The International Research Development Office (IRDO) connects MSU faculty and staff with a wide range of practical resources to support Fulbright proposal development. Through the MSU Fulbright Liaison Team, applicants can be connected with past Fulbright recipients and experienced mentors who can share insights on project design, host engagement, and the review process. IRDO also provides internal timeline templates that help applicants align proposal preparation with campus review dates and institutional expectations, supporting a smoother and more organized submission process.
Applicants may request access to sample applications and previously successful proposals through IRDO, when permission has been granted, to better understand the scope, structure, and level of detail expected in competitive submissions. IRDO hosts information sessions and Fulbright Week events throughout the year, creating opportunities for live questions, peer discussion, and direct interaction with advisors. In addition, Fulbright’s official Award Catalog and Application Guides are linked through IRDO’s resource page, allowing applicants to easily access authoritative guidance alongside MSU‑specific materials.
IRDO also provides internal review and quality‑checking support for Fulbright applications prior to submission. Applicants are encouraged to share draft materials for feedback focused on clarity, alignment with award objectives, competitiveness, and consistency across application components. This review helps strengthen project framing, identify gaps, and ensure proposals clearly articulate feasibility, impact, and host‑country relevance.
In addition to content‑focused feedback, IRDO checks applications for institutional accuracy and alignment with MSU requirements, including appropriate representation of affiliations, commitments, and supporting documentation. While IRDO does not replace Fulbright’s external peer‑review process, this internal review offers an important layer of strategic guidance and institutional oversight. Engaging IRDO early allows sufficient time for meaningful revisions and helps ensure applications are polished, accurate, and well positioned for national and international review.