2026-2027 Competition is Now Closed. Please visit the Competition & Selection webpage for additional information.

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

United Kingdom

1 Fulbright/Queen's University Belfast Award in 'Conflict, Security and Contested Pasts'

Accepted Degree Levels
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Grant Period
Fall Start
Grant Length
10 Months
Award Type
Study/Research Partnership Award
Fulbright Graduate Degree Grants
  • Yes
Award Profile

The Fulbright-Queen’s University Belfast Award in 'Conflict, Security and Contested Pasts' covers a taught master’s degree in the school of Humanities, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics at the university.

Queen's University Belfast offers world-class education and research and is currently ranked in the global top 200.  It is a member of the Russell Group – a group of leading UK research-intensive universities and has been shaping a better world since 1845, tackling global challenges in health, food, conflict and technology to equip the next generation of future ready global citizens. Ranked in the global top 100 for Sustainability and 5th in the world for International Outlook (Times Higher 2026), Queen’s is taking the lead in equality, diversity and inclusion, being only the 2nd University in the UK to earn the Athena Swan Gold Award.   
 
With over 25,000 students, it is a thriving and friendly city centre campus with it’s Belfast location providing an affordable, accessible and vibrant student experience as well as a city leading on global investment and enterprise. Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton is the University’s Chancellor.  
 
The award, ‘Conflict, Security and Contested Pasts’, is limited to students studying for MA programmes in the School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics. The School is a vibrant interdisciplinary community with specialist teaching expertise, including in the study of peace and conflict transformation, terrorism and security, ethnomusicology, history public history, ethics, cultural and cognitive anthropology, political theory and philosophy. 
 
Our location in Northern Ireland (itself a post-conflict society) provides a unique environment in which to study MA programmes relating to the award theme of ‘Conflict, Security and Contested Pasts’. 
Many of the School’s graduate programs showcase Queen’s expertise in the study of conflict, security, and the challenges of dealing with controversial histories. Being itself a post-conflict society, and despite the many lessons that can be learned from its successful peace process, Northern Ireland continues to grapple with the challenges of its difficult past. This makes Queen’s University Belfast an ideal location for students to explore and debate the subjects of conflict, security and contested pasts in a scholarly way. Students will also benefit from the many visiting speakers who come to HAPP to discuss such issues, and similar experts hosted by The Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice at Queen’s.  

  • The award in ‘Conflict, Security and Contested Pasts’, is open to applications for the following programmes*:
  • Global Borders and Security
  • Conflict Transformation
  • Violence, Terrorism and Security
  • Geopolitics
  • International Relations 
  • International Public Policy 
  • Politics 
  • Philosophy 
  • Irish Studies  
  • Anthropology 
  • Public History
  • History 

*The coverage of these MA programmes are not restricted to the themes of the award, but applicants should demonstrate their specific interest in studying conflict, security or contested pasts’. 

Grant Length
10 Months
Grant Period
Fall Start

Master's programs in the UK typically last a year.  Unless otherwise stated, funding is provided for only the first year of the degree - although the grant period is 10 months, tuition waivers cover the entire first year and student visas are not impacted by grant length.

Stipend amounts are set and do not change based on length of the degree.

Orientation
In-Country Orientation

Pre-Departure webinars and in-Country Orientation 

Candidate Profile

The Commission is seeking applicants who demonstrate:

  • Rigor in scholarly enquiry and academic or professional excellence
  • Strong reasons for wishing to pursue the proposed project in the UK and a particular institution
  • A desire to gain a better understanding of the peoples and cultures of their host country
  • Commitment to the community through volunteer and extra-curricular activities
  • Flexibility and dynamism necessary to active involvement in the host country
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.

The Fulbright Program in the United Kingdom has formed strong bonds between the UK and the US since 1948. From the energy of large metropolitan cities to the charm of quaint towns, daily life as a Fulbright Postgraduate to the United Kingdom offers a wide array of experiences. Our awards unfold across the UK's diverse landscapes throughout England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.  

Navigating the country is made easy with efficient public transportation networks, allowing scholars to explore cities, countryside, and coastlines. Throughout the year, grantees engage in cultural events and festivals, immersing themselves in the arts, music, and local traditions. To name a few opportunities, previous Fulbrighters have participated in Highland games, organised writing workshops in picturesque locations, and visited National Trust properties across the UK.   
With over 160 universities, the UK is home to innovative and globally significant research and teaching projects spanning all disciplines and sectors. Fulbright awards are offered across all 4 nations and the British Virgin Islands, with a range of all disciplines awards and subject-specific awards.  

Candidates interested in applying for an award in the United Kingdom are advised to visit the US-UK Fulbright Commission's website for more information on the awards offered by the Commission and to hear from our alumni community.  

Explore firsthand accounts from US Postgraduates like Michael Yang, whose Fulbright year led to innovation in food science, Asael Rodriguez, who engaged with his host community of Canterbury through volunteering opportunities, and Katelyn Barnes and Paul Kyumin Lee, who deepened their work in peacebuilding and conflict resolution while researching in Belfast.  

 

Hear about Fulbright experiences from Cesar Cortorreal, 2022-23 Postgraduate Awardee here: 

 

 

Applicants may also wish to consult Universities UK, Universities Scotland, Universities Wales, and UK Research and Innovation for more information about higher education in the UK.  

Applicants may contact the US-UK Fulbright Commission with any queries by emailing fulbrightprogrammes@fulbright.org.uk  

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

The following applicants are ineligible for consideration:

  • Applicants who have extensive previous experience in the UK
  • Applicants whose proposals are to complete any part of a medical degree, including internships or residencies, or applicants who hold a Ph.D. at the time the grant is to begin
  • Applicants who have previously spent time at their selected university will be at a competitive disadvantage
  • Applicants who have spent six or more months in the host country in the year prior to the grant are ineligible for consideration unless the applicant is in the UK for an undergraduate study abroad program 
  • Applicants are ineligible for the 2027-2028 awards if they are residing or studying in the UK during the 2026-2027 academic year unless the applicant is in the UK for an undergraduate study abroad program.
  • Part time and distance learning masters/ research degree courses are ineligible for the Fulbright US Postgraduate awards to the United Kingdom
  • Applicants are also recommended to carefully read the eligibility criteria for the United Kingdom on the IIE website before selecting their chosen award 
Degree Level of Applicant
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Special Application Instructions

In your Fulbright online application, for Award Name, please select Fulbright Queen’s University Belfast Award in 'Conflict, Security and Contested Pasts' from the drop down menu. 

Applicants must complete two applications, the Fulbright application and Queen’s University Belfast’s free online application (according to the university’s admissions procedures and selection on the application I have already secured / hope to secure other funds). The Queen’s application will also open eligibility to other university specific scholarship awards. Applicants must submit their university applications as early as possible, ideally before January 13, 2027. Applicants who fail to do so may be at a competitive disadvantage.    
 
University applications for Queen’s University Belfast open in September 2026. There is no application fee for Queen’s University Belfast postgraduate courses. 

 

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.

Not Required
Fulbright Proposal Types
Independent Study/Research:
No
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
Yes
Letter of acceptance required prior to grant start
Affiliation

The institution does not provide letters of affiliation/support for master’s degree applicants.  
 
Applicants are not expected to have a letter of acceptance/admission to the university at time of application, but awards are made conditional upon acceptance by the chosen institution before arrival. 

Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Affiliation Fees/Tuition covered in grant benefits

Tuition for the first year of study will be waived internally by the host university. 

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.

1,999.10 monthly stipend amount in
£ [British Pound Sterling]

The UK Research and Innovation’s minimum amounts for studentship stipends are used as a guide for the monthly stipend amounts. The figures are based on the monthly amount over a 10-month grant period.

Estimated Cost of Living

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

For an idea of what to expect with regards to living costs within the UK, please refer to the British Council’s guidance on the cost of study for international students: https://study-uk.britishcouncil.org/moving-uk/cost-studying

Dependents
Dependent financial support is NOT available
Grant Amount
  • Full tuition waiver
  • £19,991 living stipend
  • $,1500 travel stipend
  • A small travel allowance and accommodation to attend required Fulbright Commission enrichment events

The living stipend is intended as a contribution towards general maintenance costs towards the first year in the UK.

Fulbright Program Management Contact
FBstudent.EUR@iie.org
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
http://www.fulbright.org/uk