Adapted from the Yale Fellowships website
engage in an independent academic, vocational, or community service project. You should briefly
describe what you would like to do in the Statement of Grant Purpose.
Since applicants will not know exactly where they will be located, this description is not expected to
be detailed. You simply need to indicate the activities that you intend to pursue outside of the ETA
responsibilities and why you have chosen this/these activities for the country to which you are
applying. In addition, any community service activities or extra-curricular activities that you think
you might conduct should be described.
If you have a very specific proposal for study or research, you may wish to consider the
Study/Research option, since in the ETA program you will not be able to choose where you will be
placed and you will not have very much time for independent research or study. Furthermore,
successful ETA's are those who value the experience of working in an educational environment first
and foremost. We have seen highly qualified applicants not selected because the impression from
their Statements indicated that they were more focused on a project than on the ETA assignment.
Adhere to the following format:
For English Teaching Assistantships, the Statement length is limited to a maximum of one
typed, single-spaced page. Longer statements will not be presented to screening
committees.
To ensure a smooth upload and readability, use 1” margins all around and Times Roman 12
pt. font.
At the top the page of your Word document type the following. Do not place this
information in a header, it will not upload.
o On line 1, type STATEMENT OF GRANT PURPOSE
o On line 2, type your Name, Country of Application, and English Teaching
Assistantship
ADDRESSING ENGAGEMENT IN THE COMMUNITY
Since the primary aim of the Fulbright Program is to further mutual understanding between the
people of the United States and other countries, it is important to address this issue in your
application. Your application should demonstrate a clear commitment to the host country
community. Being involved in the local community will contribute significantly to the Fulbright
Program's goals and will enhance your experience in many ways. IIE advises that applicants should
describe any volunteer or extracurricular activities of interest to them and relate the activity to the
Fulbright grant experience. You can choose to address this in your Project Statement, if the planned
activity is an integral part of your study or research, or in the Personal Statement, if the planned
activity is more extracurricular.
If you will be in a university environment, this activity could be extracurricular (joining a club,
participating in a sport, etc.); it does NOT have to relate specifically to your study proposal. Other
examples of community involvement could include teaching or tutoring English or American
Studies; volunteering with a charitable organization, volunteering for a school renovation project,
volunteering in a healthcare facility, etc.
ALSO SEE:
"Writing Fellowship Essays":
http://www.yale.edu/yalecollege/academics/fellowships/application/essays.html
U.S. Student Fulbright Applicant Blog: http://blogs.fulbrightonline.org/usapp/