U.S. Scholar Additional Eligibility Factors

Non-U.S. Scholars

Each year roughly 850 faculty and professionals from around the world receive Fulbright Scholar awards for advanced research and university lecturing in the United States. Individual awards are available to scholars from over 100 countries.

Non-U.S. Scholars

U.S. Institutions

U.S. Higher Education institutions are instrumental to the success of the Fulbright mission. They are key allies in advancing the goal of sharing knowledge across communities, promoting mutual understanding across nations and improving lives around the world.

U.S. Institutions

Fulbright U.S Scholar applicants must meet all eligibility requirements at the time of application unless specific exceptions apply.

Dual citizenship: In some cases, a dual national may not be eligible to participate in a Fulbright program in the country of their other nationality due to host country law or policy. While individual award descriptions specify whether this is a point of ineligibility, it is incumbent upon all applicants to ascertain whether they have, or are eligible to have, their host country’s nationality and to address any potential consequences thereof before they accept an award.
Prior Fulbright Grants: For serial or Flex grants, the two-year period begins at the end of the final grant in the series.) Fulbright Scholar grants include: Fulbright U.S. Scholar, International Education Administrator Seminar, Fulbright Arctic, and Fulbright Visiting Scholar.
Education and Experience: Applicants are expected to demonstrate they meet the qualifications stated in the award; in some cases, this may include briefly addressing the nature of their terminal degree in the application.
Education: Professional/terminal degree refers to the highest degree awarded in a field. The degree level can vary by academic and professional field, as not all terminal degrees are doctorates. (Please refer to this list of common terminal degrees.)
Education: Applicants may be enrolled in a degree program at the time of application so long as they can demonstrate that the above requirements are met.
Grant Activity: Grants shall not authorize engagement in pastoral, missionary, or other professional religious activities.
Grant Activity: Grants shall not authorize engagement in activities for which a license to practice medicine or nursing is required.
Language requirements: Foreign language proficiency may be required depending on the country, type of grant activity (teaching or research), and the nature of the proposed projects. (Note: In many world areas, English is sufficient for teaching activities.)
Sound physical and mental health: selected candidates are required to submit a Medical History and Examination Report before their grants can be finalized. (This process takes place after candidates selected for grants are notified of their selection.)
Applicants are required to disclose if they have been arrested for, indicted for, or charged with a felony or a misdemeanor (excluding minor traffic violations, juvenile convictions, or cases where the record has been sealed or expunged) or accused of misconduct (including but not limited to unethical practices, harassment, sexual harassment or abuse, or other misconduct that may have been the focus of some kind of inquiry or process). Applicants must promptly notify IIE in writing if they are arrested for, indicted for, charged with or convicted of a felony or misdemeanor (excluding minor traffic violations) after submitting the application․ FFSB regulations can be found here (Chapter 600/Section 626 Ineligibility Factors.)

If you meet the eligibility requirements, learn more about the next stages in the application procedure.