Office of Connected Learning

Fulbright Program Overview

Travel Abroad through the U.S. Fulbright Program

Each year the U.S. government’s prestigious Fulbright Program funds approximately 8,000 grants for U.S. citizens to go abroad and non-U.S. citizens to come to the United States to study, teach and conduct research. Through a wide variety of grants for students, professionals, artists and scholars, the program aims to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. For more information check out this presentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of grants are offered?
The Fulbright Program offers a wide variety of competitive, merit-based grants. Most grants are for periods of several months, although the U.S. Scholar program has an increasing number of flexible, short-term opportunities.

  • U.S. Student Fulbright Program: For recent alumni – Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD – to pursue graduate study, an independent project, or teach English; 8-10 months

  • U.S. Scholar Fulbright Program: For academics and professionals at all levels to conduct research and/or teach in their discipline; 3-9 months

  • Fulbright Specialist Program: For expert consultants on curriculum, faculty development, institutional planning, etc.; 2 to 6 weeks

Where can I study with a Fulbright grant?
Fulbright grants are offered in 160+ countries. Applicants may only apply to one country per application cycle. The Participating Countries section of the Fulbright website lists grants available in each specific country and region.

What are the financial benefits of a Fulbright grant?
Grant benefits include round-trip airfare, monthly stipends and health insurance for the length of your stay abroad. Depending on the host country, additional benefits may also include: dependent support, research allowance, tuition, language lessons and enhancement activities.

Who is eligible to apply for a Fulbright grant?
Applicants from the United States must be U.S. citizens in good health who have completed at least a Bachelor’s degree before the grant period begins, demonstrate a high level of academic or professional achievement, leadership ability, and a well-designed project proposal. Foreign language proficiency may be required.

How do I apply for a Fulbright grant?
Becoming a competitive Fulbright applicant is a process that takes several months of preparation. UWB’s Global Initiatives provides support to all graduating seniors, graduate students, recent graduates, faculty and staff across disciplines who are U.S. citizens interested in a substantive international experience through the Fulbright Program. Non-U.S. citizens should contact their country’s Fulbright Commission to determine if they are eligible to apply within their home country.

All currently enrolled UW Bothell students are required to apply through the University of Washington. Recent graduates have the option to apply through the UW campus process or directly as an at-large applicant.

Application Deadlines

Most Fulbright grants applications are due during the early fall, September-October.

For example, the UW campus deadline for applicants to the U.S. Student Fulbright Program is in early September and the national deadline is in early-mid October. Grants begin the following academic year:

  • UW Campus Deadline: early September
  • Mandatory Campus Interviews: late September
  • National Deadline: mid-October
  • National Screening Committees: November/December
  • Selection by Fulbright Commissions/Embassies: January – May
  • Final Selection: February – May

Additional Resources

Top 10 Myths about the Fulbright Program
Tips for Getting Started & Choosing a Host Country

Application Deadlines

Early Sept: UW deadline for students and alumni applying for U.S. Student grants

Sept 15: National deadline for Fulbright Scholar awards

Early Oct: National deadline for students and alumni applying for U.S. Student grants

Feb 1: National deadline for some (very few) Fulbright Scholar awards, i.e. International Education Administrators Program.

Fulbright Recipients from UW Bothell

Check out the growing list of alumni, faculty and staff who have carried out exciting projects around the world with support from the Fulbright Program.

UW Bothell was named as a top producer of Fulbright Scholars for 2017-18.

Questions?

Global Initiatives
Natalia Dyba
P: 425.352.3261
E: nataliak@uw.edu