects. We wrapped up the call with a few action items… primarily for me to get my shit together and start the application. She went ahead and contacted the granting center about including me, and they agreed! They even offered assistance and language to add to the application.
The Power of Cold Outreach
So here we go! Two cold emails, two calls, two matches! What a world. I didn’t imagine this process would work out this quickly. Summer holiday, self-doubt, or a resounding “no girl, what were you thinking?” could have held up the process. I couldn’t afford any delays, especially with the Fulbright application due on September 17, 2024. But it all just worked out. Just like that.
It’s been a tough journey, but so rewarding. I would have never thought that someone like me, a self-trained research communications professional, would be an interesting prospect for international fellowships for independent scholars. It’s taken me a while to get here. I set this goal for myself to get government grants this year and the idea of a fellowship came up in early summer. I put the pieces together and found two robust programs that are very interested in working with me. It feels a bit unreal.
Advice for International Fellowships for Independent Scholars
- Embrace your unique background. As an independent scholar, your non-traditional path is a strength. You likely have a unique mix of skills and knowledge: academic, personal, and professional. Highlight how your diverse experiences contribute to your research perspective.
- Don’t self-reject. Even if you feel like a long shot, reach out anyway. My experience shows that institutions are often more interested than you might expect.
- Read some of their work. I skimmed a few articles written by the people I was chatting with to get a better sense of their specific work.
- Try to record the call. For reference for note taking and ideas. My called ended up being a brainstorming session.
- Be ready to explain your journey. Have a clear narrative about your path for this international fellowship for independent scholars and how it led you to this fellowship opportunity, this institution, this idea.
- Show adaptability. Demonstrate how you can fit into their existing projects while also bringing your own project ideas to the table. This is YOUR fellowship and your time too. Make sure you are discussing projects that fit your needs.
- Trust the process. The journey of securing a host institution can feel uncertain, but trust that your preparation and unique perspective will lead you to the right opportunity.
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
