1. Can I work during the fellowship period?
The idea behind the fellowship is to give the recipient a chance to travel internationally and learn more about a specific construction science related topic through international comparisons. If you feel that working will benefit your exposure, you should structure your proposal around “work periods”. Perhaps the study component is 6 months with 3 months of work study/internship in the beginning and/or 3 months at the end of your trip abroad. We want you to get the greatest benefit from traveling, observing, interacting, interviewing and studying the topic you have selected. Work could complement the experience or compromise it. If you have an offer to work at an international company—this fellowship could be a fabulous way of introducing you to the field, prior to the employment beginning.

2. How long is the fellowship period?
This aspect of the fellowship is flexible. We are thinking for the amount of the fellowship provided, 6 months minimum makes sense. But someone might chose to extend it while another might design a much more intense exposure over a shorter period of time. We are expecting each student to propose a unique study plan. The amount of time and how it is used is one factor the selection committee will use in judging the merit of proposals. It is more important to ask the question—“Am I taking advantage of this opportunity in the most positive way by spending the time I have effectively?”

3. Can I combine this award with another award?
You can combine this award with another or with private support. This should be outlined in a cover letter that describes what other form of support you expect to use in conjunction with this award. Some community organizations may be willing to partially match the award or to supplement it. We encourage you to think big and imagine this as a opportunity of a lifetime to study and better understand the international world in which you will be operating in during your lifetime.

4. What’s the most important component of the submission?
The narrative that describes the proposed study program is by far the most important element of the submission. The selection committee will examine what you are proposing to study, how you are going about your analysis, and what potential benefits will result from the work. The proposal topic should be original, compelling, particularly well suited to international comparison, and able to be accomplished within the time and financial constraints that have been set for you.

5. What advice can you give me?
Imagine you are one of the members of the selection committee and you want to give this award to the most deserving candidate. What would you be looking for in a proposal? Would it be a complete and comprehensive approach to the topic? Would you look for a topic/subject that is compelling and interesting—that might particularly benefit from international comparison? Is the proposed study reasonable —is it too overwhelming for the money and time provided? Or does it seem light on the amount of work and effort that will be delivered? Are the letters of recommendation compelling? Do they paint a picture of a mature, successful, self-starting student who would really benefit from this opportunity?

6. What specific elements can strengthen my proposal?
The more detailed and tangible the study plan the more it will impress the selection committee. If you can obtain email/fax contacts with companies, academics, government organizations, NGO’s, and private individuals involved in the construction industry, this will strengthen your study plan. If you know exactly which buildings you will be visiting and which individuals you will be meeting with, this will also help to make the narrative more substantial and convincing.

The originality and uniqueness of the study topic will also help to make the proposal more compelling. If you are studying a process, examining a method of construction, dissecting a unique approach specific to a particular country or comparing approaches across several countries; your proposal may appear more interesting. You should keep in mind this is the beginning of your 30-50 year career. Linking this experience to thoughts about graduate training, a specific job you have envisioned, a company you hope to create or an idea about construction that could benefit from international comparison will show how you plan to use the experience to build a unique professional life.

7. Why is the sponsor making this study abroad opportunity available?
The source of funding is a Kansas City based foundation that has primarily funded proposals in academic settings and for causes that relate to children, young adults and their development. The money available through the foundation was earned by Victor L. Regnier during his lifetime as a developer and builder. His children who manage the fund are always interested in new ideas that could benefit special constituencies. They were familiar with a range of opportunities for study abroad programs in architecture and the dearth of these types of programs in the new emerging field of construction science. As a result they created this opportunity.