The best change I could see is better communication with applicants and their advisors, and a better explanation of the breakdown of awards. I wasn't aware that I could be awarded only part of the award. I was congratulated by my department head on receiving the full fellowship...only to find out later I'd only gotten $1500. The documentation was confusing, and the mix up made the $1500 seem a lot less exciting. Also, those receiving lesser awards should be required to do less work. Doesn't really seem fair to expect a copy of a student's research abstract after the first semester when you're not even funding their research.

In response to survey responses from TRB an indepth analysis of the Eisenhower fellowship is underway. Once the report is submitted we are expecting some changes to the existing format, and in improvement in customer service and communication to fellows and faculty advisors. All changes will be implemented in the 2005 award cycle. Be sure to visit the website for new updates and changes to the program in April of 2005. As far as those recieving lesser awards, all receipents regardless of funding level are Eisenhower Fellows. The spirit of the fellowship is designed to attract and retain the best and the brightest minds to the field of transportation. One of the most effective ways we have seen is by bringing all fellows together to meet and mingle with those currently in the transportation field. 2004 was a year of transistion for us, new faces, new guidelines, you can expect a new focus on customer service and consistency from the U&GP staff.

You are right mentioning this. Even the same thing happened with lot of students and I am one of them. I wish Eisenhower fellowship program could have supported all the recipients at least one year of their studies. It was disheartening and because of that I am unwilling to apply again.

While I understand the frustration of those receiving "minor" awards during the current round of Eisenhower Fellowships (as I am one myself), and do agree that communication could be improved between U&GP and Fellows, let's not forget that the ultimate responsibility for funding the programs lies with Congress TEA-3 reauthorization debacle. I would urge you to support the program (and yourself) through your reapplication and press for improvements, rather than withdraw.

Kevin: Thanks for the vote of confidence and support. Best of luck to you in this cycle.

i don't understand this at all

This string is in relation to the 2004 cycle for the Eisenhower Fellowship and the comments are coming from reciepients and thier experiences with the program. (for more information go to www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov)

The Experience at the 84th annual holding of the Transportation Research Board in Washington DC was a tremendous success. The research of Transportation is of great significance and should be extensively patroned. As every Federal program experiencing growth time and researh will help processes and procedures develop. The importance of information shared at TRB is not only helpfull to the DDE fellowship program but to the Transportation community at large. The modern syetems of movement have touched everyone in individual ways. This has been an exceptional experience for me (2004 Fellow) presenting security issues that could possibly face this country in the future that I hope are resolved.