Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Offered by U.S. Department of State / Institute of International Education
About This Scholarship
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is the flagship international exchange program of the United States, awarding more than 1,800 grants annually for American students to study, conduct research, or teach English abroad for an academic year. Grants are available in all academic disciplines, including the creative and performing arts, across more than 140 countries.
Applicants choose between study/research awards — which can fund a year of graduate coursework or an independent research project abroad — and English Teaching Assistant (ETA) awards. Eligibility centers on U.S. citizenship and a bachelor's degree before the grant start date; graduating seniors, recent grads, and early-career professionals (typically with seven or fewer years of experience) all apply. Grant benefits vary by country but are designed to cover round-trip travel and living costs for the grant period.
The 2027-2028 competition is open now. The national application deadline is Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 5 p.m. Eastern, and there is no application fee. Students currently enrolled in college typically apply through their campus Fulbright advisor, often with an earlier internal deadline.
Eligibility
- U.S. citizen
- Bachelor's degree completed before the grant begins (current seniors may apply); no Ph.D. holders
- Applicants typically have seven or fewer years of professional experience in the field
- Country-specific requirements (language, project fit) vary by award
- No application fee
How To Apply
- Choose a country and award type (study/research or English Teaching Assistant) at us.fulbrightonline.org
- Prepare the statement of grant purpose, personal statement, recommendations, and any language evaluations; enrolled students should work through their campus Fulbright program advisor
- Submit the online application by October 6, 2026, at 5 p.m. Eastern
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a Fulbright grant worth?
It varies by country and award type. Grants are structured to cover round-trip transportation and living costs for the grant period, and some awards include tuition support; check the specific country summary for exact benefits.
Do I need to be in graduate school to apply?
No. Graduating college seniors and bachelor's degree holders are the largest applicant groups; you apply either through your college's Fulbright advisor or at-large as an alum.