Fulbright-University of Birmingham Distinguished Scholar Award (All Disciplines)
United Kingdom
Number of recipients
In addition to being a prestigious academic exchange program, the Fulbright Program is designed to expand and strengthen relationships between the people of the United States and citizens of other nations and to promote international understanding and cooperation. To support this mission, Fulbright Scholars may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host community, in addition to their primary activities.
The Fulbright University of Birmingham Distinguished Chair is a generous six-month secondment that enables a prominent US professor in any discipline to be based at the University of Birmingham, with access to all the University’s research collections, and provides an opportunity to undertake research and build links in the UK.
The Distinguished Chair contributes to the intellectual life of the University through seminars, public lectures and curriculum development. The Distinguished Chair is particularly appealing if you are seeking to develop long-term research links with Birmingham academics. The award is open to U.S. academics from a broad range of disciplinary backgrounds with the capacity to steer and contribute to research and teaching activities.
Chairs will be made honorary fellows of the University’s Institute of Advanced Studies (IAS) and are invited to contribute to IAS’ aim to promote cross-disciplinary research by bringing together expertise from across the University to address major cross-cutting themes that are important, relevant and timely.
Focusing on quality education and research, our strong standing in global rankings is based on our graduate prospects, student experience, as well as our publications. Our ambition means we always strive to do more. By appointing and developing outstanding academic colleagues in every area. By investing in large new research programmes. By building major national and international research partnerships.
The University offers a unique experience within a truly international community. The UK’s second city, Birmingham is a vibrant and inspiring place to live, with a rich culture and diverse community. With historic buildings, modern facilities and green surroundings, our Edgbaston campus is a place to be inspired.
The University of Birmingham has a long tradition of forging purposeful, innovative and collaborative research connections, particularly with the United States. Extensive transatlantic faculty-to-faculty links with the US reflects our ambition to work collaboratively in pursuit of innovative, grounded and enduring solutions to some of the world’s biggest issues.
To learn more about Fulbright alumni at University of Birmingham, take a look at our website here: Meet our Fulbrighters | Fulbright
University of Birmingham: Birmingham, England, UK
In the heart of the United Kingdom, the University of Birmingham is ranked among the world’s top 100 institutions. For more than a century, research from the University has had an impact on the city, region and the world, with 11 Nobel Prize winners among many eminent alumni.
Grants may begin any time after September 1, 2025, but before April 30, 2026.
Applications are sought in all appropriate specializations.
Scholars in the UK participate in a wide range of academic, cultural, and social events and benefit from a variety of additional opportunities provided by the Commission; see Special Award Benefits section for more details.
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
To request a letter of invitation for this award please contact the academic or department head most relevant to your project. Should you require assistance, please contact Mary Elliston , email: m.e.elliston@bham.ac.uk
While it is not a requirement to have an affiliation letter for this award it is strongly recommended that applicants get in touch with their proposed host department and applications that include an affiliation letter will be much more competitive. If an applicant is struggling to make contact with their host institution they can contact the US-UK Fulbright Commission directly on fulbrightprogrammes@fulbright.org.uk
All teaching and research will be in English; additional language proficiency not required.
The Fulbright Commission seeks to identify potential and established leaders of academic, artistic, or professional excellence who will make significant contributions toward the discussion and development of key issues in their field of study.
Candidates who have not recently spent a considerable time in the UK are preferred.
You may be asked to participate in an interview as part of the in-country selection process.
- Single grant of £27,500 (about $34,800 as of December 2023).
- £1000 (around $1250 as of December 2023) return airfare contribution
- Monthly housing allowance of £750 (around $950 as of December 2023)
All grants are intended as a contribution toward travel and general expenses incurred during the grant period.
A relocation allowance of $1500 is provided.
Scholars accompanied by eligible dependents for the full duration of the programme may receive a one-time dependent allowance of $1800 for one dependent or $2500 for two or more dependents. This will be calculated on a pro-rata basis for any Scholars on a grant for less than 6 months.
Dependents must accompany the grantee for at least 80% of the period abroad and a minimum of one semester in order to qualify for additional dependent benefits. Dependent benefits are not provided to Flex grantees.
Scholars are provided with a small travel allowance and accommodation to attend certain Fulbright Commission enrichment events. Scholars in the UK will have the opportunity to participate in a range of events, and benefit from a variety of additional opportunities provided by the Commission.
All Fulbright Scholar grantees must obtain a UK Temporary Worker – Government Authorised Exchange visa to participate in the Fulbright program in the UK. The Commission sponsors the Scholar’s visa.
Scholars receive free institutional memberships with The National Trust/Royal Oak Foundation. Scholars are also offered a free Elsevier scholar support package, which includes access to the entire suite of SciVerse products and a wide range of online journals (including The Lancet).
Scholars are asked to deliver a public lecture or other event at a location other than their host institution. They may also be offered the opportunity to deliver a Lecture at Gresham College and Benjamin Franklin House in London during their grant period in the UK.
Fulbright Scholars will have membership of the UK Fulbright Alumni Network and access to Fulbrighter, a networking platform which enables grantees to connect, network, engage and collaborate with Fulbright alumni and grantees around the world
Depending on the timing of the visit, scholars may also be able to attend the annual Fulbright EU-NATO Seminar held in Belgium and Luxembourg (in February) and the annual Fulbright Seminar in Berlin (in March).
During their grant period, Fulbright Scholars in Europe have the opportunity to apply for a travel grant to support short-term (up to one week) travel to other countries in the EUR region for activities such as lectures, workshops, graduate or faculty seminars, master classes or recitals, curricular advising or panel presentations. Though scholars may pursue invitations for short-term activities in other European countries once notified that they have been selected for a Fulbright grant, Scholars may only apply for the European inter-country travel grant funds when in the UK and during their Fulbright grant period.
Final grant amounts will be determined prior to the start of the academic year and are subject to the availability of funds. The United States Department of State and the Fulbright Commission in the host country reserve the right to alter, without notice, participating countries, number of awards and allowances.
United Kingdom
Step into the world of Fulbright in the United Kingdom—a vibrant exchange opportunity that has weaved strong bonds between the UK and the US since 1948. From the buzzing energy of large metropolitan cities to the charm of quaint towns, daily life as a Fulbright Scholar to the United Kingdom offers a kaleidoscope of experiences. Our awards unfold across the UK's diverse landscapes throughout England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
Navigating the country is made easy with efficient public transportation networks, allowing scholars to explore cities, countryside, and coastlines. Throughout the year, scholars engage in cultural events and festivals, immersing themselves in the arts, music, and local traditions. To name a few opportunities, previous Fulbrighters have participated in Highland games, organised writing workshops in picturesque locations, and visited National Trust properties across the UK.
With over 160 universities, the UK is home to innovative and globally significant research and teaching projects spanning all disciplines and sectors. Fulbright awards are offered across all 4 nations and the British Virgin Islands, with a range of all disciplines awards and subject-specific awards.
The grant year for U.S. Scholars in the UK is from September 2025 through August 2026, but projects must begin between September 1, 2025 and April 30, 2026 unless otherwise specified. Fulbright Scholar grants to the UK include a relocation allowance and dependent allowances, please see the individual award pages for more information.
Applicants will be evaluated not only for their scholarly, artistic or professional excellence but also for their potential to facilitate mutual understanding and knowledge exchange between the United States and the United Kingdom.
Preference will be given to applicants who have not already spent a significant amount of time in the United Kingdom. Applicants with permanent residency in the United Kingdom are not eligible for Fulbright U.S. Scholar awards to this country.
Candidates interested in applying for an award in the United Kingdom are advised to visit the US-UK Fulbright Commission's website for more information on the Scholar awards offered by the Commission and to hear from our alumni community.
They may also wish to consult Universities UK, Universities Scotland, Universities Wales, and UK Research and Innovation for more information about higher education in the UK.
Applicants may contact the US-UK Fulbright Commission with any queries by emailing fulbrightprogrammes@fulbright.org.uk
To learn more about Fulbright U.S. Scholar awards in the United Kingdom for 2024-25, please view our archived webinar and slides to hear directly from the Fulbright Commission, IIE staff and U.S. Scholar alums regarding award details, the scholar experience, and application guidance.
By fostering international perspectives, cultivating cross-cultural understanding, and establishing robust networks, Fulbright alumni return to their home countries equipped with a diverse set of skills and insights. Notably, Fulbright Scholars exhibit a heightened scholarly and policy impact in the four years following the exchange compared to the four years preceding it.
Previous Fulbrighters to the UK have described their experiences as transformational, allowing them to expand their research horizons, develop new connections and collaborations, and inspire new ideas and ways of thinking.
Explore firsthand accounts from US Scholars like Jay Garvey, who discovered opportunities to share his work among scholarly communities beyond his sub-discipline, and Marcy Karin, who found a myriad of connections between her research and the daily lives of people across the Atlantic.
Hear about Fulbright experiences from our alumni here: Meet our Fulbright Alumni - YouTube
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.
Candidates should have strong reasons for wishing to pursue the proposed project in the UK and a clear idea of what they wish to accomplish during their time as a Fulbright Scholar, not only academically, but also in terms of reaching out to the wider community and understanding their host country and culture.
Short-listed applicants will be invited to interview with the US-UK Fulbright Commission through a Zoom video call in January 2025.