Is there a Fulbright in your future?
If you want to pursue a year of post-graduate study overseas or teach English as a second language in another country, you may find opportunities in the US Student Fulbright Program.
The Fulbright program's mission is to "foster mutual understanding among nations through educational and cultural exchanges." It began as an alternative to armed conflict, and it continues to provide America's future leaders with the skills they need for the developing global environment. Most former grantees say that their experience enriched and changed their lives, including SAU grads.
Read about Robyn Kincaide '16 who taught English in South Korea.
You can apply for a one-year graduate study grant in one of over 140 countries for:
- Independent library or field research
- Study in creative and performing arts and writing
- Courses host country universities
- Positions teaching English as a foreign language in 65 countries
- Business programs in Mexico, Spain, the Netherlands, and Australia
- Journalism programs and internships in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Taiwan
- Science and public health programs in Australia, Chile, Indonesia, and the Netherlands, with a special Fulbright-Fogarty award available to Asia, Africa, and Latin America
- Study of international music culture with the MtvU award
- Special programs in the Irish language (Ireland), slow foods (Italy), dead studies (Italy), public policy (Mexico), water management (the Netherlands), and agriculture and climate change (Australia)
- Foreign language training (select languages) with the Critical Language Enhancement grant
Important Dates
- October 1 - SAU application deadline
- May 1 - New award opportunities announced
Am I eligible?
If you are a U.S. citizen, will have an undergraduate degree by the start of the award, are in good health, and have a real interest in another culture, then you are eligible to apply. There are grants for any major.
Do I need to know the language of the host country?
Some awards require that you have a reasonable knowledge of the language to study in the host country, but many do not. Some ask that you know only enough of the language to communicate with the people in the country, but some will also provide a way for you to learn the basics of the language. Many have no language requirements.
What does the grant consist of?
Most Fulbright awards are full grants which cover:
- round-trip transportation
- language/orientation courses (where appropriate)
- living expenses and maintenance
- tuition forgiveness for one academic year
- supplemental health and accident insurance
What are the steps to apply?
- After new awards are available May 1, meet with the International Federal Grants Advisor to hear more about Fulbright.
- Explore the Fulbright website to discover the requirements for available awards; application instructions and tips; multimedia information and other resources; and testimonials from previous Fulbright recipients. Note dates for informational webinars and teleconferences.
- Work with the International Federal Grants Advisor to further define your goals, interests, expectations, and contributions to the host country. Begin to search for an affiliation and consider ways to assess any necessary language skills. Consider who you might ask for references.
- When you have selected your country and program, begin an electronic application. You will go back to this application site many times while putting together your application.
- Work again with the International Federal Grants Advisor to write the application proposal, personal statement, and complete other application sections. When your application, affiliation, and references are complete, together plan a Campus Committee interview. This committee will assess your goals and knowledge of the host country and explore your suitability for living and studying abroad.
- Submit your completed application. You will hear by the end of January if you have been "recommended" and your application sent on for evaluation by the host country.
Contact
Brittany Tullis
Fulbright Advisor
518 W. Locust St.
Davenport, IA 52803
563-333-6021
TullisBrittanyN@sau.edu