FOREIGN FULBRIGHT SCHOLARSHIP 2025

Administered by  binational Fulbright Commissions/Foundations or U.S. Embassies, the Fulbright Scholarships are offered to approximately 4,000 foreign students  each year for a Master’s or Doctorate degree . The Foreign Fulbright Program, part of the broader Fulbright initiative, is a flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government with a purpose to enable graduate students, young professionals and artists from abroad to study and conduct research in the United States. This also promotes mutual understanding and cultural diplomacy among US and other countries. 

Aspects	Details
Offered by	US Government
Type of Award	Merit Based
Level of Study	Postgraduate or PhD
Subjects/ Fields	All fields including interdisciplinary
Deadline	Varying (generally between Feb- Oct)
Website	https://foreign.fulbrightonline.org/about/foreign-student-program

Eligible countries for fulbright scholarships

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program is offered in more than 160 countries worldwide including-

• East Asia Pacific
• Middle East and North Africa
• Sub Saharan Africa
• Europe and Eurasia
• South and Central Asia
• Western Hemisphere

other fulbright scholarships for international candidates

There are a wide variety of Fulbright Scholarships for each level of study as well as professional requirements such as for students, scholars, educators, professionals and higher education institutions to choose from.

• The Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program
• Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program
• Fulbright Amazonia
• Fulbright Arctic Initiative
• Fulbright National Archives Heritage Science Fellowship
• Fulbright S-I-R Program
• Outreach Lecturing Fund
• Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
• Fulbright Specialist Program

scholarship benefits

• Visa sponsorship 
• Health benefit plan
• Enrichment activities
• A monthly stipend based on the cost of living 
• International travel benefits
• Accident & sickness health benefits
• 24/7 mental health support line 
• Dependents Allowance
• One time Allowances
• Other Additional support
• Dependents Financial support
• Housing Arrangements

eligibility criteria

The Foreign Fulbright Scholarship eligibility for program and selection procedure vary widely by country.  However, here is a broad eligibility category for you to have an understanding of the requirements:

• You should reside in the country of nomination at the time of application.
• You should have a bachelor’s degree or a degree equivalent to a US bachelor’s degree with a strong academic record.
• You should not possess US citizenship or any dual citizenship.
• English proficiency is a must as per the following scores:
• TOEFL (paper based)- 550
• TOEFL (internet based)- 79- 80
• IELTS– 6.5

documents required

• All academic transcripts of higher education
• Certificates of Non- degree programs
• Three Recommendation letters 
• Language Proficiency Exams
• SOP for Grant
• Personal Statement
• Affiliation Letter
• ‘Ethical Requirements’ for research involving humans or animals
• Other documents (depending on country)

application process

When you apply for a Fulbright Scholarship, there are two ways the placement can be arranged; theIIE-Placement and Self-Placement. According to the IIE Placement, candidates are required to submit their application and supporting documents to their respective Fulbright office per established country/award deadlines. The Placement Team will then use that information to apply to institutions on behalf of each candidate. However, according to the Self Placement model, candidates apply to universities directly and manage their applications with universities directly without a third party involvement.

The application process is different for each type of program, with the major categories as follows: Students, Scholars, Educators, Professionals, and Institutions; refer to the types of scholarships. Besides, the application and requirement will each depend on the country of your residence which you can access from above in the eligible countries section. Or you can simply click here to start your Fulbright Application.

important dates

Applications for Fulbright Scholarships are carried out on a rolling deadline varying by country. The scholarship generally opens 15 months prior to your intended program’s start date. Meaning, if you are starting your course in fall 2026, then you should begin your application in the early 2025. The Fulbright applications are quite comprehensive and therefore it is advisable to start early. The 2025-2026 Fulbright applications are now closed, the 2026-2027 applications  will open in Spring 2025.

selection process and criteria

The selection criteria for Fulbright scholarships are comprehensive and designed to identify outstanding candidates who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and a commitment to fostering mutual understanding between nations. Applicants must have a strong academic record, evidenced by their grades, research, and relevant coursework, along with a clear and innovative project proposal that highlights the potential impact on their field and both their home and host countries. Leadership qualities, as shown through extracurricular activities, community service, and professional achievements, are essential. Overall, the candidate’s goals must align with the mission of the Fulbright Program, demonstrating the potential for significant contributions to their field and fostering long-term international collaboration.

tips for applicants

• Craft your Grant Statement in two pages only including Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How of what you are proposing for your Fulbright grant.
• Give ample time to  your recommenders (at least 4- 5 weeks) to complete your recommendation letters.
• Your Personal Statement should strictly be a single page narrative as it is the maximum decided length.
• The Personal statement should be different from your grant statement and should be specifically related to you and your aspirations.
• Use 1-inch margins and Times New Roman 12-point font.  And at the top of each page include: Personal Statement on Line 1 and Your Name, Host Country, and Field of Study in Line 2.
• Refrain from using external links on Personal Statements as well as any personal contact information, such as email addresses or phone numbers, in your uploaded essays.

faqs