Faculty should discuss their Fulbright plans and appropriate leave options with their department chair as soon as possible to ensure the greatest range of options and flexibility. The department chair should then discuss the plan with the dean(s). Ideally, these discussions would occur prior to the faculty member applying for the award.

The Fulbright Program offers a number of research and/or teaching grants for college and university faculty members at all career stages that can last up to a year. Generally, a Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree is required to apply for a Fulbright Scholar Program grant. Faculty without a Ph.D. or the equivalent may apply for a Student Program grant to pursue independent research or to work towards a doctoral degree.

Program Options

• The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program sends American scholars, artists, faculty, and professionals abroad to lecture and/or conduct research for up to a year.
• The Fulbright Specialist Program, a short-term complement to the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program, sends U.S. faculty and professionals to serve as expert consultants on curriculum, faculty development, institutional planning and related subjects at overseas academic institutions for a period of 2 to 6 weeks.
• The Fulbright-Hays Program -- a Fulbright Program funded by a Congressional appropriation to the United States Department of Education-- awards grants to individual U.S. K-14 pre-teachers, teachers and administrators, pre-doctoral students and postdoctoral faculty, as well as to U.S. institutions and organizations. Funding supports research and training efforts overseas, which focus on non-Western foreign languages and area studies.
• The Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers fellowships for U.S. young professionals and artists to study abroad for one academic year. The Program also includes an English Teaching Assistant component.
• The Fulbright European Union Scholar-in-Residence (EUSIR) Program aims to strengthen U.S. expertise in EU Affairs. The program brings scholars and professionals from EU countries to U.S. college and university campuses for semester-long grants to give guest lectures and seminars, consult with faculty and students on research, engage in collaborative study and provide outreach to neighboring institutions and the local community.
• The Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program sends teachers abroad for a semester to pursue individual projects, conduct research, and lead master classes or seminars.
• The Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad--Bilateral Projects Program is funded by a Congressional appropriation to the United States Department of Education-- awards grants to individual U.S. K-14 pre-teachers, teachers and administrators, pre-doctoral students and postdoctoral faculty, as well as to U.S. institutions and organizations. Funding supports research and training efforts overseas, which focus on non-Western foreign languages and area studies.
• For Groups: The Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, provides support for overseas projects in training, research, and curriculum development in modern foreign languages and area studies for U.S. teachers, students, and faculty engaged in a common endeavor. Projects may include short-term seminars, curriculum development, group research or study, or advanced intensive language programs.

Requirements for Fulbright programs vary based on your chosen program and location. Access The Department of State Website to check your eligibility.

As Fulbright Canada celebrates its 30th anniversary, a new US Scholars application cycle is opening. For 2021/2022, Fulbright Canada is offering close to 50 Research opportunities at top Canadian Institutions in more than 10 different fields.

Program Eligibility

• Be U.S. citizen (Permanent residence is not sufficient).
• Hold a PhD (except for the Business Chair) or equivalent professional/terminal degree.
• Applicants who have resided abroad for five or more consecutive years in the six-year period preceding the application deadline are ineligible. A period of nine months or more during a calendar year constitutes a full year.
• Recipients of a Fulbright Scholar award are eligible to apply for another award two years after the date of completion of the previous award.

Detailed Eligibility requirements are available here.

Learn More

View the booklet with the full list of awards, view a 4-minute presentation about the opportunities available, or a 10-minute video on the different awards.