June 11, 2013

What is the Fulbright U.S. Student Program?

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program provides grants for individually designed study/research projects or for English Teaching Assistantships.  A candidate will submit a Statement of Grant Purpose defining activities to take place during one academic year in a participating country outside the U.S.

During their grants, Fulbrighters will meet, work, live with and learn from the people of the host country, sharing daily experiences.  The program facilitates cultural exchange through direct interaction on an individual basis in the classroom, field, home, and in routine tasks, allowing the grantee to gain an appreciation of others’ viewpoints and beliefs, the way they do things, and the way they think. Through engagement in the community, the individual will interact with their hosts on a one-to-one basis in an atmosphere of openness, academic integrity, and intellectual freedom, thereby promoting mutual understanding.

Grant lengths and dates vary by country. Please consult the specific country summary for details.

Applicants for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program include:

Recent graduates Graduating seniors and recent bachelor’s-degree recipients have some undergraduate preparation and/or direct work or internship experience related to the project.

Master’s and doctoral candidates Graduate-level candidates must demonstrate the capacity for independent study or research, together with a general knowledge of the history, culture, and current events of the countries to which they are applying.

Young professionals, including writers, creative and performing artists, journalists, and those in law, business, and other professional fields

Competitive candidates who have up to 5 years of professional study and/or experience in the field in which they are applying will be considered. Those with more than 5 years of experience should apply to the Council for International Exchange of Scholars in the Fulbright Scholar Program.

Competitive applicants to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program will not have recent extensive experience abroad (excluding recent undergraduate study abroad), especially in the country of application.

The application system for the 2014-2015 academic year opened on May 1, 2013, and will close at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time on October 15, 2013. Application procedures will vary slightly depending upon the type of applicant. However, all applications must be submitted through the Embark online application system. Detailed information on the 2014-2015 competition is available on our website.

As you prepare for the application process, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the program by reviewing the Application Components, Tips, and Timeline.

In addition, we encourage you to view IIE’s Tutorial and Recorded Webinar series, which will give you important information on Fulbright U.S. Student programs.

We would also recommend that you participate in IIE’s online information sessions. View the schedule here.

Types of Applicants

You will apply either through a U.S. institution or At-Large. If you are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a U.S. college or university, you are required to apply through that institution, even if you are not currently resident there. If you are not currently enrolled, you may apply through your alma mater, provided that the institution is willing and able to accommodate alumni applications.

All other candidates will apply as At-Large applicants from their states of permanent residence, even if they are currently overseas.