Overview

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, is now the largest U.S. exchange program offering opportunities for students and young professionals to undertake international graduate study, advanced research, university teaching, and teaching in elementary and secondary schools worldwide.

English Teaching Assistantship Grants (ETA)

English Teaching Assistant grantees come from a wide range of disciplines and are placed in classrooms abroad to provide assistance to the local English teachers. ETAs help teach English language while serving as cultural ambassadors for the U.S.

The age and academic level of the students varies by country, ranging from kindergarten to university level. The language skill required also varies by country. You can see which countries offer ETA grants and the relevant details on the ETA programs page.

Study/Research Grants

Applicants for study/research awards either design their own projects, typically working with advisers at foreign universities or other institutes of higher education, or enroll in one year of graduate degree study. The study/research awards are available in approximately 140 countries. Program requirements vary by country, so the first step is to familiarize yourself with the program summary for the host country. You can also see which countries offer graduate degree study, or field specific awards on the study/research award page.

Special Programs: Fulbright-Fogarty Fellowships In Public Health

The Fulbright Fogarty was established to promote the expansion of research in public health and clinical research in resource-limited settings.

The Fogarty International Center, NIH, will provide support to the research training site and may provide orientation for the fellows at the NIH. In addition, NIH will provide a pre-departure orientation for selected Fellows in Washington, DC.

To participate in the Fulbright-Fogarty Fellowships in Public Health, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen and:

• Be enrolled in graduate or medical school. Applicants who hold a doctorate are ineligible.
• Have sufficient proficiency in the host language to carry out the project required.

Eligibility:

• U.S. citizen
• Senior or recent alumnus/a
  • Applicants who will have completed a Ph.D. by the start of the grant are encouraged to apply to the Fulbright Scholar Program
• Fulfill teaching requirements (ETA only-varies by country and grant)
• Fulfill language requirements (varies by country and grant)

Application Materials:

• A completed application though the online portal
  • Current students and alumni are encouraged to list their Penn State campus as their institution rather than apply at-large
• Personal statement (one page)
• Statement of grant purpose (one page for ETA; two pages for Study/Research)
• Affiliation letter (generally required for research grants and not required for study or ETA grants but check the program summary of the host country to confirm.)
• Three recommendations
• Foreign language evaluation (if required)
• Transcripts

For detailed information on the application components, visit the Fulbright website.

Application Procedure

STEP 1: Sign up for the Penn State Application Preparation Canvas Course

This course will be published in April and will be available throughout the summer. It contains information, tips, and exercises that will guide you through the application writing process. The Canvas course for the 2026-2027 Fulbright Cycle will launch in April 2025.

STEP 2: Register for the On-Campus Process: August 1-August 9, 2024

The form to register will be available here on the URFM Fulbright website the first week of August. Registration will require that you have chosen a specific Fulbright grant and country. Following registration, you will be asked to submit availability for your on-campus feedback interview.

Registration for the On-Campus Process is now CLOSED!

STEP 3: Submit Your Application for the On-Campus Process in the Fulbright Application System

• Deadline for Study/Research Grants (all countries): August 15, 2024
• Deadline for English Teaching Assistantships (all countries): September 2, 2024

To participate in the on-campus review process, you must submit a completed application including recommendations.

Disclaimer: Applicants who fail to meet the above deadlines will not be included in the campus feedback interviews and will receive limited feedback.

STEP 4: August-September - Campus Feedback Interviews are Conducted.

The office will assemble committees of Penn State faculty and staff to interview applicants. After the interview, applicants will receive feedback on their application from their faculty/staff panel and have their materials returned to them via the Fulbright portal for further revision until the national deadline.

STEP 5: Submit all materials for the National Application Deadline - October 8, 2024

Applications must be submitted directly using the online application system.