Description
DDRA Program Press Kit: PDF (6.58M)
The Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad (DDRA) fellowships program provides grants to colleges and universities to fund individual doctoral students who conduct research in other countries, in modern foreign languages and area studies for periods of six to 12 months.
Projects deepen research knowledge on and help the nation develop capability in areas of the world not generally included in U.S. curricula. Projects focusing on Western Europe are not supported.
Program News:
- Listen to a GoGlobalEd Podcast episode featuring Dr. Diana Chioma Famakinwa, Assistant Director, African Studies Program at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and a 2018-19 Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Abroad Research Fellow to Nigeria: Dr. Diana Famakinwa on the Podcast (19:10)
- If you would like to receive updates on the DDRA program, please subscribe to IFLE's newsletter.
Contact
Dr. Pamela J. Maimer
Email: DDRA@ed.gov
Tel: (202) 453-6891
Amy Marrion
E-mail: DDRA@ed.gov
Tel: (202) 453-5628
U.S. Department of Education
Office of Postsecondary Education
International and Foreign Language Education
Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Program
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20202
Program Classification
Program Office: International and Foreign Language Education
CFDA Number:84.022
Program Type: Fellowships
Also Known As: Fulbright
Cancellation Notice
The Department of Education (Department) withdraws the notice inviting applications (NIA) for fiscal year (FY) 2025 for the Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad (GPA) Program, Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad (DDRA) Program, and the Faculty Research Abroad (FRA) Fellowship Program.
The Department is cancelling the competitions as part of a comprehensive review of recently published FY 2025 NIAs. This reevaluation seeks to ensure that all priorities and requirements for the Department’s FY 2025 competitions align with the objectives established by the Trump Administration, foster consistency across all grant programs, and enhance the economic effectiveness of federal education funding.
Competition Timeline
Competitions for the Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad (DDRA) program are held annually, pending the availability of funds.
The FY 2025 program competition is closed. The deadline to apply was January 29, 2025. The documents listed below are for informational purposes only.
Application Materials
Applications for the DDRA program must be submitted through the G6 system at https://g6.ed.gov/. The application package document provides specific instructions on how to apply for a DDRA award.
- Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards dated October 30, 2024 | PDF
- DDRA Extension Notice | PDF
- FY 2025 DDRA Application Instructions: PDF (2MB)
- Funding Opportunity Number: ED-GRANTS-103024-001
Tips & Assistance
The FY 2025 DDRA program pre-application Technical Assistance Webinar is now available to stream: Click here to watch the webinar on IFLE’s YouTube channel. The webinar covers a variety of topics, including DDRA program requirements, selection criteria, and frequently asked questions.
A DDRA Fellow Alumni Panel Discussion and Application Tips webinar is also available to stream at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Da5YM-ROF4U
Additional questions about the program or application can be emailed to DDRA@ed.gov at any time.
Eligibility
Who May Apply (by category): Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs)
Who May Apply (specifically): Graduate students in doctoral programs in the fields of foreign languages and area studies must apply through the institutions in which they are enrolled.
A student is eligible to receive a fellowship if he or she:
- Is a citizen or national of the United States or is a permanent resident of the United States;
- Is a graduate student in good standing at an institution of higher education in the United States who, when the fellowship begins, is admitted to candidacy in a doctoral program in modern foreign languages and area studies at that institution;
- Is planning a teaching career in the United States upon graduation; and
- Possesses adequate skills in the language(s) necessary to carry out the dissertation project.
Duration of the Grant:
Students may propose research for 6 to 12 months. The fellowship may not be renewed.
Terms and Conditions: A fellow shall:
- Maintain satisfactory progress in the conduct of his or her research;
- Devote full time to research on the approved topic;
- Not engage in any gainful employment during the fellowship period; and
- Remain a student in good standing at his or her institution.
Expenses Covered by the Award:
- Travel expenses, including excess baggage to and from the residence of the fellow to the host country of research;
- Maintenance and dependents allowances based on the cost of living in country(ies) of research for the fellow and his or her dependent(s);
- Project allowance for research related expenses such as books, copying, tuition and affiliation fees, local travel and other incidental expenses;
- Health and accident insurance premiums; and
- $100.00 administrative fee to applicant institution.
The Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad (DDRA) fellowships program provides grants to colleges and universities to fund individual doctoral students who conduct research in other countries, in modern foreign languages and area studies for periods of six to 12 months. Use the Fellow Search function on the International Resource Information System (IRIS) website for more information about DDRA fellows and their projects.
Useful Links
- DDRA Program Press Kit: PDF (6.58M)
- DDRA Fellow Alumni Panel Discussion and Application Tips: Watch on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Da5YM-ROF4U
- Listen to a GoGlobalEd Podcast episode featuring Dr. Diana Chioma Famakinwa, Assistant Director, African Studies Program at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and a 2018-19 Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Abroad Research Fellow to Nigeria: Dr. Diana Famakinwa on the Podcast (19:10)
- International Resource Information System (IRIS) -- a performance reporting system and searchable database for 14 international education programs
- Fellow Search on the IRIS website
- OPE - Other Applicant and Grantee Resources
Legislation
Regulations
- 34 CFR 662
- Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99
Performance Report
Grantees under this program are required to submit an annual performance report (APR) through the International Resource Information System (IRIS). The Department provides grantees with the required password and other information needed to access the IRIS system. IRIS also includes a publicly accessible searchable database of abstracts of projects funded under OPE's international education programs.
 | Select a link below to jump to the relevant page section. |
- Can a student apply independently of their university?
- How does a student know who is their Project Director?
- What is the student's academic advisor's role?
- How many sections are there to the G5 application system and who fills out what section?
- When the student clicks "submit" in the G5 system, where does their application go?
- When should a student submit their application?
- To whom does the Federal Register Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) apply?
- How will a student know that their Project Director has access to their application?
- How does a student know that the Project Director has submitted their application to ED?
- May a student apply for support to go to more than one country?
- Even though the DDRA Program does not fund proposals that focus on Western European topics, may a student go to Western Europe to consult or research human or material resources on a non-Western European topic not available in the United States?
- Are U.S. citizens studying at foreign institutions eligible for the DDRA program?
- How important is the recommended page guidelines cited in the Federal Register Notice Inviting Applications (NIA)?
- Should students include endnotes, footnotes or a bibliography? How long should they be?
- What if a student proposes to use a much less commonly taught language and cannot find someone to evaluate them?
- Should Letters of Affiliation from overseas host institutions or organizations be included in an application?
- Do the provisions of the "Fly America Act" apply to this program? Does it benefit a student's application to request a lower amount, if he/she can find a cheaper non-U.S. carrier airfare?
- What if a student is planning to get married after he/she applies, or is expecting a baby? Is he/she eligible for a dependent's allowance?
- What signatures are required for G5?
- Who should the student contact in the event of technical problems with G5 (e.g., problems pulling up a form)?
- If the student has a question specific to the DDRA program (e.g., eligibility requirements), who should he/she contact?
- When will students be notified whether or not they have been selected?
- When may fellowships be activated?
- If a student relocates after submitting their application, should they send address updates to ED?
- May the university accept the award on a student's behalf if the student is overseas during the notification period?
- Must a student apply for their own visa and research clearance?
- May a student request copies of their application's reviewers' comments?
- Can I have two Fulbright Fellowships (i.e., DDRA and U.S. Department of State Fulbright US Student Program (FUSP) at the same time?
- Can I accept an FUSP award and then pay back the program if I want to accept the DDRA award?
1. Can a student apply independently of their university?
No. Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education in the United States. The student's application must be submitted through the appropriate channels at their university, and transmitted to the U.S. Department of Education (ED) via G5 by the university's Project Director.
TOP
2. How does a student know who is their Project Director?
A student should check the list of Project Directors included in the application package. If a university has submitted applications for DDRA funding before, chances are there is already an experienced Project Director appointed. If an institution does not appear on the list, it may be necessary for that university's administration to appoint a Project Director, and ensure that he/she registers in the G5 system.
TOP
3. What is the student's academic advisor's role?
The student's advisor will continue to serve as their mentor regarding the academic details of their research, and any changes to the student's research plans as proposed in the application will require the advisor's written approval. The advisor should not serve as the student's Project Director. There can be only one Project Director at an institution, and that person administers the grant and serves as the point of contact for all of that institution's fellows, regardless of research topic or discipline.
TOP
4. How many sections are there to the G5 application system and who fills out what section?
There are two primary sections to the G5 system - the student's individual section and the section to be completed by the Project Director. Upon completion of their section, the student submits their application to the Project Director via G5. The Project Director is responsible for reviewing the student's individual application and submitting it to ED, along with the Project Director's portion, which contains the required federal forms. Included in this submission are the graduate and language reference forms that were transmitted to the Project Director by the references. Only the Project Director can submit an application to ED.
TOP
5. When the student clicks "submit" in the G5 system, where does their application go?
When the student submits their application via the G6 system, it is transmitted to their university's Project Director for review and submission to ED. Student applicants are not able to transmit their applications directly to ED.
TOP
6. When should a student submit their application?
The Project Director determines the internal deadline by which all sections of the application must be submitted. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that the graduate and language references are submitted by references no later than the institution's internal deadline.
TOP
7. To whom does the Federal Register Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) apply?
The Federal Register Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) has the date by which the university's Project Director must submit all components of the application to ED via G6. It is recommended that the Project Director have access to all sections of the application well in advance of this date. Application materials may not be submitted after the date published in the Federal Register NIA.
TOP
8. How will a student know that their Project Director has access to their application?
After the student submits their application via G6, he/she will receive a notification e-mail stating that their application has been received by the Project Director at their university. If he/she does not receive this e-mail, the student should contact the Help Desk immediately. The Project Director will be copied on the e-mail notification; nevertheless, the student may want to contact the Project Director to let the Project Director know that the student has submitted an application.
TOP
9. How does a student know that the Project Director has submitted their application to ED?
The student will not receive a notification e-mail when the Project Director transmits the application to ED. Only the Project Director will receive a notification e-mail. The student must check with their institution's Project Director to determine whether the application has been submitted.
TOP
10. May a student apply for support to go to more than one country?
Yes, a student may propose research in multiple countries.
TOP
11. Even though the DDRA Program does not fund proposals that focus on Western European topics, may a student go to Western Europe to consult or research human or material resources on a non-Western European topic not available in the United States?
Yes.
TOP
12. Are U.S. citizens studying at foreign institutions eligible for the DDRA program?
No, eligible applicants are institutions of higher education in the United States.
TOP
13. How important is the recommended page guidelines cited in the Federal Register Notice Inviting Applications (NIA)?
The recommended page guidelines are extremely important. Please adhere to the recommended page guidelines in the Federal Register NIA.
TOP
14. Should students include endnotes, footnotes or a bibliography? How long should they be?
Endnotes, footnotes, or a bibliography will certainly strengthen an application. However, footnotes and endnotes will be subject to the page limit restrictions specified in the Federal Register NIA for the application narrative and bibliography.
TOP
15. What if a student proposes to use a much less commonly taught language and cannot find someone to evaluate them?
It is the applicant's responsibility to find a suitable language evaluator. An application will be significantly less competitive if a language reference form is not included.
TOP
16. Should Letters of Affiliation from overseas host institutions or organizations be included in an application?
Yes, these letters are helpful to the panel in evaluating an application. Students must submit them electronically with their applications.
TOP
17. Do the provisions of the "Fly America Act" apply to this program? Does it benefit a student's application to request a lower amount, if he/she can find a cheaper non-U.S. carrier airfare?
No, all travel must comply with the Fly America Act. International travel budget estimates ought to be based on jet economy high season rates on U.S. Flag carriers where available. Reviewers do not evaluate a student's budget request as part of the application review process.
TOP
18. What if a student is planning to get married after he/she applies, or is expecting a baby? Is he/she eligible for a dependent's allowance?
Availability of funds and the date of the marriage or birth will determine whether an allowance can be awarded. The applicant must have a marriage certificate or birth certificate prior to submitting their application to receive a dependent allowance.
TOP
19. What signatures are required for G6?
No signatures are necessary for the student's application at the time of application submittal. However, signatures from a student's doctor/nurse practitioner and advisor may be requested at a later date.
TOP
20. Who should the student contact in the event of technical problems with G6 (e.g., problems pulling up a form)?
If the student experiences any technical difficulties, he/she should contact the G5 Help Desk at 1-888-336-8930 (TTY: 1-866-697-2696; Local: 202-401-6238) Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Washington, D.C. time.
TOP
21. If the student has a question specific to the DDRA program (e.g., eligibility requirements), who should he/she contact?
If the student has programmatic questions, he/she should first contact the institutional Project Director. If further clarification is needed, they should e-mail the DDRA Program Office at ddra@ed.gov
TOP
22. When will students be notified whether or not they have been selected?
The review process for DDRA Program applications is lengthy and multi-faceted, so announcement times may vary. Candidate status can be announced as early as April and as late as September. It is the responsibility of the institution to inform students of their status. The Department does not inform students directly. Awards are issued between April and September.
TOP
23. When may fellowships be activated?
A fellowship may be activated after a Grant Award Notification (GAN) has been issued; host country visa and research requirements have been met; human subject research clearance, if required, has been given by the student's institution; the pre-fellowship language evaluation has been submitted; and travel approval has been obtained by the Project Director from ED. The GAN will specify the performance and budget periods. All research must be completed during these periods.
TOP
24. If a student relocates after submitting their application, should they send address updates to ED?
No, students should provide that information to their Project Directors.
TOP
25. May the university accept the award on a student's behalf if the student is overseas during the notification period?
Yes, provided the student has not received a fellowship that duplicates the DDRA award benefits. The student should leave a letter with the Project Director authorizing them to accept the award on the student's behalf.
TOP
26. Must a student apply for their own visa and research clearance?
Yes.
TOP
27. May a student request copies of their application's reviewers' comments?
No. All reviewer comments will be a mailed to the institution's Project Director at the time of the award notification. Please contact your institutional Project Director for a copy.
TOP
28. Can I have two Fulbright Fellowships (i.e., DDRA and U.S. Department of State Fulbright US Student Program (FUSP) at the same time?
No. As stated in Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board policy 426.1 Concurrent Grants: No applicant may receive concurrently a grant from the Fulbright US Student Program and a grant from the Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Program.
TOP
29. Can I accept an FUSP award and then pay back the program if I want to accept the DDRA award?
No. Once a candidate has accepted an award from the FUSP program and FUSP has expended funds on a student, he/she is then ineligible for a DDRA grant. For example, if a DDRA applicant accepts the FUSP grant and attends the Fulbright orientation, then the applicant is ineligible for the DDRA grant. An applicant to the DDRA program must indicate on their application to the program if he/she has currently applied for an FUSP grant. If, at any point, the candidate accepts the FUSP award prior to being notified of their status with the DDRA program, the candidate must notify the DDRA office immediately. If after consultation with the FUSP program we determine that FUSP has expended funds on the student (i.e., the candidate has attended the pre-departure orientation or was issued grant funds) the candidate will be deemed ineligible for the DDRA award at that time.
Please note that this is a change in policy from previous years and there will be no flexibility on this issue. Likewise, it is understood that, should the candidate apply to both the FUSP and DDRA programs, he/she will be in similar communications with both offices on their status. If a DDRA applicant does not immediately notify the DDRA office of an FUSP status change, the DDRA program office reserves the right to determine this applicant ineligible for the DDRA program for future years, whether he/she has been recommended for funding or not.
Description
DDRA Program Press Kit: PDF (6.58M)
The Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad (DDRA) fellowships program provides grants to colleges and universities to fund individual doctoral students who conduct research in other countries, in modern foreign languages and area studies for periods of six to 12 months.
Projects deepen research knowledge on and help the nation develop capability in areas of the world not generally included in U.S. curricula. Projects focusing on Western Europe are not supported.
Program News:
- Listen to a GoGlobalEd Podcast episode featuring Dr. Diana Chioma Famakinwa, Assistant Director, African Studies Program at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and a 2018-19 Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Abroad Research Fellow to Nigeria: Dr. Diana Famakinwa on the Podcast (19:10)
- If you would like to receive updates on the DDRA program, please subscribe to IFLE's newsletter.
Contact
Dr. Pamela J. Maimer
Email: DDRA@ed.gov
Tel: (202) 453-6891
Amy Marrion
E-mail: DDRA@ed.gov
Tel: (202) 453-5628
U.S. Department of Education
Office of Postsecondary Education
International and Foreign Language Education
Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Program
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20202
Program Classification
Program Office: International and Foreign Language Education
CFDA Number:84.022
Program Type: Fellowships
Also Known As: Fulbright
Cancellation Notice
The Department of Education (Department) withdraws the notice inviting applications (NIA) for fiscal year (FY) 2025 for the Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad (GPA) Program, Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad (DDRA) Program, and the Faculty Research Abroad (FRA) Fellowship Program.
The Department is cancelling the competitions as part of a comprehensive review of recently published FY 2025 NIAs. This reevaluation seeks to ensure that all priorities and requirements for the Department’s FY 2025 competitions align with the objectives established by the Trump Administration, foster consistency across all grant programs, and enhance the economic effectiveness of federal education funding.
Competition Timeline
Competitions for the Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad (DDRA) program are held annually, pending the availability of funds.
The FY 2025 program competition is closed. The deadline to apply was January 29, 2025. The documents listed below are for informational purposes only.
Application Materials
Applications for the DDRA program must be submitted through the G6 system at https://g6.ed.gov/. The application package document provides specific instructions on how to apply for a DDRA award.
- Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards dated October 30, 2024 | PDF
- DDRA Extension Notice | PDF
- FY 2025 DDRA Application Instructions: PDF (2MB)
- Funding Opportunity Number: ED-GRANTS-103024-001
Tips & Assistance
The FY 2025 DDRA program pre-application Technical Assistance Webinar is now available to stream: Click here to watch the webinar on IFLE’s YouTube channel. The webinar covers a variety of topics, including DDRA program requirements, selection criteria, and frequently asked questions.
A DDRA Fellow Alumni Panel Discussion and Application Tips webinar is also available to stream at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Da5YM-ROF4U
Additional questions about the program or application can be emailed to DDRA@ed.gov at any time.
Eligibility
Who May Apply (by category): Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs)
Who May Apply (specifically): Graduate students in doctoral programs in the fields of foreign languages and area studies must apply through the institutions in which they are enrolled.
A student is eligible to receive a fellowship if he or she:
- Is a citizen or national of the United States or is a permanent resident of the United States;
- Is a graduate student in good standing at an institution of higher education in the United States who, when the fellowship begins, is admitted to candidacy in a doctoral program in modern foreign languages and area studies at that institution;
- Is planning a teaching career in the United States upon graduation; and
- Possesses adequate skills in the language(s) necessary to carry out the dissertation project.
Duration of the Grant:
Students may propose research for 6 to 12 months. The fellowship may not be renewed.
Terms and Conditions: A fellow shall:
- Maintain satisfactory progress in the conduct of his or her research;
- Devote full time to research on the approved topic;
- Not engage in any gainful employment during the fellowship period; and
- Remain a student in good standing at his or her institution.
Expenses Covered by the Award:
- Travel expenses, including excess baggage to and from the residence of the fellow to the host country of research;
- Maintenance and dependents allowances based on the cost of living in country(ies) of research for the fellow and his or her dependent(s);
- Project allowance for research related expenses such as books, copying, tuition and affiliation fees, local travel and other incidental expenses;
- Health and accident insurance premiums; and
- $100.00 administrative fee to applicant institution.
The Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad (DDRA) fellowships program provides grants to colleges and universities to fund individual doctoral students who conduct research in other countries, in modern foreign languages and area studies for periods of six to 12 months. Use the Fellow Search function on the International Resource Information System (IRIS) website for more information about DDRA fellows and their projects.
Useful Links
- DDRA Program Press Kit: PDF (6.58M)
- DDRA Fellow Alumni Panel Discussion and Application Tips: Watch on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Da5YM-ROF4U
- Listen to a GoGlobalEd Podcast episode featuring Dr. Diana Chioma Famakinwa, Assistant Director, African Studies Program at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and a 2018-19 Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Abroad Research Fellow to Nigeria: Dr. Diana Famakinwa on the Podcast (19:10)
- International Resource Information System (IRIS) -- a performance reporting system and searchable database for 14 international education programs
- Fellow Search on the IRIS website
- OPE - Other Applicant and Grantee Resources
Legislation
Regulations
- 34 CFR 662
- Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99
Performance Report
Grantees under this program are required to submit an annual performance report (APR) through the International Resource Information System (IRIS). The Department provides grantees with the required password and other information needed to access the IRIS system. IRIS also includes a publicly accessible searchable database of abstracts of projects funded under OPE's international education programs.
| Select a link below to jump to the relevant page section. |
- Can a student apply independently of their university?
- How does a student know who is their Project Director?
- What is the student's academic advisor's role?
- How many sections are there to the G5 application system and who fills out what section?
- When the student clicks "submit" in the G5 system, where does their application go?
- When should a student submit their application?
- To whom does the Federal Register Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) apply?
- How will a student know that their Project Director has access to their application?
- How does a student know that the Project Director has submitted their application to ED?
- May a student apply for support to go to more than one country?
- Even though the DDRA Program does not fund proposals that focus on Western European topics, may a student go to Western Europe to consult or research human or material resources on a non-Western European topic not available in the United States?
- Are U.S. citizens studying at foreign institutions eligible for the DDRA program?
- How important is the recommended page guidelines cited in the Federal Register Notice Inviting Applications (NIA)?
- Should students include endnotes, footnotes or a bibliography? How long should they be?
- What if a student proposes to use a much less commonly taught language and cannot find someone to evaluate them?
- Should Letters of Affiliation from overseas host institutions or organizations be included in an application?
- Do the provisions of the "Fly America Act" apply to this program? Does it benefit a student's application to request a lower amount, if he/she can find a cheaper non-U.S. carrier airfare?
- What if a student is planning to get married after he/she applies, or is expecting a baby? Is he/she eligible for a dependent's allowance?
- What signatures are required for G5?
- Who should the student contact in the event of technical problems with G5 (e.g., problems pulling up a form)?
- If the student has a question specific to the DDRA program (e.g., eligibility requirements), who should he/she contact?
- When will students be notified whether or not they have been selected?
- When may fellowships be activated?
- If a student relocates after submitting their application, should they send address updates to ED?
- May the university accept the award on a student's behalf if the student is overseas during the notification period?
- Must a student apply for their own visa and research clearance?
- May a student request copies of their application's reviewers' comments?
- Can I have two Fulbright Fellowships (i.e., DDRA and U.S. Department of State Fulbright US Student Program (FUSP) at the same time?
- Can I accept an FUSP award and then pay back the program if I want to accept the DDRA award?
1. Can a student apply independently of their university?
No. Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education in the United States. The student's application must be submitted through the appropriate channels at their university, and transmitted to the U.S. Department of Education (ED) via G5 by the university's Project Director.
TOP
2. How does a student know who is their Project Director?
A student should check the list of Project Directors included in the application package. If a university has submitted applications for DDRA funding before, chances are there is already an experienced Project Director appointed. If an institution does not appear on the list, it may be necessary for that university's administration to appoint a Project Director, and ensure that he/she registers in the G5 system.
TOP
3. What is the student's academic advisor's role?
The student's advisor will continue to serve as their mentor regarding the academic details of their research, and any changes to the student's research plans as proposed in the application will require the advisor's written approval. The advisor should not serve as the student's Project Director. There can be only one Project Director at an institution, and that person administers the grant and serves as the point of contact for all of that institution's fellows, regardless of research topic or discipline.
TOP
4. How many sections are there to the G5 application system and who fills out what section?
There are two primary sections to the G5 system - the student's individual section and the section to be completed by the Project Director. Upon completion of their section, the student submits their application to the Project Director via G5. The Project Director is responsible for reviewing the student's individual application and submitting it to ED, along with the Project Director's portion, which contains the required federal forms. Included in this submission are the graduate and language reference forms that were transmitted to the Project Director by the references. Only the Project Director can submit an application to ED.
TOP
5. When the student clicks "submit" in the G5 system, where does their application go?
When the student submits their application via the G6 system, it is transmitted to their university's Project Director for review and submission to ED. Student applicants are not able to transmit their applications directly to ED.
TOP
6. When should a student submit their application?
The Project Director determines the internal deadline by which all sections of the application must be submitted. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that the graduate and language references are submitted by references no later than the institution's internal deadline.
TOP
7. To whom does the Federal Register Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) apply?
The Federal Register Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) has the date by which the university's Project Director must submit all components of the application to ED via G6. It is recommended that the Project Director have access to all sections of the application well in advance of this date. Application materials may not be submitted after the date published in the Federal Register NIA.
TOP
8. How will a student know that their Project Director has access to their application?
After the student submits their application via G6, he/she will receive a notification e-mail stating that their application has been received by the Project Director at their university. If he/she does not receive this e-mail, the student should contact the Help Desk immediately. The Project Director will be copied on the e-mail notification; nevertheless, the student may want to contact the Project Director to let the Project Director know that the student has submitted an application.
TOP
9. How does a student know that the Project Director has submitted their application to ED?
The student will not receive a notification e-mail when the Project Director transmits the application to ED. Only the Project Director will receive a notification e-mail. The student must check with their institution's Project Director to determine whether the application has been submitted.
TOP
10. May a student apply for support to go to more than one country?
Yes, a student may propose research in multiple countries.
TOP
11. Even though the DDRA Program does not fund proposals that focus on Western European topics, may a student go to Western Europe to consult or research human or material resources on a non-Western European topic not available in the United States?
Yes.
TOP
12. Are U.S. citizens studying at foreign institutions eligible for the DDRA program?
No, eligible applicants are institutions of higher education in the United States.
TOP
13. How important is the recommended page guidelines cited in the Federal Register Notice Inviting Applications (NIA)?
The recommended page guidelines are extremely important. Please adhere to the recommended page guidelines in the Federal Register NIA.
TOP
14. Should students include endnotes, footnotes or a bibliography? How long should they be?
Endnotes, footnotes, or a bibliography will certainly strengthen an application. However, footnotes and endnotes will be subject to the page limit restrictions specified in the Federal Register NIA for the application narrative and bibliography.
TOP
15. What if a student proposes to use a much less commonly taught language and cannot find someone to evaluate them?
It is the applicant's responsibility to find a suitable language evaluator. An application will be significantly less competitive if a language reference form is not included.
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16. Should Letters of Affiliation from overseas host institutions or organizations be included in an application?
Yes, these letters are helpful to the panel in evaluating an application. Students must submit them electronically with their applications.
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17. Do the provisions of the "Fly America Act" apply to this program? Does it benefit a student's application to request a lower amount, if he/she can find a cheaper non-U.S. carrier airfare?
No, all travel must comply with the Fly America Act. International travel budget estimates ought to be based on jet economy high season rates on U.S. Flag carriers where available. Reviewers do not evaluate a student's budget request as part of the application review process.
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18. What if a student is planning to get married after he/she applies, or is expecting a baby? Is he/she eligible for a dependent's allowance?
Availability of funds and the date of the marriage or birth will determine whether an allowance can be awarded. The applicant must have a marriage certificate or birth certificate prior to submitting their application to receive a dependent allowance.
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19. What signatures are required for G6?
No signatures are necessary for the student's application at the time of application submittal. However, signatures from a student's doctor/nurse practitioner and advisor may be requested at a later date.
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20. Who should the student contact in the event of technical problems with G6 (e.g., problems pulling up a form)?
If the student experiences any technical difficulties, he/she should contact the G5 Help Desk at 1-888-336-8930 (TTY: 1-866-697-2696; Local: 202-401-6238) Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Washington, D.C. time.
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21. If the student has a question specific to the DDRA program (e.g., eligibility requirements), who should he/she contact?
If the student has programmatic questions, he/she should first contact the institutional Project Director. If further clarification is needed, they should e-mail the DDRA Program Office at ddra@ed.gov
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22. When will students be notified whether or not they have been selected?
The review process for DDRA Program applications is lengthy and multi-faceted, so announcement times may vary. Candidate status can be announced as early as April and as late as September. It is the responsibility of the institution to inform students of their status. The Department does not inform students directly. Awards are issued between April and September.
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23. When may fellowships be activated?
A fellowship may be activated after a Grant Award Notification (GAN) has been issued; host country visa and research requirements have been met; human subject research clearance, if required, has been given by the student's institution; the pre-fellowship language evaluation has been submitted; and travel approval has been obtained by the Project Director from ED. The GAN will specify the performance and budget periods. All research must be completed during these periods.
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24. If a student relocates after submitting their application, should they send address updates to ED?
No, students should provide that information to their Project Directors.
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25. May the university accept the award on a student's behalf if the student is overseas during the notification period?
Yes, provided the student has not received a fellowship that duplicates the DDRA award benefits. The student should leave a letter with the Project Director authorizing them to accept the award on the student's behalf.
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26. Must a student apply for their own visa and research clearance?
Yes.
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27. May a student request copies of their application's reviewers' comments?
No. All reviewer comments will be a mailed to the institution's Project Director at the time of the award notification. Please contact your institutional Project Director for a copy.
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28. Can I have two Fulbright Fellowships (i.e., DDRA and U.S. Department of State Fulbright US Student Program (FUSP) at the same time?
No. As stated in Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board policy 426.1 Concurrent Grants: No applicant may receive concurrently a grant from the Fulbright US Student Program and a grant from the Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Program.
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29. Can I accept an FUSP award and then pay back the program if I want to accept the DDRA award?
No. Once a candidate has accepted an award from the FUSP program and FUSP has expended funds on a student, he/she is then ineligible for a DDRA grant. For example, if a DDRA applicant accepts the FUSP grant and attends the Fulbright orientation, then the applicant is ineligible for the DDRA grant. An applicant to the DDRA program must indicate on their application to the program if he/she has currently applied for an FUSP grant. If, at any point, the candidate accepts the FUSP award prior to being notified of their status with the DDRA program, the candidate must notify the DDRA office immediately. If after consultation with the FUSP program we determine that FUSP has expended funds on the student (i.e., the candidate has attended the pre-departure orientation or was issued grant funds) the candidate will be deemed ineligible for the DDRA award at that time.
Please note that this is a change in policy from previous years and there will be no flexibility on this issue. Likewise, it is understood that, should the candidate apply to both the FUSP and DDRA programs, he/she will be in similar communications with both offices on their status. If a DDRA applicant does not immediately notify the DDRA office of an FUSP status change, the DDRA program office reserves the right to determine this applicant ineligible for the DDRA program for future years, whether he/she has been recommended for funding or not.