The 2025-2026 application is now closed. The 2026-2027 competition will open in Spring 2025.

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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.

Global Resources:

Grant Benefits and Responsibilities

Who Manages Your Fulbright Grant?

The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). ECA administers the Program with the assistance of binational commissions and foundations, U.S. Embassies, and cooperating agencies in the United States, such as the Institute of International Education (IIE).

IIE assists the Department of State in the administration of the Fulbright Program for Scholars and Students. The staff at IIE will be your main point of contact before you depart for your Fulbright host country.

Once you leave the U.S. to begin your Fulbright grant, your main point of contact will be the U.S. Embassy (Post) or the Fulbright Commission in your host country. There are 49 Fulbright Commissions worldwide, most of which are funded jointly by the U.S. and host country governments. Commissions participate in the grantee selection process; designate qualified local educational institutions to host Fulbrighters; support U.S. Fulbrighters; and engage alumni. Where Fulbright Commissions do not exist, these functions are performed by the Public Affairs Sections at U.S. Embassies in cooperation with host country governments.

Find out if your host country has a Fulbright Commission.

Are you a Fulbright Student or a Fulbright Scholar?

The details of your grant vary depending on whether you are a Fulbright Scholar or a Fulbright Student.

You are a Fulbright Scholar if you:

  • have a Ph.D. or equivalent professional/terminal degree as appropriate; and
  • have been awarded a Fulbright Scholar award to lecture and/or conduct research, or conduct a professional project.

You are a Fulbright Student if you:

  • have a bachelor’s or master's degree, but do not have a doctoral degree; and,
  • have been awarded a Fulbright Student award to study or conduct research, or have been awarded a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant award.

Additional Information

U.S. Scholars

Visit the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Grantee webpage hosted by IIE to access documents associated with your grant, as well as required forms and additional information pertaining to your grant, including:

  • Health benefits;
  • Travel information;
  • Shipping materials abroad;
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Grantee report Information, and much more.

U.S. Students

Visit the Fulbright Finalist Resources Webpage to access documents associated with your grant, as well as required forms and additional information pertaining to your grant, including:

  • Information on Pre-Departure Orientations;
  • Information on loan deferments;
  • Terms and Conditions;
  • Health benefits, and much more