Fulbright-University of St Andrews Scholar (All Disciplines)
United Kingdom
Number of recipients
The Fulbright University of St Andrews Scholar Award covers a three-to-nine-month period for researching or lecturing in, or across, any subject in any department at the University of St Andrews.
Founded in 1413, St Andrews is the third oldest university in the English-speaking world. Known for its rich history as well as cutting-edge research and teaching, the University is an innovative Scottish institution with a global orientation, committed to attracting the best minds from around the world. The University blends the international character of a world-class university with the close-knit feel of a small, historic coastal town. Its vibrant community, comprising of students, staff, and academics from over 140 countries, enables St Andrews to maintain a global perspective while pursuing excellence in research, teaching, and knowledge creation for the cultural and societal benefit of all.
The University has a strong international focus, fostering long-standing, multifaceted partnerships with a range of universities, research institutes, networks, industries, and government agencies worldwide. These enduring collaborations span student exchange, collaborative programmes, joint research activities, and professional development. Each year, the University welcomes visiting academics, students, and delegations from across the globe, contributing to its vibrant community. These international collaborations reflect St Andrews' commitment to fostering innovative partnerships and advancing knowledge on a global scale.
As a research-intensive university, St Andrews brings together ambitious scholars to tackle complex global challenges. The University champions curiosity-driven research and encourages cross-disciplinary collaboration, supported by its compact size and flexible structure across nineteen Academic Schools and four Faculties (Arts, Divinity, Science, and Medicine). St Andrews' dedication to advancing knowledge is further reflected in its investment in world-class facilities, such as Eden Campus, the University’s centre of excellence for renewable technologies and innovation. According to the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), the UK's national assessment of research quality, over 88% of St Andrews' research is rated as world-leading or internationally excellent.
The Fulbright-University of St Andrews Distinguished Scholar is a generous 3 – 6-month fellowship that enables a prominent US professor in any discipline to research and lecture at the University of St Andrews. The Distinguished scholar will have access to the University’s research collections as well as institutes and centres. Much of this interdisciplinary work is fostered through these pioneering research centres and institutes, which include the St Andrews Centre for Critical Sustainabilities, the Global Research Centre for Diverse Intelligences, the Mackenzie Institute for Early Diagnosis, and the Centre for Energy Ethics.
The University of St. Andrews Scholar contributes to the intellectual life of the University through seminars, public lectures and research. This fellowship is particularly appealing if you are seeking to develop long-term research links at St. Andrews and with academics throughout the U.K. The award is open to U.S. academics from all disciplinary backgrounds.
University of St Andrews, Scotland, UK
St Andrews, a historic town on Scotland's east coast, is renowned as the birthplace of golf and home to the University of St Andrews. Nestled along the North Sea, it boasts stunning medieval architecture, including the ruins of St Andrews Cathedral and Castle, picturesque sandy beaches, and a vibrant town centre filled with quaint shops and cafes. Known for its rich history, academic prestige, and world-famous Old Course, St Andrews is a charming blend of tradition and natural beauty.
Grants are for a period of three to six months and must start between 1 September, 2026 and 30 April 2027.
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 individual academic or department head most relevant to your project.
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. An email from the host institution confirming their interest in hosting the applicant will suffice as evidence of affiliation. 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
The Fulbright Commission seeks to identify potential and established leaders of academic 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.
Short-listed applicants will be invited to interview with the US-UK Fulbright Commission through a Zoom video call in January 2026.
A stipend of £3000 per month (about $3823 as of December 2024). This funding is intended as a contribution towards travel, institutional fees, accommodation, and general maintenance costs while in the UK.
A $1500 relocation stipend will be provided.
Scholars accompanied by eligible dependents for the full duration of the programme may receive a one-time dependent allowance of $1,800 for one dependent or $2,500 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.
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 asked to deliver a public lecture or other event at a location other than their host institution.
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.
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 2026 through August 2027, but projects must begin between September 1, 2026 and April 30, 2027 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 2026-27, 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.
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.