1400 K Street, NW, Suite 700

Washington, DC 20005-2403 USA

Tel 1-202-686-4000

Fax 1-202-686-4029 

Opening Minds to the World 

www.iie.org/cies

 November 26, 2012

Dr. Thomas Epstein42 8th Street

Charlestown, MA 02129-4216

Dear Dr. Epstein,

It is a pleasure to inform you that the peer review process organized by the Council for International Exchange of Scholars(CIES) has been completed and that you are among those recommended for a Fulbright teaching/research award in Russia.

Please know that this peer review process constitutes only the first phase of the rigorous review process Fulbright applicants

undergo. CIES will next forward your application to: the Fulbright Exchange Program in Russia, to the U.S. Department of Stateand to the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board for final consideration. Applications will be reviewed in light of

 program priorities and budget. Not all applications that were recommended in the peer review process will be selected for grants.

Given the multi-phased review process, it is important that you do not take any irreversible action, such as travel arrangements orother grant-related commitments, based upon the expectation of an award. Unfortunately, the number of meritorious applicantsroutinely exceeds the number of available grants. The next phase of the review process normally requires several months, and

you will be notified via e-mail about the eventual outcome of your candidacy. We understand you may have a number ofimportant matters pending (e.g., sabbatical application, family considerations). CIES will communicate with our colleagues

abroad and at the State Department to ensure that you are notified as soon as possible. Fulbright award decisions are complex,and selection timing can be influenced by a number of factors, including:

•  Funds available – The contribution of each government toward Fulbright Programs may not be determined until well

into 2013.

•   Number of recommended candidates in relation to the number of grants available – Particularly for countries where the

level of competition is high, an initial round of select, alternate and non-select candidates will be notified. Alternatecandidates may then have to wait until the selected candidates have accepted or declined awards or until the Fulbright

 program funding allocations are confirmed. Then, alternates will receive another letter, with either select or non-selectstatus.

•  Internal administrative procedures at prospective host institutions – Before they can agree to a request from the

Fulbright foundation/commission or the U.S. embassy to host a candidate, the receiving institution may first berequired to confirm cost sharing or other arrangements.

In the meantime, please inform CIES immediately, if your plans change and you find you would be unable to accept a Fulbright

award. If you are selected for a Fulbright award, a necessary step before becoming a grantee is medical clearance. CIES will sendscholars who are selected the medical-related information and access to the medical report form. Should you have any questionsregarding the status of your application during the review process, please contact Michael Worley, your CIES program contact,Europe and Eurasia, at 202-686-8646, or by e-mail at mworley@iie.org. For further information on administration of the

Fulbright Scholar Program, please visit: www.iie.org/cies. 

On behalf of CIES, please accept my heartfelt congratulations on having successfully completed the first stage of the Fulbrightreview process. Thank you for your interest in the Fulbright Scholar Program and in its important mission and best wishes for

you and your work.

Sincerely,

Debra EganDirector of Scholar Programs