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.

Spain

12 Open Study/Research Award

Accepted Degree Levels
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Grant Period
September Start
Grant Length
9 Months
Award Type
Open Study/Research Award
Award Profile

Fulbright Spain's Open Study/Research awards are available to applicants from all academic disciplines. These awards aim to foster cultural, educational, and scientific exchange between the United States and Spain, providing grantees with opportunities for ongoing research collaboration.

Funding for this program is provided by the U.S. Government and the Spanish Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Education.

In line with its commitment to academic excellence, Fulbright Spain plans to host an Orientation Seminar upon grantees' arrival in Spain. Additionally, The Fulbright Commission in Spain will organize an annual Research Seminar for all Open Study/Research student grantees and Scholars. This event has proven highly successful in past editions, serving as a valuable academic gathering.

Grant Length
9 Months
Grant Period
September Start

Grants will begin on September 15, 2026.

Initiating the award at a later date in 2026-2027 will be considered only in exceptional circumstances.

 

Orientation
In-Country Orientation

All Fulbright Spain student grantees are required to attend the Orientation Seminar scheduled for the first half of September 2026. This orientation is designed to cover a wide array of topics essential for starting the grant year successfully and thriving during the time in Spain, such as grant benefits and obligations, cultural adaptation and navigating research in Spain, and more.

Candidate Profile

This award welcomes applications from graduating seniors, with priority given to those with previous research experience and advanced graduate students/doctoral candidates. Ideal candidates are mature, self-motivated individuals capable of working independently with minimal supervision.

The focus of these awards is primarily on independent graduate research in areas of mutual U.S./Spanish interest, with a particular emphasis on contemporary issues. While participation in university coursework may be considered, it should not be the sole purpose of the project, and grant benefits do not cover university fees. Please be aware that course availability may not be confirmed until after the commencement of the Fall 2026 semester, and enrollment for foreign students is not guaranteed.

What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?

Applicants are expected to research their host country. Application materials should indicate a clear commitment to the host country community and a description of how you will engage with it.

For a richer understanding, take a look at this reel featuring video testimonials from Researchers as they share their impressions of their Fulbright experience in Spain.

Eligibility
Residency in host country NOT permitted in year prior to grant
Dual citizens of this country are NOT eligible
Indicate how many months is considered residency:
3 Months

Candidates may not reside in Spain at the time of application or during the academic year prior to the grant. Study abroad in Spain as part of undergraduate studies is not considered residency in Spain. However, other full-time studies at an institution based in Spain or participation in an auxiliar de conversación program are considered residency in Spain.

Degree Level of Applicant
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) Form

If required, submission of the Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is mandatory, even if you have advanced skills or are a native speaker of the language. Failure to submit the required FLE form may impact your eligibility.

Required

Additional information: An advanced level of Spanish is recommended. Please make sure to include the Language Self-Evaluation and Foreign Language Evaluation in your Fulbright Online Application.

Applicants to regions with a co-official language: Proficiency in the co-official language is not required for this grant, unless required for the proposed project, but it is recommended to facilitate greater integration into the local community. Applicants should note their level of proficiency in the co-official language and/or how they intend to develop their basic proficiency in the Language Self-Evaluation.

Foreign Language Proficiency Level by Grant Start

If a Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is Required, applicants must have the following proficiency level by the start of the grant period. If a Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is Recommended, applicants are encouraged but not required to have the following level by the start of the grant period.

Intermediate
Fulbright Proposal Types
Independent Study/Research:
Yes
Letter required for independent study or research at deadline
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
No
Affiliation

Research centers and universities in Spain can be found at the following links:

Keep in mind that these lists are not exhaustive, and both public and private Spanish universities also offer ample research opportunities.

Applicants must arrange affiliation in Spain and submit a letter or letters of invitation indicating the name and position of the research adviser(s) with whom the applicant will collaborate as well as the availability of research resources. The letter is required to be signed by the research adviser and have the approval of the head of the corresponding department.

The U.S.-Spain Fulbright Commission provides extensive support to selected candidates regarding administrative issues, such as the visa and documentation processes, and ample pre-departure and arrival information. However, assistance in establishing contacts at prospective host institutions cannot be provided.

For applicants in the Creative and Performing Arts, letters of affiliation must be from an academic adviser affiliated with a host institution. Eligible host institutions for these applicants may include certified art and performance schools or non-profits/cultural foundations, such as museums. Affiliations with private teachers will not be eligible.  

Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Affiliation Fees/Tuition not covered in grant benefits

University fees are not covered by the grant benefits.

Award Benefits
  • A stipend broadly based on the cost of living in the host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to support housing, meals, and incidental costs during the grant period.
  • International travel benefits
  • Accident & sickness health benefits
  • 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
  • 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
Stipend Amount

This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.

1378 monthly stipend amount in
€ [Euro]

Grant benefits include a monthly stipend of €1,378.

One-Time Allowances

This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.

  • Research/Materials allowance
  • Settling in allowance

Predoctoral Researchers can enjoy a project allowance of up to €500, subject to Commission approval. This allowance can be used to cover pre-approved expenses. Eligible expenses encompass a range of Fulbright-related activities, such as research-related costs, conference attendance fees, language classes (Castellano or the co-official language of the region of residence), and expenses associated with community involvement or volunteering activities, provided they involve an intercultural exchange component.

Grant benefits include a one-time allowance payment for international travel (€1,100) and relocation expenses (€200).

Additional Grant Benefits
  • Health insurance (in addition to ASPE)
  • Mid-year seminar

The Mid-Year Seminar is an annual gathering of all Fulbright U.S. Student grantees in Spain in which grantees come together to share information about their grant projects and reflect on their Fulbright experiences at the midway point of their grant period.

U.S. Student Open Study/Research Award recipients in Spain are invited to join the US researcher and scholar cohort at a research seminar during the fall, providing a unique opportunity to connect, share insights, and engage in interdisciplinary discussions. To get a glimpse of past editions, check out this summary video from a previous Mediterranean Research Seminar held in Alicante.

Estimated Cost of Living

Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.

The cost of living in Spain can vary greatly depending on the region or city. For a reference point, you can check the estimates provided by Numbeo, a third-party database on costs of living.

Dependents
Dependent financial support is available

Grantees who are accompanied by dependents for at least 80% of the grant period are eligible to receive a single payment (€400).

Housing Arrangements

All Fulbright Spain grantees are required to arrange their own housing. The Commission provides ample resources to aid in the housing search in Spain, including webinars prior to departure.

Fulbright Program Management Contact
FBstudent.EUR@iie.org
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
http://www.fulbright.es
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Academic Advising Office: informacion@fulbright.es
Additional Online Resources
Fulbright US Predoctoral Researchers in Spain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSyq7z2jB4U
2023 Mediterranean Research Seminar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nlXJE9GBkk
Fulbright Spain Alumni Voices: https://youtu.be/rFJvIhDiEl4
We are 10,000 Fulbrighters!: https://youtu.be/TjSSoDRm2zE
2020-2021 Open Study/Research Grantee in Valencia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOCytyye55E&list=PL8BAAJraI1ppCAyBAsZLS1l4onlgg3WyK&index=2&ab_channel=FulbrightSpain
2020-2022 Open Study/Research Grantee in Vitoria-Gasteiz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qooGx9cdAO8&ab_channel=FulbrightSpain
2021-2022 Open Study/Research Grantee in Madrid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gralgtEBRvs&list=PL8BAAJraI1poUwpLQj-2gSIqr-HlXG3uL&index=2&ab_channel=FulbrightSpain