Dear Entrepreneurship community
I am reaching out to kindly seek your support in obtaining a
letter of invitation from an academic institution based in the US to support my application for an upcoming Fulbright Scholarship (click
here).
There is no $$ investment from the sponsoring institution. Fulbright is taking applications for the year 2025/26. I intend to draft an application under the category - Fulbright Scholar Award (click
here). I am open to the possibility of obtaining assistance from the entrepreneurship community based in the US. According to the Fulbright Commission, all prospective candidates are required to identify a U.S academic who would work as a mentor prior to applying for the award (refer to the attachment). Below is my brief bio (detailed CV is attached) and the purpose for applying for the Fulbright Scholar Award.
Brief Bio
Currently, I am attached to the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, as a senior lecturer. I obtained my PhD from the University of Waikato, New Zealand, in 2021 (click here). My supervisor was Professor Kathryn Pavlovich, who is the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Management, Spirituality and Religion. In my PhD research, I talked about the interplay between entrepreneurial action and community in a Buddhist religious context in Sri Lanka through a qualitative lens. Largely, my passion for research and teaching entails entrepreneurship. I produced a couple of journal articles through my PhD, and they were published in the Journal of Management, Spirituality and Religion (article no 01), Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies (article no 02), and World Scientific Encyclopedia of Business Sustainability, Ethics and Entrepreneurship (article no 03). During my PhD, I won the Fetzer Scholarship (click here) in 2019, offered by the Management, Spirituality and Religion pillar of the AOM. My recent achievements include, vice chancellor's award for the outstanding young researchers in the Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, 1st place, in the University of Kelaniya - 2024, Vice Chancellor's Awards for Best director of a Centre/ Unit in the University, Central Business Incubator, Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya – 2023. Further details about my administration at the University are outlined in the CV attached to this email.
Purpose for applying for the Fulbright Scholar Award.
My career evolve around entrepreneurship. My purpose in applying for the Fulbright Scholar Award is to deepen my expertise in the field of entrepreneurship and actively contribute to international academic exchange through teaching and collaborative research. In return, I would bring a unique blend of teaching, research, and academic experience to the host institution. Drawing from my doctoral research, I can offer insights into the intersection of entrepreneurship, community, and spiritual-cultural dynamics, especially within emerging economies. My presence will also foster global academic links between Sri Lanka and the US, enriching cross-cultural dialogue and institutional collaboration.
Dear all, I kindly seek the support of the entrepreneurship community in helping me connect with a potential host that would be willing to provide a letter of invitation to support my scholarship application. I can also come on a Zoom call at your convenience to provide information to help you arrive at your decision.
Warmly
Srinath Dissanayake.
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Srinath Dissanayake
University of Kelaniya
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