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.

Peru

3 Open Study/Research Award

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

The Fulbright Commission encourages applications from early-career professionals, recent graduates, and graduate students interested in conducting research for nine months at a higher education institution, non-profit organization, or research center in Peru. Applicants are required to affiliate with one of these institutions and submit a well-crafted research plan.

Preference will be given to research projects conducted outside of Lima and/or hosted by public institutions.

Grant Length
9 Months
Grant Period
August Start

Grant Duration: 9 months

Candidates are expected to begin their grants either in mid-August 2026 or mid-March 2027. Alternate start dates will only be considered under exceptional circumstances.

Orientation
Pre-Departure and In-Country Orientation

Mandatory:

All grantees are required to participate in a four-day virtual Pre-Departure orientation in mid-June 2026.

Additionally, all grantees must attend a two-day in-person orientation at the Fulbright Commission in Lima before beginning their grant activities, either in mid-August 2026 or mid-March 2027.

Candidate Profile

Applications are welcome from recent graduates, master’s degree students, and doctoral candidates across all fields of study. Applicants should submit a well-defined project proposal that includes a clear plan for engagement with the host community, demonstrates a strong working relationship with a proposed affiliate (preferably outside Lima or at a public university), and articulates how the proposed grant activities align with the applicant’s long-term goals.

Proficiency in Spanish is an important consideration in the selection process; strong Spanish skills will enhance the applicant's candidacy.

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.

Peru’s diverse landscape is composed of 59% jungle, 30% mountains, and 11% coast, making it one of the most ecologically rich countries in the world. It is home to 11 ecoregions and boasts 84 of the world’s 115 life zones. The climate varies widely depending on location: the jungle is humid and tropical with heavy rainfall; the mountains experience dry weather and significant daily temperature fluctuations; the northern coast enjoys sunshine year-round; and the central and southern coast have moderate temperatures, high humidity, and minimal rainfall.

With a rich history spanning over five thousand years, Peru is home to the oldest civilization in the Americas (Caral), one of the New Seven Wonders of the World (Machu Picchu), and several UNESCO World Heritage sites. In cities like Lima, Cusco, and Arequipa, Spanish colonial architecture blends with pre-Inca ruins and vibrant contemporary buildings.

"El país de todas las sangres" (The country of all bloods) is a Peruvian saying that honors the diverse migrations that have shaped Peru into a cultural melting pot. Each wave of migration has enriched the country’s culture and cuisine, and Peruvians take great pride in both their culinary traditions and their diverse ethnic heritage. However, many communities and individuals continue to confront discrimination. Both societal and government efforts are underway to raise awareness of this issue and your personal experiences may vary based on your location and role. Numerous resources are available to deepen your understanding of this topic in Peru.

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:
9 Months
  • Candidates currently residing in Peru, or those who will be living there during the 2025-2026 academic year, are not eligible for consideration.
  • A candidate who has lived outside the United States for five or more consecutive years within the six-year period preceding the application deadline will be ineligible.
  • Individuals with dual U.S.- Peru citizenship or permanent residency are eligible.
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.

Recommended

Additional Information: A higher level of Spanish proficiency may be required depending on the specific needs of the proposed project. Applicants should include a plan for language study in their Language Self-Evaluation, outlining any steps they intend to take between the time of application and the start of the grant. Additionally, a Foreign Language Evaluation from a college-level Spanish language instructor is recommended.

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

All grantees must be affiliated with a Peruvian organization. Potential affiliations include Peruvian universities, government agencies, or private organizations with a public interest focus, such as NGOs. Applicants are responsible for initiating affiliation arrangements and securing a letter of affiliation prior to submitting their applications.

Affiliation details must be finalized before traveling to Peru in order to obtain the appropriate visa. However, this can be completed between the grant award and the actual travel to the country.

Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Affiliation Fees/Tuition not covered in 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.

$1,320 monthly stipend amount in
$ [US Dollar]
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.

1,000 in
$ [US Dollar]
  • Research/Materials allowance
  • Settling in allowance

Both a $500 one time settling in allowance, and a $500 academic allowance will be provided upon arrival to Peru. 

 

Additional Grant Benefits
  • Mid-year seminar
Estimated Cost of Living

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

Approximately $1,062 USD in Lima/month.

This website may help you estimate the cost of living, meals, and incidentals in different capital cities. Significant differences can exist in smaller towns where costs tend to be lower.

Dependents
Dependent financial support is available

$100/month per dependent for up to 3 dependents.  Spouses and/or children are considered dependents.

Housing Arrangements

The Fulbright Commission does not assist with locating or securing housing for U.S. Fulbright grantees but is available to answer any specific questions regarding potential housing options. Your host institution should be your primary resource for assistance in finding accommodation.

Grant Purpose Considerations

Grantees may engage in research, take university courses, or pursue practical training through internships.

The Fulbright Commission encourages applications from all academic disciplines.

Topics such as border disputes and crime (including narcotics production and trafficking, illegal logging, and illegal mining) are considered sensitive. Applicants proposing projects on these issues must demonstrate a strong understanding of, and experience with, research in these areas.

The Fulbright Commission in Peru does not approve grants for work in regions designated as "emergency zones" by the Peruvian government or areas deemed high-risk by the U.S. State Department, such as the Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM).

Fulbright Program Management Contact
FBstudent.WHA@iie.org
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
http://www.fulbright.pe/
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Diana Costa: dcosta@fulbright.pe
Additional Online Resources
U.S. Embassy in Peru: https://pe.usembassy.gov/
U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Peru.html
Emergency Zones in Peru: https://www.indeci.gob.pe/respuesta/consolidado-de-declaratorias-de-estado-de-emergencia/