United Kingdom
1 Fulbright/University of Reading Award in Food Security
Accepted Degree Levels
|
Grant PeriodFall StartGrant Length10 Months |
Award Type
Fulbright Graduate Degree Grants
- Yes
Award Profile
The Fulbright University of Reading Award covers a master’s degree in the faculty of Food and Nutritional Sciences.
This award is possible through generous legacy gifts by Harry and Jean Nursten to the University of Reading and to the US-UK Fulbright Commission. Harry Nursten was a Fulbrighter and a leading food scientist who chaired the University of Reading’s Food Science Department for 16 years. His experiences as a Fulbright Scholar were transformative both to his career and to food science in the UK. Jean Nursten was a noted sociologist who was also affiliated with the University of Reading. Both were committed to advancing knowledge, promoting civic engagement and developing students to be compassionate leaders, which align with the values of both the Department and the Commission.
An added attraction about this award is that it is paired with the Fulbright Nursten Award in Food Security for a British postgraduate student (also made possible thanks to the legacy gift from Harry and Jean Nursten). As part of their award both students will be required to collaborate on an initiative to share information and research on food security with the wider public on both sides of the Atlantic. The form this initiative takes will be up to the two students to develop with support from the US-UK Fulbright Commission.
Reading is a Top 30 UK University (QS World University Rankings, 2022) based in the South East of England, 25 minutes from central London by train.
Founded in 1892 as a University of Oxford extension college, Reading gained its Royal Charter in 1926. Every year the University of Reading welcomes in excess of 4,500 international students form around 160 countries to study. Reading is a campus university offering on-site student accommodation, and its beautiful parkland campus, Whiteknights, won the Green Flag Award for the top university green space in the UK for the 12th time in 2023.
The Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences is a global player in food and health research. Students benefit from access to the largest range of dedicated food laboratories in a UK university, extensive links with industry, and expert academics who work on cutting-edge research. The University of Reading is in the top 10 universities for food science in the UK (5th in The Times Good University Guide for Food Science, 2023).
Students also have the opportunity to use an extensive range of facilities, which are primarily used for supporting teaching and learning. These include:
- A large pilot plant, containing almost 1100m2 of floor space devoted to approximately £4m worth of food development equipment
- Advanced taste panel facilities
- Specialist research laboratories for assessing human gut microflora
The University of Reading is a research intensive university and the research environment within Food Sciences, has been judged to be conducive to produce world leading and internationally excellent research (REF, 2021 – Agriculture, Veterinary and Food Science). Its academics strive to produce impactful world leading research that will improve the quality and nutrition of food that will deliver real benefits for society.
The Fulbright University of Reading Award in Food Security offers funding for the following Master’s in Food and Nutritional Sciences:
Grant Length
Grant Period
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
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 at 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 for 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.
Step into Fulbright in the United Kingdom—a vibrant exchange opportunity that has weaved strong bonds between the UK and the US since 1948. From the buzzing 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 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
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
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
Special Application Instructions
In your Fulbright online application, for Award Name, please select Fulbright University of Reading Award from the drop down menu.
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.
Fulbright Proposal Types
No
Yes
Affiliation
Applicants are responsible for arranging their own affiliation and must apply for admission according to the relevant university’s admissions procedures. Applicants are not expected to have a letter of admission/affiliation at time of application, but awards are made conditional upon acceptance by the chosen institution before arrival.
Applicants will complete two applications, the Fulbright application and the university’s application (according to the university’s admissions procedures). Applicants must submit their university applications as early as possible, ideally before January 13, 2026. Applicants who fail to do so may be at a competitive disadvantage. The Fulbright Program does not cover the application fee for the university.
The institution does not typically provide letters of recommendation/ affiliation for master’s degree applicants.
Affiliation Fees/Tuition
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.
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
Grant Amount
- Full tuition waiver for the first year of study
- £19,503 living stipend a (contribution towards general maintenance costs, including airfare).
- 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.
Interviews
Based on university partner feedback, select semi-finalist applicants will be interviewed mid-February to early March. Interviews will take place via video conferencing.