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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.

Sri Lanka

3 Open Study/Research Award

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

This is a nine-month grant that offers the recipient an opportunity to independently develop a research proposal in a field of special interest or relevance to the grantee. The grant offers the opportunity for complete immersion in the research and is ideal for self-motivated and disciplined researchers.

The Commission welcomes research proposals in all fields of study (except clinical medical research) from applicants who display a strong commitment to their field of study as well as the promise of developing a long-term interest in Sri Lanka. Those who have not been to Sri Lanka before are encouraged to apply, as are applicants who display a genuine interest in new cultures and the willingness to be flexible and to adapt to a new environment.

Grant Length
9 Months
Grant Period
November Start

November through August. Fulbright Grantees are advised to arrive no earlier than a few days before the commencement of the in-country orientation program (a 3-5 day program) in Sri Lanka scheduled for mid-late November. Grantees must secure approval from the Fulbright Commission in Sri Lanka for their travel dates. The grant begins on the day the grantee arrives in Sri Lanka.

Orientation
In-Country Orientation
Candidate Profile

Preference will be given to candidates who are enrolled in a doctoral program in an American university. Applicants should present evidence of maturity and ability to adapt to conditions different from those in the United States. Fulbright Grantees should be capable of independent research without close supervision. The Commission staff will be available to provide guidance and support, where required.

Eligibility
Dual citizens of this country are NOT eligible
Residency in host country NOT permitted in year prior to grant
Indicate how many months is considered residency:
12 Months
Accepted Degree Levels
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Foreign Language Proficiency
Recommended - Novice

Additional Information: 

Knowledge of Sinhala or Tamil commensurate with the nature of the proposed project may be required prior to commencing the grant (but this is not essential). Applicants without local language skills should incorporate plans for language study into their Fulbright proposals. Projects should be designed in a manner appropriate for the language level of the applicant.

Fulbright Proposal Types
Independent Study/Research:
Yes
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
No
Affiliation
Independent Study/Research:
Letter recommended but not required at deadline

It is recommended that applicants identify appropriate host institutions for their projects and that they include affiliation letters along with their Fulbright application.

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

The Commission will secure free affiliations for grantees at universities (where there is an invitation letter provided with the application), however, this will not give grantees access to audit courses and to check out books from the library.

Dependents
Dependent financial support is NOT available
Fulbright Program Management Contact
FBstudent.SCA@iie.org
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
http://www.fulbrightsrilanka.com
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Sandarshi Gunawardena: sandarshi@fulbrightsrilanka.org