General Information

(compiled with the input and advice of Tony Claudino, Project Manager for the Fulbright Student Program Outreach, and Alice Ilchman, former Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs)

Broadly speaking, the Fulbright is for recent college graduates, graduate students, and post-doctoral scholars, providing funding for international exchanges by bringing foreign scholars to the U.S. and sending U.S. scholars abroad.

The Fulbright Program is something of an anomaly among prestigious fellowships, due to its size and diversity. At least 12 different types of programs exist under the “meta-program” umbrella of the Fulbright, ranging from programs for newly-minted B.A.s to programs for established and distinguished professors. Each of these programs has its own eligibility requirements and award benefits. However, many of these programs are themselves umbrellas for a variety of country- or region-specific sub-programs, each with its own unique requirements, specifications, and benefits. The trick is to figure out which program you are eligible for and then find which specific sub-program(s) you are ideally suited for. At that point, you can go to the Fulbright websites for detailed information on the minutiae of that sub-program and how best to apply for it. If you have a Ph.D., head over to www.cies.org for a program for you. All other American applicants should be able to find their program at www.fulbrightonline.org. All International students should contact the Fulbright Commission or the U.S. Embassy in their home country.

Although some of the programs require a doctorate as a prerequisite, the largest one – the Fulbright Program for U.S. Students – is designed for students who have completed an undergraduate degree but who have not yet completed a doctorate (with the exceptions of J.D.s or M.D.s, who are encouraged to apply to the Program).

Don’t be discouraged if your school isn’t known for producing Fulbright Scholars: there is a strong interest in candidates from institutions that have rarely or never had a successful Fulbright applicant.

Knowledge of a foreign language is helpful, but not strictly necessary for many programs. “Survival level” language skills are sufficient in many countries, and such proficiency can often be acquired between applying for and starting a grant.

While the Fulbright is usually given preferentially to applicants who have not had long-term experience in the country to which they are applying, this certainly does not disqualify applicants with previous in-country experience. In fact, reviewers do recognize the increased academic and ambassadorial value that can come with prior familiarity with a country/region, and this is occasionally viewed as a mark in favor of rather than against a candidate.

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