Fulbright Scholar Program
The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program sends approximately 800 American scholars and professionals per year to approximately 130 countries, where they lecture and/or conduct research in a wide variety of academic and professional fields. The program opens in early February with proposals typically due in mid-September. “Open” means that opportunities from all over the world begin to populate the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Catalog of Awards. This is where you need to go to find out what is being offered in the country you are interested in working in for 6 to 12 months. Note that some opportunities allow scholars to propose multiple stays of one to three months in the host country over a period of two to three years. Others allow, within a year, the ability to stay in several countries. The opportunity announcement in the Catalog of Awards will indicate if this flexibility is possible.
To find out how to apply for this program, please go to the Fulbright website. It is very informative and takes you through the application process. It is also very explicit about the information that needs to be in each section of the proposal. Below is a quick synopsis of key information from the site.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Fulbright Scholar Program you must be a U.S. citizen – permanent residency is not sufficient. Other requirements address residency abroad, degree and/or experience abroad, and previous Fulbright award. View a full listing of the eligibility requirements.
Find an overseas opportunity
The Fulbright Scholar Program offers a database of overseas grant opportunities called the Catalog of Awards. Search by country, discipline, award length and activity type. Each entry includes information on award details, award requirements, award benefits and a country/region overview.
Those interested in the scholars program are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the types of opportunities available in the country of their choice. Some of these opportunities are announced on opportunity databases like PIVOT and these will be included in the Funding Connection section of Research Weekly. However, the Catalog of Awards includes all of the opportunities available for the year under the scholars program.
Application
Applicants must complete the online application and provide:
- A project statement.
- Tailored curriculum vitae.
- Short essays.
- Recommendation letters.
- A portfolio (if your discipline requires it).
Applicants doing research must also provide a bibliography/reference list containing sources reflecting the current state of research/work relative to the proposed research project.
Those seeking a teaching opportunity must provide a syllabus/course outline.
Applicants interested in a combined teaching/research position must provide both.
Find details and examples of requirements on the Application section of the Fulbright Scholars website. You will need to scroll down the page to find these as well as a detailed explanation of each section of the proposal
Contacts
Important contacts for you are: Mary Lou Marino (mlmarino@ksu.edu), KSU Fulbright Liaison, who can help you with the program’s requirements and from the Provost’s office who can help you with how to manage your leave from K-State. You should also contact your department’s Office of Sponsored Programs’ Grant Specialist who can help you with the submission itself.
Review criteria
View complete review criteria under the Review Criteria section of the Fulbright Scholars website.
Typically two reviews are done. A peer review is conducted in Washington D.C. that examines the discipline credentials and project. If recommended for further consideration, the application then goes to the host country for further review.
Timeline
February
The program opens and new opportunities begin to populate the Catalog of Awards.
October-November
Peer Review Committees meet in Washington D.C. to review and determine whether or not applications are recommended for further consideration in the host country.
December-May
The Public Affairs Sections of U.S. Embassies (Posts) or binational Fulbright Commissions overseas review recommended applications and nominate candidates for selection.
January-June
All recommended submissions are forwarded to the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board for approval. IIE/CIES notifies candidates whether they have been selected to receive a Fulbright award.
June onward
Grant details are finalized and grantees may begin per start dates listed in the Catalog of Awards.
Additional information
Each year the Office of Research Development offers a Fulbright Information Session which features past Fulbright Scholar awardees. This is an excellent opportunity to hear about their experiences and receive practical advice about this program and how to apply. Attendees are offered ample time for questions. These sessions typically are scheduled for late November or early December. View helpful webinars about the programs.