Fulbright U.S. Student applications for 2025-2026 continue to be reviewed as stated on Competition & Selection webpage. Any updates about application status will be communicated to the applicant over email.

2026-2027 Competition Deadline: Tuesday October 7, 2025 at 5 pm Eastern Time

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Current U.S. Student

United States citizens who are currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs are eligible to apply.If you are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a U.S. college or university, you will apply through that institution, even if you are not currently a resident there. Find the Fulbright Program Adviser on your campus.

U.S. Citizen but not a Student

If you are a U.S. citizen, will hold a bachelor’s degree by the award start date, and do not have a Ph.D. degree, then you are eligible to apply. Non-enrolled applicants should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Candidates with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

The Getting Started page will provide information on eligibility and next steps.

Artist

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program welcomes applications in the creative and performing arts. Arts candidates for the U.S. Student Program should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Artists with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

Creative & Performing Arts projects fall under the Study/Research grant category and are available in all countries where Study/Research grants are offered.

FPA

U.S. Professor/Administrator

If you are a U.S. citizen and a professor or administrator at a U.S. institution and are interested in applying for a Fulbright Scholar Award, you will need to apply through fulbrightscholars.org.

To support your students in applying for a U.S. Student Program award, please connect with the Fulbright Program Adviser at your institution.

Non U.S. Citizens

If you are a non-U.S. citizen interested in applying for a Fulbright Award to the United States, you will need to apply through the Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy in your home country. Find out more information on the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program or Fulbright Foreign Student Program.

Alumni Ambassador Selection

 

Each year, the Fulbright U.S. Student Program invites Fulbrighters who have completed their awards to apply for the Alumni Ambassador Program. This initiative was established in 2008 to identify and train approximately 20 Fulbrighters annually to serve as volunteer program representatives for a two-year term.

This program is led by the Fulbright U.S. Student Program Outreach & Recruitment, in collaboration with Fulbright Posts and Commissions, U.S. Embassies, and Fulbright Program Managers, to recommend alumni for the ambassador program. Final selections are approved by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

 

Commitment

Alumni Ambassadors are expected to commit 2 years, beginning in January, to sharing their Fulbright stories on campuses, at conferences, and online. IIE covers all pre-approved travel, lodging, and meal expenses associated with participation, including attending the in-person orientation. If you have any questions, please refer to the FAQ page.

 

Eligibility

Candidates must:

  • Have or will have successfully completed their Fulbright U.S. Student award in the last three grant cycles.
  • Have spent at least 6 months abroad on their award (unless the award duration was shorter).
  • Attend the virtual Pre-Orientation in early January.
  • Attend the in-person Alumni Ambassador Orientation in late January.
  • Reside in the United States in the first year of ambassadorship beginning in January.

 

General Timeline

Early to Mid-September A notification email of the upcoming application opening is sent to Fulbrighters who have or will have completed their award within the past three grant cycles.
Mid-September Application opens. Eligible Fulbrighters receive an invitation email with the application link. The application remains open for approximately two weeks.
End of September to Early October Application closes.
Early to Mid-November Applicants are notified of their status. Semi-finalists are invited to a 30-minute video interview.
Mid-November to Early December Video interviews with Semi-Finalists are conducted.
Mid-December Finalists and Alternates are notified.
Early January Alumni Ambassadors attend Virtual Pre-Orientation and complete onboarding requirements.
Late January Alumni Ambassador Orientation (in-person)