FACTORS IN SELECTION

Selection is made on the basis of:

• Academic or professional record.
• Language preparation.
  
  
  • Click here for list of countries offering supplemental language training.
  • Click here for the Critical Language Enhancement Award languages.
• Feasibility of the proposed study/research/teaching assistantship project.
• Personal qualifications
• Preference factors as established by the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FSB) and the Fulbright Commissions/Foundations.

Among other factors, selections are affected by:

• Extent to which the candidate and the project will help to advance the Fulbright aim of promoting mutual understanding among nations through engagement in the host community, among other activities.
• Ability of the supervising agencies abroad to arrange/confirm supervision.
• Requirements of the program in individual countries. In some countries, advanced-degree candidates are preferred, and in some countries, certain fields of study are not recommended. Check with IIE before filing an application if you do not meet country specifications.
• Ratio of the number of awards offered in a country to the number of applications received.  For example, the competition for some countries is especially keen, and many well-qualified applicants cannot be accommodated. Therefore, if your project can be accomplished in a less competitive country, your chances for success in the competition may be enhanced by applying in the less stringent country competition. Consult last year's competition statistics for comparative country statistics.
• Desirability of achieving wide institutional and geographic distribution.
  
• Other qualifications being equal, veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces receive preference.

STAGES IN SELECTION

Stage 1:  National Screening Committee Review (NSC). During November and December, specialists from U.S. institutions and organizations in various fields and area studies meet in the U.S. and recommend candidates for further consideration.

• Academic fields: Reviewed based on country or region by faculty from various disciplines with experience in the region.
• Creative and performing arts fields: Reviewed by specialists/faculty/professionals in each field, e.g., Creative Writing, Painting, Piano, and so on.
  
• Teaching Assistantships: Reviewed by foreign language or TOEFL professionals with world region experience.

If you are recommended for a Fulbright Grant in Stage 1, the following information may be helpful in understanding the next stages.

SELECTON PROCESS FAQs

Stage 2: Host Country Review. Applications of recommended candidates are transmitted to the supervising agencies abroadfor further review, particularly with regard to placement at foreign universities.

Final selection for Fulbright Grants is made by the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FSB), taking into account the recommendations of the NSC, availability of funds, approval of the supervising agencies abroad, and other program requirements. For non-Fulbright grants, the appropriate foreign government, university or private donor makes
the final selection.