Fulbright

The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to “increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.”

The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program offers over 400 unique fellowships to U.S. citizens to teach, research and conduct professional projects in 135 countries across all world regions. Faculty and university administrators, as well as professionals and artists, can join the more than 400,000 Fulbrighters who have come away with enhanced skills, new connections, and greater mutual understanding.

Latest Updates

The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program 2024-25 competition is open!

Fulbright U.S. Scholar Awards give opportunities to U.S. citizens to teach, research and carry out professional projects around the world. Have you already started your Fulbright U.S. Scholar application for 2024-25? If so, great!

Do you have questions about the application? If so, join us for our open forum! As our competition deadline of September 15 is coming soon, we invite you to join us for an in depth look at the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program application process as well as the various components and required materials. This open forum will provide applicants a chance to ask their question live to IIE staff. Come prepared with your questions or simply listen along to learn from the conversation.

Curious to learn more?
Join the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Application Open Forum

  • Eligibility Requirements
  • Application Details (including guidance for all components of the application)
  • Review Criteria
  • Application and Review Timeline
  • 2023-24 Awards (Previous competition's awards for your reference. Note that updated awards for 2024-25 will be available in February 2023)

Want to stay in touch with the Fulbright Program to receive updates and application resources? Connect with Fulbright to register your interest. Do you know someone who would be a great candidate for a U.S. Scholar award? Refer a colleague and they can connect with IIE staff to learn what's possible through Fulbright.

We look forward to helping you explore all the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program has to offer.

Opportunities for Faculty & Staff

Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program General Resources


Share the Opportunity: If you know someone who would be a good fit for an award, you can directly refer a colleague to Fulbright. After receiving their information, the Fulbright office will reach out to them.

Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program

The Core Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program offers college and university faculty and administrators, professionals, journalists, lawyers, scientists, independent scholars, and many others awards to teach, conduct research, or combine teaching and research in over 125 countries.

The following presentation and Zoom recording are from the May 27, 2020, Fulbright Scholar Program at Illinois International.

Fulbright Specialists Program

The Fulbright Specialists Program is designed to provide short-term academic opportunities (two to six weeks) for U.S. faculty and professionals. Shorter grant lengths give specialists greater flexibility to pursue a grant that works best with their current academic or professional commitments.

Fulbright International Education Administrators Program

The Fulbright International Education Administrators Program supports annual seminars to introduce participants to the society, culture and higher education systems in Germany, Japan or Korea through campus visits, meetings with foreign colleagues and government officials, attendance at cultural events and briefings on education. Participants gain new perspective on the need to internationalize U.S. campuses and insight into how it can be done.

Fulbright-Fogarty Fellowships in Public Health

Fulbright-Fogarty Fellowships in Public Health have been newly established to promote post-doctoral research in public health in resource-limited settings. Apply to participate in conducting current research at sites affiliated with the Fogarty International Center (FIC) of the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence Program (S-I-R)

Would you like to host a scholar from outside the U.S. on your campus? The Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence Program (S-I-R) application is seeking institutions to host Fulbright Visiting Scholars.

S-I-R 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. Check the Fulbright website for upcoming program updates and details on how to apply!

Outreach Lecturing Fund: Invite Fulbright Visiting Scholars to your Campus

The Outreach Lecturing Fund (OLF) provides funding for campuses to virtually host Fulbright Visiting Scholars already in the United States for short-term speaking engagements. OLF enriches institutions and Visiting Scholars through lectures that will promote academic disciplines and cultural understanding. This is a great way to receive funding that brings expertise to your campus - and builds relationships for future collaboration.

Interested to host a scholar virtually next semester? Visit our site for details about the process and application guidance!

Meet our Alumni Ambassadors

The success and reputation of the Fulbright Program has been built on the talent, commitment and professionalism of scholars who have served as Fulbrighters at universities and research institutions in more than 160 countries. Recognizing the passion Fulbright Scholars bring to their work and the tremendous difference they have made, our engagement with the U.S. higher education community includes Fulbright U.S. Scholar alumni. Fulbright Scholar Alumni Ambassadors serve as official representatives of the Fulbright Scholar Program at select events. Meet our current Alumni Ambassadors!