Fulbright Programs for U.S. Students
Below is an overview of the program. Please make sure that you review all information available on the website for this fellowship: program overview, timeline, application handouts, FAQs, etc.
overview
Goals and Purpose: The United States Department of State, through the Institute of International Education (IIE) and in conjunction with foreign governments and universities, annually awards approximately 1,200 grants supporting graduate study and research in over 140 countries. The purpose of the program, as envisioned by Senator J. William Fulbright, is three-fold:
Duration: Most grants are awarded for programs of study for one academic year.
- To promote mutual understanding through a commitment to the free flow of ideas and people across national boundaries;
- To expand, through this understanding, the boundaries of human wisdom, empathy and perception;
- To create true and lasting world peace through cooperation in constructive activities among people of different nations.
Duration: Most grants are awarded for programs of study for one academic year.
eligibility
U.S. citizens who will hold at least a bachelor's degree or its equivalent prior to undertaking the grant are eligible to apply. Creative and performing artists are not required to hold a bachelor's degree, but they must have four years of professional study or equivalent experience. In many cases, candidates must be proficient in the language of the proposed host country.
If you already hold a Ph.D., you should apply for a Fulbright Fellowship through CIES (Council for International Exchange of Scholars). If you hold an M.F.A. (considered a terminal degree in art) you are generally eligible to apply for a Fulbright along as it is within two years of graduation. Otherwise, you will need to apply through the CIES program.
If you already hold a Ph.D., you should apply for a Fulbright Fellowship through CIES (Council for International Exchange of Scholars). If you hold an M.F.A. (considered a terminal degree in art) you are generally eligible to apply for a Fulbright along as it is within two years of graduation. Otherwise, you will need to apply through the CIES program.
types of grants
The Fulbright program offers three types of grants as well as special grant opportunities for U.S. students:
Full Grants: Full grants are for students who wish to embark on research in their field of interest or complete a course of graduate study. Please note that graduate study programs must be completed within one year unless otherwise noted in the country description of the Fulbright handbook. Full grants generally provide round-trip transportation; language or orientation courses (where appropriate), tuition in some cases, book and research allowances, maintenance for the academic year (based on living costs in the host country), and supplemental health and accident insurance. Full grants are generally the most competitive grants offered.
Travel Grants: Fulbright travel grants provide round-trip transportation to the country where the student will pursue studies for an academic year, supplemental health and accident insurance, and the cost of an orientation course abroad, if applicable. Travel grants may supplement fellowships not administered by IIE or a student's own funds for study and are available only for certain countries.
Teaching Assistantships: Teaching assistantships in English are offered in many countries where the Fulbright program is in existence. These grants offer students the opportunity to teach English to university students within the host country. Teaching assistants teach under the advisement of professors at the host academic institution. Placement is determined by availability and need within the host country. Generally, these grants are not as competitive as full or travel grants.
Special Programs: The Fulbright program also offers a limited number of subject specific grants. These change from time to time but currently include Business Grants, the Islamic Civilization Initiative, and the Language Training Initiative. These grants are restricted to specific countries and subject matter. (See the Fulbright website for further details.)
Full Grants: Full grants are for students who wish to embark on research in their field of interest or complete a course of graduate study. Please note that graduate study programs must be completed within one year unless otherwise noted in the country description of the Fulbright handbook. Full grants generally provide round-trip transportation; language or orientation courses (where appropriate), tuition in some cases, book and research allowances, maintenance for the academic year (based on living costs in the host country), and supplemental health and accident insurance. Full grants are generally the most competitive grants offered.
Travel Grants: Fulbright travel grants provide round-trip transportation to the country where the student will pursue studies for an academic year, supplemental health and accident insurance, and the cost of an orientation course abroad, if applicable. Travel grants may supplement fellowships not administered by IIE or a student's own funds for study and are available only for certain countries.
Teaching Assistantships: Teaching assistantships in English are offered in many countries where the Fulbright program is in existence. These grants offer students the opportunity to teach English to university students within the host country. Teaching assistants teach under the advisement of professors at the host academic institution. Placement is determined by availability and need within the host country. Generally, these grants are not as competitive as full or travel grants.
Special Programs: The Fulbright program also offers a limited number of subject specific grants. These change from time to time but currently include Business Grants, the Islamic Civilization Initiative, and the Language Training Initiative. These grants are restricted to specific countries and subject matter. (See the Fulbright website for further details.)
requesting an informational interview at rit
Once you have reviewed information on this website, the Fulbright website, determined your eligibility, and considered where and what type of grant you would be interested in applying for, you are encouraged to schedule an informational interview with one of our advisors. Please see the resources page for contact information.