The Fulbright Scholarship Program is one of the most well-known and prestigious programs globally. Helping scholars, students and mid-career professionals pursue higher education in the USA and the UK, a Fulbright Award can go a long way in helping you cover the cost of living and tuition when studying abroad. The Fulbright Commission also works with institutions and organisations to offer students educational opportunities and exchanges. Let’s take a closer look at Fulbright Scholarships, including the types of awards, what they offer and how to qualify.
What is the Fulbright Commission?
The Fulbright Program was created in 1946 by the Fulbright Commission, established by a treaty between the U.S. and UK governments. The program aimed to foster relations and international understanding by supporting promising students. The program now extends to include international students, visiting scholars and professionals. It is run by binational Fulbright Commissions funded by the U.S. and local governments, and the Fulbright Foreign Student Program operates in 160 countries globally.
The Fulbright alumni community is 25,000 strong and includes politicians, poets, researchers and scientists. Additionally, 14 Fulbright Scholars have won the Nobel Prize, and 61 have won a Pulitzer Prize. It is also a diverse alumni community with equity and excellence as guiding principles. The organisation maintains an active role in supporting debate and research globally on important issues. Further, academic excellence is highly regarded by the Fulbright Commission, with an acknowledgement of the difference this can make at individual and societal levels.
What type of Fulbright Awards are there?
Each year 8,000 grants and awards are given. Over half of these are for international students, with a further 900 given to visiting scholars from abroad. The award for which you qualify may depend on your nationality and location. Let’s take a look at the main awards on offer:
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program
- For international graduate students, professionals and artists to research and study in the USA. This includes visiting student researchers.
- Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Program
- Sponsored by the United States Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), the program gives educators from over 55 countries the chance to develop professional skills in the USA.
- Fulbright Scholarships to the USA
- For postgraduate UK citizens looking to study for a master’s or PhD. degree in the USA. It is open to all disciplines at accredited institutions.
- Fulbright Scholarships to the UK
- For postgraduate U.S. citizens aiming to study for a master’s or doctoral degree in the UK. It is open to all disciplines at accredited institutions.
There are also awards for specific subjects and specialisations, including fellowships for digital storytelling, music and public policy.
Discover more USA scholarships
What do the awards offer, and how do you qualify?
You’re probably wondering what each award offers and the eligibility requirements. Let’s review each of the Fulbright Awards.
Fulbright Foreign Student Program
4,000 awards are granted annually to postgraduate international students at the master’s and doctoral degree levels. The award offers:
- J-1 visa sponsorship
- Health benefit plan
- Funding support
- Enrichment activities
To qualify for the award, you will need:
- Be a resident in the country from which you are nominated. Dual U.S. citizens are not eligible for this program.
- Have the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree and an academic record of a high standard.
- Demonstrate the required English language ability. This is an IELTS overall score of 6.5 or above.
- Country-specific eligibility requirements may apply, so always check with the Fulbright Commission in your country.
Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Program
You must be nominated by a U.S. Embassy or Fulbright Commission to receive this award. To receive a nomination, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be a resident of the country in which you are nominated.
- Have a bachelor’s or master’s degree with a good academic record.
- Be an early career English teacher or training to become an English teacher.
- Demonstrate your English language ability with an IELTS overall score of 6.0 or higher.
- Be creative, adaptable, professional and mature.
Fulbright Scholarships to the USA
This award is available to UK citizens for postgraduate study in the USA. The value of the award varies but is an average of USD 45,000. In addition, a Fulbright Scholarship offers:
- J-1 visa sponsorship and pre-departure support and orientation.
- Sickness and accident cover.
- Support from the International Institute of Education in the USA.
- Access to a global network of over 300,000 academic and professional members.
- Field trips and visits to cultural attractions.
To qualify for a Fulbright Scholarship to the USA, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must be a UK citizen. However, applications from non-UK citizens who have committed to a life and career in the country may be considered.
- Demonstrate intention to return to the UK after completing your studies in the USA.
- Have an undergraduate degree with a minimum of 2:1 result.
- You must have a strong research proposal and demonstrate commitment to leadership, and intercultural and extracurricular activities.
Applications for the award open in April each year, with the deadline in October of the same year. If you are shortlisted, you must attend an interview and will be informed of the result approximately two months after this.
Discover some of the top student cities in the USA.
Fulbright Scholarships to the UK
This Fulbright Scholarship is for U.S. students pursuing a postgraduate degree in the UK. The value of the award differs, but generally offers:
- A tuition fee waiver
- Personal living allowance
- Medical cover
- Cultural events and programmes
- Arts and Culture Organisation membership
- Access to an academic and professional network of 300,000 members.
You can apply from April each year, with candidates shortlisted in the following February. Shortlisted candidates for this award will have to attend an interview.
Now that you have a better understanding of the Fulbright Awards and Scholarships, you will hopefully be in a better place to decide if they are right for you. Further information is available from the Fulbright Commission in your country and its U.S. Consulate or Embassy. If you are still considering university elsewhere in the world, you may like to look at our list of other fully funded scholarships for international students.
Chat with Couru
