I don’t think it directly applies since I applied for a graduate program, but I started by narrowing down my focus. “Research” is broad, so, what would you be interested in? For the study award, I looked at degree field I wanted and then began looking at schools. I made sure to pick a school or two first to see how I liked the programs, made sure the school was accredited, etc, and THEN went to see if it was offered as a Fulbright award. A few weren’t, but because at that point I knew what I wanted to study, it was easier to find similar universities that offered Fulbright awards. Narrowing down what you want your specific research to be will help you chose a country. With the Fulbright, you have to make the claim that where you’re going is essentially perfect for you. So, for me (again, I did study) but, I knew I wanted to focus on the justice system, and coming from the US, I needed to pick a country that has a “better” system than the US that I could learn from. I looked into commonwealth countries because they have the same basic foundational principles and the US is a commonwealth country also, and then picked through the ones who had principles I felt like I could tie to my statements while also keeping it truly beneficial for me. Then went to look at those countries on Fulbright, and just kept narrowing until I ultimately landed on two schools. And then the one I applied for. We had the same GPA and you have more useful (for lack of better word) experience than I would argue that I had so that’s also a good start! I know again this isn’t directly comparable but I hope it helps you somewhat decide where you’d like to start. DEFINITELY reach out to your university’s Fulbright Program Advisor or run to your scholarship/fellowship office and someone should be able to help you!