Fulbright U.S. Student Program - Open Study/Research Awards Grant

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers grants for individually designed study/research projects or English Teaching Assistantships in approximately 140 countries. Applicants design their own projects, collaborate with foreign advisers, and immerse themselves in local cultures. This program fosters mutual understanding through direct engagement with host communities, enhancing cultural exchange and personal growth. Eligibility includes U.S. citizenship, a conferred bachelor's degree, and language competency. Strong preference is given to first-time applicants and those with U.S. educational backgrounds.

The Fulbright Study/Research Award is the traditional award opportunity where a candidate designs a proposal for a specific country.
Applicants for study/research awards design their own projects and will typically work with advisers at foreign universities or other institutes of higher education. The study/research awards are available in approximately 140 countries. Program requirements vary by country, so the applicants' first step is to familiarize themselves with the program summary for the host country.
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program provides grants for individually designed study/research projects or for English Teaching Assistantships. A candidate will submit a Statement of Grant Purpose defining activities to take place during one academic year in a participating country outside the U.S.
During their grants, Fulbrighters will meet, work, live with and learn from the people of the host country, sharing daily experiences. The program facilitates cultural exchange through direct interaction on an individual basis in the classroom, field, home, and in routine tasks, allowing the grantee to gain an appreciation of others’ viewpoints and beliefs, the way they do things, and the way they think. Through engagement in the community, the individual will interact with their hosts on a one-to-one basis in an atmosphere of openness, academic integrity, and intellectual freedom, thereby promoting mutual understanding.

Eligibility

Applicants for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program include:Recent graduates: Graduating seniors and recent bachelor’s-degree recipients have some undergraduate preparation and/or direct work or internship experience related to the project.Master's and doctoral candidates: Graduate-level candidates must demonstrate the capacity for independent study or research, together with a general knowledge of the history, culture, and current events of the countries to which they are applying.Young professionals, including writers, creative and performing artists, journalists, and those in law, business, and other professional fields: Competitive candidates who have up to 5 years of professional study and/or experience in the field in which they are applying will be considered. Applicants must be U.S. citizens at the time of application.Applicants must have a conferred bachelor's degree or the equivalent before the start of the grant.Applicants must meet the language requirements of the award to which they are applying and demonstrate sufficient competency to complete their project and adjust to life in the host country.Applicants may hold a J.D. at the time of application.Doctors of Medicine may receive grants for advanced academic study, but not for internships or residencies.

Ineligibility

The following are not eligible for consideration:Applicants holding a doctoral degree at the time of application.Applicants seeking enrollment in a medical degree program abroad.Anyone who has resided abroad for five or more consecutive years in the six-year period preceding the date of application.Employees of the U.S. Department of State, and their immediate families, for a period ending one year following termination of such employment.This provision does not include part-time or temporary employees, consultants, and contract employees of the Department of State, unless such persons perform services related to the Bureau’s exchange programs.Employees of private and public agencies (excluding educational institutions) under contract to the U.S. Department of State to perform administrative or screening services on behalf of the U.S. Department of State’s exchange program, for a period ending one year following the termination of their services for the U.S. Department of State provided such employees have been directly engaged in performing services related to the exchange programs.Officers of an organization, in the United States or abroad, including members of boards of trustees or similar governing bodies, or individuals otherwise associated with the organization, wherein the organization and the individuals are responsible for nominating or selecting individuals for participation in any exchange program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.Board members or staff of a Fulbright Commission.Members of the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.Immediate families (spouses and dependent children) of individuals described above. This provision does not disqualify self-supporting children who live apart from their parents. In some cases it may not be feasible for a dual national to participate in a Fulbright program in the country of his or her other nationality due to host country law or policy. Therefore, it is incumbent upon candidates to ascertain whether they have, or are eligible to have, their host country’s nationality and to address any potential consequences thereof before they accept an award. In the these countries, dual nationals of the country may NOT apply to that country.