Fulbright Foreign Student Grants Program

Fulbright Foreign Student Program

A mainstay of America’s public-diplomacy efforts, the Fulbright Foreign Student Program brings citizens of other countries to the United States for Master’s degree or Ph.D. study at U.S. universities or other appropriate institutions. The program has brought some of the world’s finest minds to U.S. campuses and offers program participants insight into U.S. society and values.

Many foreign Fulbright grantees are early-career professionals who will return to take leadership positions in their home countries, often working at universities or in government service.

More than 1,800 new Foreign Fulbright Fellows enter U.S. academic programs each year. Foreign students apply for Fulbright Fellowships through the Fulbright Commission/Foundation or U.S. Embassy in their home countries. The Institute of International Education (IIE) arranges academic placement for most Fulbright nominees and supervises participants during their stay in the United States.

Thinking of applying
The Fulbright Program for Foreign Students is administered by binational Fulbright Commissions/Foundations or U.S. Embassies. All Foreign Student Program applications are processed by these offices.

Program eligibility and selection procedures vary widely by country. If your country is not listed, you are not eligible to apply.

International Fulbright Science and Technology Award
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State sponsors the International Fulbright Science & Technology Award for Outstanding Foreign Students (Fulbright S&T) to provide exceptional foreign students with an opportunity to pursue Ph.D. study at top U.S. universities. Fulbright S&T is designed to be the most prestigious international scholarship in science and technology and to demonstrate the United States' commitment to welcoming top-notch future researchers and leaders to pursue serious scientific study and research at U.S. institutions. Grantees receive three years of funding from ECA followed by support from their U.S.host institution until the completion of Ph.D. programs.

Special Programs for Fulbright Grantees
- Fulbright Pre-academic Programs

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) provides funding for pre-academic programs, an integral component of its Fulbright Foreign Student Program. Pre-academic programs, which take place immediately before grantees begin their academic programs, include intensive English instruction, English language refinement, field-of-study instruction (if required) and orientation to U.S. society, culture and institutions.

All pre-academic program expenses (room and board, books and materials, and instruction, plus a $200 transit allowance) are covered. Travel is arranged by the Fulbright nominating agency, either the Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy in the Fulbright student’s home country, except as noted below. During this period of adjustment to life and study in the U.S. Fulbright students are also introduced to the Fulbright community, as well as the benefits and responsibilities of their Fulbright grants. IIE is careful to assign a concentration of Fulbright grantees to all pre-academic sites so they can immediately begin networking and become part of the Fulbright community.

Participating Fulbright grantees attend one of the following types of programs:
- Intensive English Programs
- Specially Designed Fulbright Pre-academic Programs
- Field-of-Study Professional Skills Development (if REQUIRED for academic admission)

- Gateway Orientations
Fulbright foreign students not participating in one of the above programs are invited to a gateway orientation. Please visit the Gateway Orientation section for additional information.

For further information, visit Fulbright Foreign Student Program website here