Fulbright US Student Grants

Fulbright US Student Grants  

In partnership with more than 140 countries worldwide, the Fulbright program offers a one-year grant to pursue graduate study, conduct research, or teach English abroad. Beyond their grant work, Fulbrighters meet, work, live with and learn from the people of the host country. The program facilitates cultural exchange through direct interaction between the grantee and their host community, fostering an appreciation of others’ viewpoints and beliefs. To learn about the program overall and specific types of grants, watch these brief tutorials. For a range of info sessions and live webinars, register here.

TOC: On this page

Fulbright Application: Canvas Course

Enroll in the Yale Fulbright Canvas course to access helpful Fulbright application resources and information, as well as answers to frequently asked questions. This course exists to assist students who plan to apply to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.

Is it a good fit?

Deciding whether or not Fulbright is a good fit for you and for your project requires some reflection and research into the specific grant you are considering. You might ask yourself:

• Will a year internationally after graduation engaged in teaching, research, or study be a meaningful step toward my longer-term plans?
• Is there overlap between a) my own goals, qualifications, and interests; b) the specific requirements of the grant; and c) the experience I am hoping to have while abroad?

Please note that statistics or odds are generally a terrible way to determine whether Fulbright is a good fit. A frank conversation with Yale's Fulbright Program Adviser will be much more productive!

Application timeline & tips

Important dates and deadlines 

Note: 2025 Fulbright newsletters with advice and reminders begin to go out in June.

Point: These newsletters are different from the regular emails you get from the Office of Fellowships, and are sent by subscription only. Sign up now via Yale's subscription management service!

FAQ: Previous Fulbright Newsletters (2024-2025 Application Cycle)

1. Got Wanderlust?
2. Managing the Timeline
3. Disrupt the narrative
4. Start Writing!
5. Fitting the Pieces Together
6. Distinguishing Between Statements
7. How and when to get feedback
8. Community Engagement
9. Recommendations
10. On Balance
11. This, Not That
12. Transcripts and Tips
13. The campus deadline
14. Onward
15. What else?
16. Check your checklist
17. All done?!

Application Tips & Resources

• Think about what you want to do, learn, and accomplish in the year after you graduate.
• Consider where you want to spend that year (and why!).
• Start early! No one who wins a Fulbright has ever commented that they wished they had waited until later to start their applications. 
• Subscribe to the Yale Fulbright newsletter. Fulbright newsletters with advice and reminders begin to go out in May. NOTE: these newsletters are different from the regular emails you get from the Office of Fellowships, and are sent by subscription only. Sign up now via Yale's subscription management service!
• Be sure to explore the wealth of resources and information about the Fulbright program options and host countries, available on the Fulbright website. Some highlights include:
  • A complete list of possibilities for English Teaching Assistantships.
  • A list of study/research opportunities for specific fields, including Arts, Business, Journalism & Communication, and STEM & Public Health. 
  • A list of countries where Fulbright can support graduate degree programs. 
• Attend a live spring-term Yale Fulbright session, or watch the online presentation. While both can be useful, only the live sessions offer you a chance to ask questions (and hear what your peers are wondering about)!
  • Find the online version of our Fulbright information session here.
  • Find our calendar of upcoming events, including information sessions, here. 
• Review the campus application timeline and checklist. 
• Begin thinking about how you might approach your Personal Statement, your Statement of Grant Purpose and potential recommenders. Guidance on these aspects of your application can be found on the Fulbright website.
• If you are considering a Fulbright grant to support study in the UK, be sure to read our page about UK and Irish graduate programs.
• Come talk with us! Find out how to make an appointment with Fellowships Staff here. 

F​AQs

FAQ: I don't know whether I want to pursue a research/study grant or an ETA. How can I decide?

If you have a very specific proposal for study or research, you may wish to consider the Study/Research option, since in the ETA program you will not be able to choose where you will be placed and you will not have very much time for independent research or study. Furthermore, successful ETA's are those who value the experience of working in an educational environment first and foremost. Note that you may only apply to one country and one type of grant per cycle. 

FAQ: Should I participate in the campus process?  

If you are a rising senior (class of 2026), you are strongly encouraged to participate in the campus process. If you are a graduating senior (class of 2025) or alum, you will only participate in the campus review process pending rising senior numbers. Both groups should list Yale as their home institution when applying through the Fulbright portal regardless of participation in the campus process.  

FAQ: How do I submit draft application material for review?

You may request a review of your draft application so long as you do so before the designated deadline (see the timeline above). Once you have made substantial progress, we can review what you have uploaded to the Fulbright portal. Please follow directions in Canvas to submit documents for feedback - be sure to include short answers, as well! Requesting feedback is 100% optional.

Be sure you list your host country, field of study, and Yale University as your home institution. Please be sure to include any specific concerns or questions you may have in your email.

FAQ: Do my letters of recommendation need to be submitted by the campus deadline?

Applicants must formally request the required references in order to submit the Fulbright application. However, letters of recommendation may be uploaded by recommenders after submission. Please approach your recommenders with humility and ask that their letters be uploaded by the campus deadline.

FAQ: I heard something on campus that makes me think I am not competitive for this award. Can I still apply? 

The Fulbright website is ultimately the best source of information about this award. Please investigate there - and speak with an advisor! - before ruling yourself out. While Fulbright grants are very competitive, we can help you judge your odds and think through how the application process might be valuable regardless of the outcome.

FAQ: What else should I apply to?

If you are pursuing a Fulbright to support research, you may also want to look at the Yale College Postgraduate Fellowships as well as the Fox International Fellowship. If you are pursuing a Fulbright ETA grant, you can also explore the non-Fulbright teaching opportunities listed here. There are dozens of other non-Yale fellowships that may also be a good fit for your goals and interests, so be sure to take a look at our External Awards here.

Please note: You may not combine an external grant with an internal one (ex: the Fulbright with a Yale Postgraduate Fellowship).