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United States citizens who are currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs are eligible to apply. All applicants enrolled in U.S institutions must apply through their home campuses. Find the Fulbright Program Adviser on your campus.
If you are an undergraduate student, you are eligible to apply in the fall of your senior year. If you are a graduate student, you are eligible as long as you will not have a PhD degree by the application deadline.
If you are a U.S. citizen, hold a bachelor’s degree, and do not have a PhD degree, then you are eligible to apply. Non-enrolled applicants are encouraged to contact the Fulbright Program Adviser at their most recent alma mater to inquire if the institution can support alumni/ae through the application process. If not, non-enrolled applicants are welcome to apply at “at-large” candidates.
Non-enrolled applicant 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.
Please visit the Getting Started page for next steps.
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.
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If you are a U.S. citizen and faculty or staff at a U.S. institution, or professional interested in applying, please visit the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program.
If you are a non-U.S. citizen interested in applying for a Fulbright Award to come 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 or Student Program.
The U.S. Department of State regards exchange participant safety and security as a top priority. Through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and U.S. Embassies abroad, and in cooperation with binational Fulbright Commissions and the Institute for International Education, the Department makes every effort to ensure that Fulbright grantees are provided necessary support in case of emergencies.
The U.S. Department of State’s travel.state.gov website provides a number of resources, including advice on crime overseas and details regarding countries. Once in the host country, your Fulbright Commission and/or Embassy will brief you and provide materials on emergency contacts and what to do if you find yourself in a crisis situation. The following information is provided as an introduction and to stimulate safe thinking about your new Fulbright experience overseas.
Natural disasters, crime and terrorism happen without warning: your best strategy is to be prepared for all. Upon arrival, take the time to locate your nearest police station, hospital and medical centers. Know your Fulbright Program contact points in-country. Keep emergency numbers at home in an easy to find place. Carry some key phone numbers at all times and don’t rely on your cell phone directory, as cell phones can freeze, become overloaded, run out of battery power, or are stolen. Don’t wait until you are in a crisis to get prepared.
Be sure you register with the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) as the U.S. Embassy will contact U.S. Citizens registered with STEP in an emergency. As a Fulbrighter, you are sponsored by the U.S. government as an exchange participant. You are, however, a private citizen abroad who is not under official Embassy authority. Nevertheless, if it is not provided as part of an orientation on arrival, you may request a security briefing through the Commission or Embassy and ask if there is an Emergency Action Plan for Fulbrighters. Be aware of what is expected of you in an emergency.
Crime is a problem worldwide; one can be a victim of crimes such as muggings, robberies, pickpocketing, burglaries, sexual assaults and beatings both in the United States and abroad. There is no way to protect oneself completely from crime. However, the following commonsense actions may be helpful:
It is important to be able to confirm your safety in emergency situations. Please make sure your contacts in the United States have telephone numbers and emails for the Fulbright program in the United States and your host country.
Keep a contact list for local assistance in your cell phone, and a hard copy in your wallet and at home, including the phone number of your point of contact at the Fulbright Commission or the Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy, colleagues at your host institution, and fellow Fulbrighters in-country. As noted, when preparing for your Fulbright grant, enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), so the U.S. Department of State can better assist you in an emergency.
The primary emergency contact for Fulbrighters abroad will be the Fulbright Commission or the U.S. Embassy in the host country. Your IIE Fulbright Advisor should also be notified in an emergency situation.
Fulbrighters can also contact the American Citizens Services “duty officer” at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate, including during non-business hours. Fulbright grantees are reminded that English-speaking counselors are available at all hours at ASPE ASSIST. As ASPE ASSIST is a confidential service, you may also want to advise your point of contact at the Commission or Embassy about your situation at the same time. They will direct you to further resources that can help.
Family members can contact the U.S. Department of State’s Overseas Citizens Services:
Harassment is defined as behavior that is persistent and is intended to disturb and upset. There are different types of harassment, including psychological, racial, religious, police and sexual harassment. A target can be verbally, physically and psychologically harassed and stalked; tormented, intimidated, degraded and discriminated against.
Sexual harassment is defined as unwanted sexual advances or visual, verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Although sexual harassment may not involve physical assault, it can be used by potential perpetrators to test the boundaries of potential victims. Therefore, it is important for grantees to stay aware of the prevalence of sexual harassment and how best to respond.
Sexual harassment and sexual assault are a concern worldwide. Fulbrighters should be vigilant and cautious in the host country and try to reduce risks as much as possible. Ask questions during security briefings and orientations with the Commission/Embassy that are specific to the host location.
It can be challenging to mitigate harassment while overseas due to language barriers, new surroundings and lack of familiar cultural signals and cues. Here are some tips for Fulbrighters:
If you are the victim of harassment, please contact your Fulbright contacts at the Commission or Embassy in your host country immediately. These professionals are there to support you and can be a safe haven for you when experiencing difficulties. Harassment is often best handled by staff in the host country who are familiar with the cultural nuances and norms exhibited in a particular region or country, and Commission/Embassy staff can guide you to resources and provide support.
You may also reach out to ASPE ASSIST counselors who are able to provide on-the-spot advice and support to Fulbrighters in urgent and non-urgent situations. The counselors responding to Fulbrighters’ calls are trained to handle serious situations, such as sexual assaults and mental health crises. They can also provide medical advice.
As ASPE ASSIST is a confidential service, you may also want to advise your point of contact at the Commission or Embassy about your situation. They will direct you to further resources.
The Fulbright Program will provide a compassionate and supportive response to all Fulbright grantees in crisis and makes the following commitment to all Fulbrighters who are victims of sexual or physical assault.
PRIVACY - We will respect your privacy and will not, without your consent, disclose your identity or share the details of the incident with anyone who does not have a legitimate need to know.
Fulbright staff worldwide will demonstrate this commitment to you through their words and actions. In the event of rape or sexual assault, Fulbright grantees should call designated contacts at either Embassy or Fulbright Commission or reach out to the Embassy’s duty officer for help outside of normal business hours. They will guide you through the procedures needed to ensure your safety and advise you about your legal rights and how best to preserve the option to prosecute.
Sexual assault can happen to anyone, any time and any place. Recognizing that cultural norms and laws differ from country to country, it is critical that grantees seek advice from their Commission or Embassy about how best to proceed in the aftermath of any kind of assault. Grantees should also avail themselves of counseling and medical assistance provided by the Fulbright Program. The checklist below is typical of the kind of actions a grantee should consider in cases of assault.
Attitudes and laws towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals differ around the world. While tolerance is increasing in many countries, some countries still criminalize homosexuality. Fulbrighters should research the host country prior to their departure from the U.S., particularly if they intend to be accompanied by their same-sex partner during the Fulbright grant. Fulbrighters should also review the following resources:
If you encounter any problems or if you are harassed or threatened due to your sexual orientation or gender identity, contact the Fulbright Commission and/or Embassy in your host country.
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