Quick Information
| Country | USA |
|---|---|
| Degree Level | Master's / PhD |
| Funding Type | Fully Funded |
| Scholarship Value | Full tuition, return airfare, health insurance, living costs |
| Last Verified Date | November 11, 2026 |
| Application Link | Apply via the official page |
| Official Source | https://foreign.fulbrightonline.org/apply |
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE), with AMIDEAST administering the program for most of the Middle East and North Africa. It funds graduate study and research in the United States — Master’s and Doctorate degrees — for students from more than 160 countries. Around 4,000 grants are awarded each year worldwide. There is no single global application: each country runs its own competition through its Fulbright Commission or Foundation, or through the U.S. Embassy where no Commission exists.
Overview
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international exchange program for graduate students, young professionals and artists. Grantees study for a Master’s or Doctorate degree, or carry out research, at a U.S. university. The program is administered in each country by a binational Fulbright Commission or Foundation, or by the U.S. Embassy. University placement is handled by IIE or AMIDEAST, depending on the region. Grantees enter the United States on a J-1 exchange visitor visa, which carries a two-year home-country physical presence requirement after the grant ends.
Scholarship Benefits
The award covers full tuition, return airfare, a health benefit plan, living costs and J-1 visa sponsorship, plus enrichment activities. The exact benefit package is set by the Fulbright office in the applicant’s home country, so confirm the details on that office’s own page.
Eligibility Criteria
The general requirements, which apply everywhere, are: reside in the country of nomination at the time of application; hold the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree with a good academic record by the program start date; be fluent in English, shown by a recommended recent score of no less than 550 on the paper-based TOEFL, 79–80 on the internet-based TOEFL (iBT), or 6.5 overall on IELTS (test scores can be sent to IIE with institutional code 2326); and do not hold U.S. citizenship — dual citizens are not eligible. Additional eligibility requirements differ by country of citizenship, including the degree levels offered and how university placement works — check the Fulbright office in your home country. The program funds graduate study and research only. It does not fund undergraduate study, and students cannot apply for programs with clinical requirements such as dentistry, medicine, pharmacy or nursing.
Available Fields
The program covers graduate study and research across most academic fields. The exact levels and fields offered differ by country, because each Fulbright office sets its own priorities — check the Fulbright office in your home country for the fields open in the current cycle.
Required Documents
Applicants should expect to provide academic transcripts and degree certificates, references, a statement of purpose, and English test results. The exact document list is set by the Fulbright office in the applicant’s home country — confirm it on that office’s own page before applying.
Application Process
Apply through the Fulbright Commission, Foundation or U.S. Embassy in your home country — find it on the official Fulbright site’s country list. That office runs the competition: it sets the deadline, screens applications and interviews shortlisted candidates. There is no direct application to the U.S. Department of State or to IIE. After selection, IIE or AMIDEAST arranges university placement.
Important Dates
There is no single global deadline. Deadlines are set by each country’s Fulbright office and usually fall between February and October each year. Check the Fulbright office in your home country for the current cycle’s dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fulbright fully funded?
Yes — it covers tuition, airfare, a health benefit plan and living costs, with J-1 visa sponsorship.
How many students does it support?
Around 4,000 students a year worldwide.
Where do I apply?
Through the Fulbright Commission, Foundation or U.S. Embassy in your home country — find it on the official Fulbright site.
Can I apply for an undergraduate degree?
No — the Foreign Student Program funds graduate study and research only.
Official source: Foreign Fulbright Program — How to Apply
