The Polish-U.S. Fulbright Commission invites applications for the Fulbright Poland History grant. We seek a scholar/researcher with a good record of historical research, familiarity with archival research, data collection and analysis to conduct research (both in the U.S. and Poland) on the history of the Fulbright Program in Poland and prepare a book manuscript for submission to the Commission. The manuscript will be a comprehensive study of the 60+ years of the Fulbright Program operation in Poland and its impact on Polish-American relations. Grant start date is July 2021. Selected researcher is expected to submit the book manuscript for review by October 2022.
The monograph is commissioned by the Polish-U.S. Fulbright Commission. The Commission will decide upon the final shape of the project: whether the monograph, its chapters/abstract are published and in what form.
Research should include (but not be limited to):
- Desk research in the archives of the Fulbright Program at the Library of the University of Arkansas, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassy to Poland, Polish National Archives, Polish Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Institute of International Education (IIE), Polish-U.S. Fulbright Commission
- Interviews with selected officials and participants of the Program.
- Analysis of the alumni databases.
- Analysis of press archives.
Potential research questions to be covered by selected candidate:
- Origins of the Program’s operation in Poland (among others: why Poland was the first country in the Soviet block to run the program; key elements of the negotiations).
- Milestones in the operation of the Program in Poland.
- Specifics of the awards offered in the course of 60+ years and the type of nominated candidates over time (i.e. Was there any correlation between research/study topics and political/social/economic events in Poland/the U.S./international relations?).
- Polish program vs. other Central European countries (cultural and political proximity, Polish Program vs. other countries with similar program size and/or duration of the program).
- Impact of the “Polish” Fulbright Program in Poland and in the U.S. in respect of: overarching mission of the Fulbright Program; influence on academia and other spheres of public life and individual careers of the program participants; being a soft-power tool of the American diplomacy.
- Origins of the Program’s operation in Poland (among others: why Poland was the first country in the Soviet block to run the program; key elements of the negotiations).
- Milestones in the operation of the Program in Poland.
- Specifics of the awards offered in the course of 60+ years and the type of nominated candidates over time (i.e. Was there any correlation between research/study topics and political/social/economic events in Poland/the U.S./international relations?).
- Polish program vs. other Central European countries (cultural and political proximity, Polish Program vs. other countries with similar program size and/or duration of the program).
- Impact of the “Polish” Fulbright Program in Poland and in the U.S. in respect of: overarching mission of the Fulbright Program; influence on academia and other spheres of public life and individual careers of the program participants; being a soft-power tool of the American diplomacy.
Proposed research methods and key sources should be clearly stated in the online application form.
The Commission offers access to documents and databases that are in the possession of the Commission. The Commission will also issue a recommendation letter proving that the research is commissioned by the Fulbright Commission and will provide necessary assistance in securing a U.S. short-term research visa. It is, however, the sole responsibility of the researcher to ensure access to necessary sources.
Manuscript preparation:
- The manuscript can be written and submitted in either English or Polish.
- Selected researcher is expected to submit the book manuscript for review by the end of October 2022.
- Submitted manuscript will be reviewed by two field experts.
- The final version of the manuscript that includes potential reviewers’ recommendations is expected to be submitted to the Commission by end of April 2023.
Required qualifications and eligibility:
- A Ph.D. in History or a closely related field, with evidence of scholarly potential and a demonstrated ability to formulate a feasible project based on acquired resources.
- A good record of high-quality historical research, familiarity with archival research, data collection and analysis, ability to write historical narratives.
- Excellent language skills in both Polish and English necessary to conduct research.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- We are particularly looking for candidates of Polish and/or American origin.
- It is possible to apply for this award as a team of two researchers. In this case, the total amount of the fellowship will be split between the team members. While considering such an option, we especially encourage bi-national: Polish-American teams to apply.
- This call for applications is not limited to Fulbright alumni. Any eligible researcher or a team of two researchers can apply.
Offered fellowship:
A maximum fellowship includes the following components:
- $20,000 lump sum, paid in installments, as stipulated in the grant agreement upon reporting progress milestones in research.
- up to $3,000 for international airfare, where 1 roundtrip is considered to be a flat rate of $1,500.
- up to $3,000 for in-country travel, either in the U.S. or in Poland.
- weekly rates for accommodation, per diem and miscellaneous expenses related to research outside of country/place of residence, however not exceeding $12,600: In the US – for an estimation of weekly rates, please refer to Fulbright STEM Impact Award chart; In Poland – up to $350 per week.
- The Commission does not separately cover material fees, access to sources and journal fees or IT equipment. If need be, those expenses shall be covered from the lump sum.
- Except for a $20,000 lump sum, other elements of the fellowship should be carefully calculated and justified in the online application form (proposed fellowship budget).
- Financial aspect will not be a decisive factor in the selection process, however will be taken into consideration by the Management and the Board of the Commission.
- Scholarships provided by the Polish-U.S. Fulbright Commission are subject to tax-exempt in Poland.
Application instructions:
To apply for the Fulbright Poland History Grant, qualified applicants must complete and submit an online application form available below. When prompted by the system, you will be required to upload the following documents:
- Current academic Curriculum Vitae (C.V.).
- Cover letter – explain your interest in this topic; address how your experience and qualifications make you a good fit for this research project and how this project fits your larger career goals (up to 500 words/1 page. If applying as a team of researchers, this limit can be increased).
- Research statement – elaborate on specific objectives of your proposed research, methods, timelines and expected results; provide a list of key sources you are planning to rely on in your research. If planning to conduct research as a team of two researchers, please also explain the role of each person in this project.
- You will also be required to upload a proposed fellowship budget you are applying for. It should match the planned methods and timeline of your project as elaborated on in your Research Statement. Please note that except for a $20,000 lump sum, other elements of the fellowship (listed above) should be carefully calculated and justified. For your convenience, please download this Excel spreadsheet, fill it out with your calculations and then upload it into the online application form.
The deadline for submitting an application is March 31, 2021 at 23:59 CET (Central European Time). Online application form and all documents should be submitted in English. Only complete applications will be taken into consideration.
Additional information:
- Selected candidate is expected to arrange and cover the costs of health insurance outside of country of residence.
- Selected candidate will travel to the U.S. on a short-term visa.
This award is granted by the Polish-U.S. Fulbright Commission as a special project of the Commission and is not a Fulbright grant itself.
