Fulbright Scholar Program

Email US Fulbright Scholar Program

Program Details

Research Description

The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program is the largest program of its kind in the United States, awarding more than 800 fellowships annually. Over 400 different types of opportunities are available to teach, research and conduct professional projects in more than 135 countries. Whether you are higher education faculty and administrators, or, professionals, artists, journalists, scientists, and independent scholars outside of the academy, the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program has international opportunities to fit your needs and further your goals.

Fulbright Scholar Awards comprise the bulk of awards offered and include opportunities for professionals, artists, and scholars at all career-levels. Location and eligibility vary across all awards, and some awards may be restricted to certain career levels or types of scholars. The Global Scholar Award and the Fulbright Public Policy Fellowship are unique opportunities within the Fulbright Scholar awards.

Qualifications and Requirements

U.S. citizenship: Applicants must hold U.S. citizenship at the time of application. Permanent residence is not sufficient.

Residency abroad: Applicants who have resided abroad for five or more consecutive years in the six-year period preceding the application deadline are ineligible. A period of nine months or more during a calendar year constitutes a full year.

Degree and/or Experience: Award descriptions specify where a Ph.D., other terminal degree, or comparable professional qualifications are required. Current faculty, administrators, and experienced professionals are encouraged to apply. Postdoctoral candidates are encouraged to apply for postdoctoral awards. However, graduate or doctoral students seeking funding to complete their degrees are ineligible. Recent college graduates with limited professional experience are ineligible and should instead apply to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.

Prior Fulbright Scholar Awards: Recipients of a Fulbright Scholar award are eligible to apply for another award two years after the date of completion of the previous award. Recipients of a Fulbright Specialist Program grant are not required to adhere to the two-year waiting period before applying for a Fulbright Scholar award. Preference will be given to applicants who have not previously received a Scholar award.

Department of State employees and their immediate family: Employees and their immediate families (i.e. spouses and dependent children) of the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development, and of public or private organizations under contract to the U.S. Department of State are ineligible to apply for a Fulbright award until one year after termination of such employment.

Application Components

  1. Project Statement. Up to 5 pages.
  2. CV/Resume. Up to 6 pages; up to 8 pages for Distinguished Scholar awards.
  3. Letters of Recommendation. Two letters.
  4. Short Essays. Four essays.
  5. Bibliography. Required for Research and Teaching/Research awards, up to 3 pages.
  6. Syllabi/course outlines. Required for Teaching and Teaching/Research awards, up to 10 pages.
  7. Letter of Invitation from host institution. Only if required or recommended by award description.
  8. Language proficiency. Only if required or recommended by award description.
  9. Digital Portfolio. Only for applicants in the creative/performing arts and journalism. Portfolios are limited to no more than 10 images, 15 pages in length and/ or 30 minutes of audiovisual files.

For more detailed information go to the application requirements page.

Financial Compensation

Benefits vary by country and type of award. Generally speaking, Fulbright awards are budgeted to cover travel and living costs in-country for the grantee and their accompanying dependents. Check the award description in the Catalog of Awards and/or consult program staff responsible for the particular award you are interested in. For IEA awards, benefits vary by country but generally include round-trip travel, lodging, and a per diem that includes meals. Each award description details these benefits.