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Fulbright Program offers opportunities to study, teach, conduct research, and carry out projects in more than 160 countries worldwide. While there are many types of awards, this page provides an overview of the most common programs.

Which type of Fulbright is for you?

Student

If you are a graduating university student, recent graduate, graduate student, early-career artist, language teacher, or other early-career professional, you can apply to pursue graduate study, conduct research, or teach your native language abroad.

Scholar

If you are a college or university faculty member or administrator, or a researcher, artist, or experienced professional, you can apply to lecture, conduct research, or pursue short- or long-term professional projects abroad.

Educator

If you are a primary or secondary school teacher, you can apply to go abroad to pursue individual projects, conduct research, take professional development courses, and share expertise.

Professional

If you are an experienced professional, you can apply to lecture, conduct research, or pursue short- or long-term professional projects abroad; early-career professionals can apply through the student programs. You do not need to be affiliated with a higher education institution to apply.

Higher Education Institution

If you represent a higher education institution, you can connect with Fulbright to host visiting students and scholars, including individual placements as well as Scholars-in-Residence (for U.S. institutions) or Specialists (for non-U.S. institutions).

U.S. Citizens

Students

Please review Fulbright U.S. Student eligibility requirements. Note that requirements may differ depending on the program or country.

The Fulbright Study/Research Award is the traditional award opportunity for a candidate to design a proposal to pursue coursework or undertake independent research in 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. Program requirements vary by country. Some countries have awards at specific institutions or in specific fields.

The Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Program places recent graduates and young professionals as English teaching assistants in primary and secondary schools or universities overseas, improving foreign students’ English language abilities and knowledge of the United States while increasing the U.S. student’s own language skills and knowledge of the host country. ETAs may also pursue individual study/research plans in addition to their teaching responsibilities.

The Fulbright-National Geographic Award Program is seeking proposals that undertake an in-depth examination of globally relevant issues as an add-on to the Fulbright Open Study/Research project. Funded projects will incorporate science, storytelling, and/or education, and must align with one or more of the Society’s five focus areas: Ocean, Land, Wildlife, Human History and Cultures, or Human Ingenuity. This award is made possible through a partnership between the U.S. Department of State and the National Geographic Society.

The Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, provides opportunities to doctoral candidates to engage in full-time dissertation research abroad in modern foreign languages and area studies. The program is designed to contribute to the development and improvement of the study of modern foreign languages and area studies in the United States.

Fulbright-Fogarty Fellowships in Public Health give medical students and graduate students interested in global health the opportunity to conduct research in public health and clinical research in resource-limited settings. Fellows spend nine months in one of nine countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, or South America. This Fellowship is offered in partnership with the Fogarty International Center of the U.S. National Institute of Health.

Scholars

The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program sends U.S. scholars and professionals to approximately 130 countries, where they lecture and/or conduct research in a wide variety of academic and professional fields. Current faculty, administrators, and experienced professionals are encouraged to apply. Postdoctoral candidates are encouraged to apply for postdoctoral awards. Click here to review Fulbright U.S. Scholar eligibility requirements.

The Fulbright Specialist Program, a short-term complement to the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program, sends experienced U.S. faculty and professionals to serve as expert consultants and engage in education and/or training activities for a period of two to six weeks. Specialists are hosted by a range of overseas institutions, including institutions of higher education, government institutions, cultural institutions, non-governmental organizations, and medical institutions. Note that eligibility for the Fulbright Specialist program may differ from the Fulbright U.S. Scholar guidelines.

Fulbright Amazonia brings together applied researchers from Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, the United States, and Venezuela to collaborate on action-oriented research with the goal of securing a sustainable Amazonian Basin. Working in multidisciplinary research teams, Fulbright Amazonia Scholars will explore socially relevant research questions and participate in group seminars and exchanges to inform actionable project outcomes and policies, directly improving the quality of life of communities throughout the Amazonian Basin.

The Fulbright Arctic Initiative supports scholars, researchers, and professionals from Arctic Council member countries to carry out collaborative research on public policy questions related to the unique challenges of the Arctic region. The goal is to create a network to stimulate international collaboration on Arctic issues while increasing mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.

The Fulbright International Education Administrators (IEA) Awards provide international education professionals and senior higher education officials an opportunity to engage in a two-week intensive seminar to learn about the host country’s education system and establish networks of U.S. and international colleagues.

The Fulbright Distinguished Scholar awards are viewed as among the most prestigious appointments in the Fulbright Scholar Program. Candidates should be senior scholars and have a significant publication and teaching record.

The Fulbright-Hays Faculty Research Abroad (FRA) Program is designed to contribute to the development and improvement of modern foreign language and area studies in the U.S. by providing opportunities for scholars to conduct research abroad.

Educators

The Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Research Program sends U.S. primary and secondary school teachers abroad for three to six months to pursue individual projects, conduct research, take courses for professional development, and share their expertise with local teachers and students. There is a short-term program option (two-six weeks) that sends expert U.S. teachers to support projects identified by U.S. Embassies and Fulbright Commissions in schools, teacher training colleges, government ministries, and educational non-governmental organizations.

The Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program is a professional development fellowship for elementary, middle, and high school teachers from the United States to participate in a program aimed at globalizing U.S. classrooms. The fellowship includes an online professional development course, a Global Education Symposium held in Washington, D.C., and a two-to-three-week international field experience.

The Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Program provides short-term study and travel seminars abroad for U.S. educators in the social sciences and humanities for the purpose of improving their understanding and knowledge of the peoples and cultures of other countries.

The Fulbright-Hays–Group Projects Abroad Program provides grants to support overseas projects in training, research, and curriculum development in modern foreign languages and area studies for teachers, students, and faculty engaged in a common endeavor.

Professionals

The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program sends U.S. scholars and professionals to approximately 130 countries, where they lecture and/or conduct research in a wide variety of academic and professional fields. Current faculty, administrators, and experienced professionals are encouraged to apply. Postdoctoral candidates are encouraged to apply for postdoctoral awards. Click here to review Fulbright U.S. Scholar eligibility requirements.

The Fulbright Specialist Program, a short-term complement to the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program, sends experienced U.S. faculty and professionals to serve as expert consultants and engage in education and/or training activities for a period of two to six weeks. Specialists are hosted by a range of overseas institutions, including insitutions of higher education, government institutions, cultural institutions, non-governmental organizations, and medical institutions. Note that eligibility for the Fulbright Specialist program may differ from the Fulbright U.S. Scholar guidelines.

Fulbright Amazonia brings together applied researchers from Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, the United States, and Venezuela to collaborate on action-oriented research with the goal of securing a sustainable Amazonian Basin. Working in multidisciplinary research teams, Fulbright Amazonia Scholars will explore socially relevant research questions and participate in group seminars and exchanges to inform actionable project outcomes and policies, directly improving the quality of life of communities throughout the Amazonian Basin.

The Fulbright Arctic Initiative supports scholars, researchers, and professionals from Arctic Council member countries to carry out collaborative research on public policy questions related to the unique challenges of the Arctic region. The goal is to create a network to stimulate international collaboration on Arctic issues while increasing mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.

Non-U.S. Citizens

Eligibility for the Foreign Fulbright Program varies by country and the specific program for which you are applying. Please contact your binational Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy for more detailed information.

Students

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program enables graduate students, young professionals, and artists from abroad to research and study in the United States for one year or longer at U.S. universities or other appropriate institutions. Application details and grant terms for the Fulbright Program vary by country of citizenship and program. Potential applicants should consult individual country pages for program availability and contact information or to see a list of current programs. For prospective applicants from Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, the UAE, West Bank and Gaza, or Yemen, please see this page for the Fulbright Foreign Student Program.

The Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Program places early career educators as FLTAs at U.S. colleges and universities —improving U.S. students’ foreign language abilities and knowledge of other countries. U.S. schools can apply to host FLTAs in over 30 languages. U.S. campuses enhance the teaching of languages and expose students to a true understanding of people of different nations.

Scholars

The Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program provides grants to foreign scholars to conduct postdoctoral research or teach at U.S. institutions for periods ranging from an academic semester to a full academic year.

Fulbright Amazonia will bring together applied researchers from Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, the United States, and Venezuela to collaborate on action-oriented research with the goal of securing a sustainable Amazonian Basin. Working in multidisciplinary research teams, Fulbright Amazonia Scholars will explore socially relevant research questions and participate in group seminars and exchanges to inform actionable project outcomes and policies, directly improving the quality of life of communities throughout the Amazonian Basin.

The Fulbright Arctic Initiative supports scholars, researchers, and professionals from Arctic Council member countries (Canada; the Kingdom of Denmark, including Greenland and the Faroe Islands; Finland; Iceland; Norway; Russia; and Sweden) to carry out collaborative research on public policy questions related to the unique challenges of the Arctic region. The goal is to create a network to stimulate international collaboration on Arctic issues while increasing mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.

The Fulbright-National Archives Heritage Science Fellowship, a component of the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program, provides an opportunity for a Fulbright visiting scholar to connect with National Archives and Record Administration scientists and experts while conducting research at the National Archives and Record Administration’s Heritage Science Research and Testing Lab in College Park, Maryland. This fellowship is made possible through a partnership between the U.S. Department of State and the National Archives and Records Administration. The award was established to support archival science education, conservation, and research.

The Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence (S-I-R) Program is a unique Fulbright Scholar Program initiative that is specifically driven by the goals of U.S. institutions of higher education to enhance internationalization efforts on their campuses. Through the S-I-R Program, institutions host a scholar from outside of the United States for a semester or full academic year to teach courses, assist in curriculum development, guest lecture, develop study abroad/exchange partnerships, and engage with the campus and the local community.

The Outreach Lecturing Fund (OLF) provides funding for campuses, especially Minority Serving Institutions, community colleges, small liberal arts colleges, women’s colleges, and art Colleges, and geographically underrepresented institutions, to host Fulbright Visiting Scholars already in the United States for short-term speaking engagements. The OLF award is designed to enrich both institutions and Visiting Scholars through lectures that promote academic disciplines and cultural understanding.

The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program provides 10 months of professional enrichment and non-degree graduate-level study in the United States for accomplished mid-level professionals from designated countries. Fellows are nominated by U.S. Embassies or Fulbright Commissions based on their potential for leadership and a demonstrated commitment to public service. The fellows are placed in groups by professional field at selected U.S. universities offering specially designed programs of study and training. This growing global network shares best practices and builds expertise in fields of critical importance to advance societal and institutional capacity, promote human rights and freedoms, ensure sustainable environments, and develop thriving communities.

Educators

The Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Program places early career educators as FLTAs at U.S. colleges and universities —improving U.S. students’ foreign language abilities and knowledge of other countries. U.S. schools can apply to host FLTAs in over 30 languages. U.S. campuses enhance the teaching of languages and expose students to a true understanding of people of different nations.

The Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence (S-I-R) Program is a unique Fulbright Scholar Program initiative that is specifically driven by the goals of U.S. institutions of higher education to enhance internationalization efforts on their campuses. Through the S-I-R Program, institutions host a scholar from outside of the United States for a semester or full academic year to teach courses, assist in curriculum development, guest lecture, develop study abroad/exchange partnerships, and engage with the campus and the local community.

The Outreach Lecturing Fund (OLF) provides funding for campuses, especially Minority Serving Institutions, community colleges, small liberal arts colleges, women’s colleges, and art Colleges, and geographically underrepresented institutions, to host Fulbright Visiting Scholars already in the United States for short-term speaking engagements. The OLF award is designed to enrich both institutions and Visiting Scholars through lectures that promote academic disciplines and cultural understanding.

The Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program brings international educators to the United States for a six-week professional learning program featuring academic seminars at a host university and co-teaching placements at U.S. primary and secondary schools. Fellows observe classrooms, team-teach, and share their expertise with educators and students at the host university and at a variety of public, private (secular or faith-based), or charter schools. Participants also take part in civic and cultural activities in their host communities.

The Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program for International Teachers brings international primary and secondary educators to the United States for a four-month program to complete an individual or group project; take courses for professional learning at a host university; and observe, collaborate, and share their expertise with U.S. colleagues in public, private (secular or faith-based), or charter schools.

Professionals

The Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program provides grants to foreign scholars to conduct postdoctoral research or teach at U.S. institutions for periods ranging from an academic semester to a full academic year.

Fulbright Amazonia will bring together applied researchers from Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, the United States, and Venezuela to collaborate on action-oriented research with the goal of securing a sustainable Amazonian Basin. Working in multidisciplinary research teams, Fulbright Amazonia Scholars will explore socially relevant research questions and participate in group seminars and exchanges to inform actionable project outcomes and policies, directly improving the quality of life of communities throughout the Amazonian Basin.

The Fulbright Arctic Initiative supports scholars, researchers, and professionals from Arctic Council member countries (Canada; the Kingdom of Denmark, including Greenland and the Faroe Islands; Finland; Iceland; Norway; Russia; and Sweden) to carry out collaborative research on public policy questions related to the unique challenges of the Arctic region. The goal is to create a network to stimulate international collaboration on Arctic issues while increasing mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.

The Fulbright-National Archives Heritage Science Fellowship, a component of the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program, provides an opportunity for a Fulbright visiting scholar to connect with National Archives and Record Administration scientists and experts while conducting research at the National Archives and Record Administration’s Heritage Science Research and Testing Lab in College Park, Maryland. This fellowship is made possible through a partnership between the U.S. Department of State and the National Archives and Records Administration. The award was established to support archival science education, conservation, and research.

The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program provides 10 months of professional enrichment and non-degree graduate-level study in the United States for accomplished mid-level professionals from designated countries. Fellows are nominated by U.S. Embassies or Fulbright Commissions based on their potential for leadership and a demonstrated commitment to public service. The fellows are placed in groups by professional field at selected U.S. universities offering specially designed programs of study and training. This growing global network shares best practices and builds expertise in fields of critical importance to advance societal and institutional capacity, promote human rights and freedoms, ensure sustainable environments, and develop thriving communities.