Fulbright Open Study/Research

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Please refer to the Nationally Competitive Scholarships homepage for the most up-to-date information. For all scholarships, contact Mychal Machado at mmachado2@alaska.edu if you have questions, to make an appointment, or to request information.

Important Dates

Visit  for details.

Online application availability: Spring

Application Deadlines:
Campus deadline: Early September
National deadline: Early October

Notification of qualifying candidates: End of January

Notification of winning candidates: Beginning of May

Scholarship Overview

Uniting the world, one student at a time.

The Fulbright US Student Open Study/Research Program offers opportunities in over 140 countries to recent graduates and graduate students. Applicants design their own projects and typically work with advisors at foreign universities or other institutions of higher education. Grants fund project and living expenses for an 8-12 month period.

During their grants, Fulbrighters will meet, work, live with, and learn from the people of the host country, sharing daily experiences. The program facilitates cultural exchange through direct interaction on an individual basis in the classroom, field, home, and in routine tasks, allowing the grantee to gain an appreciation of others' viewpoints and beliefs. Through engagement in the community, the individual will interact with their hosts in an atmosphere openness, academic integrity, and intellectual freedom. 

 

Information for Applicants

  • Eligibility

    Applicants must be:

    • Graduates with bachelors degrees or equivalent (can apply as a senior), or graduate students
    • US citizens

     

    Who cannot apply:

    • International students and permanent residents
    • All employees of the Department of State, the US Agency for International Development, and related private and public agencies; spouses and dependent are also disqualified
    • Students with doctoral degrees
    • Anyone who has resided abroad for 5+ consecutive years in the six-year period preceding the application deadline

     

    For more information about eligibility requirements, visit . 

  • Additional Requirements

    Applicants must meet the language requirements of the award to which they are applying. Language requirements depend on the host country you choose.

    An institutional endorsement is required to apply for this award. 

    You may only apply to one country.

    Applicants enrolled at UAA should submit their application through UAA. Non-enrolled applicants may submit applications "at-large." 

    Seek advising early in the application process. Schedule an advising appointment with the Fulbright Program Advisor, TBD to discuss intent to apply.

    Interview requirements:
    Campus interview: Yes
    National interview: No

  • Award Benefits
    • Round-trip transportation to and from the host country
    • Funding to cover room, board, and incidental costs based on the cost of living in the host country
    • Accident and sickness health benefits

     

    In some countries, benefits may also include:

    • Book and research allowances
    • Mid-term enrichment activities
    • Full or partial tuition payment
    • Language study programs
    • Pre-departure and/or in-country orientations

     

    Award cannot be deferred or renewed.

  • Candidate Profile
    • Quality and feasibility of the proposal as described in the Statement of Grant Purpose the Personal Statement
    • Ability of the supervising agencies abroad to arrange/confirm supervision and facilitate research clearance, if necessary
    • Excellent academic and/or professional record
    • Good personal qualifications
    • Sufficient language preparation for the award you applied for
    • Candidate and project will help to advance the Fulbright aim of promoting mutual understanding among nations
    • Meet all requirements of the program in the individual country of choice
  • Application Procedure
     
    1. Since program requirements vary by country, applicants should familiarize themselves with the host country's requirements by visiting .
    2. Find a faculty member willing to serve as your mentor throughout the application process.
    3. Schedule an advising appointment with the Fulbright Program Advisor, TBD, the semester before you plan to apply for the award.
    4. Register at  and start completing the application.
    5. Start developing your Personal Statement and your Statement of Grant Purpose according to the Fulbright guidelines.
    6. Start securing your affiliation letter, specific instructions for which can be found at .
    7. If your research proposal involves working with human subjects , then internal IRB approval is required.
    8. Three letters of recommendation are required. Select instructors who can comment on your research skills, talents, and academic and/or professional plans in detail. At least one recommender should be able to comment on your previous undergraduate research experiences in detail and be able to speak to the academic merit of your Statement of Grant Purpose proposal.
    9. Submit a complete application online, including all letters of recommendation, by the campus deadline.
    10. Prepare for the individual campus interview, which will take place 1-2 weeks after the campus deadline. The Fulbright Campus Interview Committee will submit an official institutional endorsement of your application at the end of your campus interview.
    11. A Fulbright National Screening Committee will conduct a preliminary elimination based on your credentials in December and determine if your application will be forwarded to the embassy of the country to which you are applying for final review.
    12. You will be notified of the status of your application in January.
    13. Candidates whose application is forwarded to the appropriate embassy for further review will be notified of the final decision in March - May.

     

    About 19% of applicants receive awards.