Fulbright Foreign Student Program 2027-28

Overview

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program enables graduate students, early-career professionals, and artists from over 160 countries to pursue graduate study or conduct research in the United States. Around 4,000 foreign students receive Fulbright grants each year, spanning all disciplines. The programme is administered through binational Fulbright Commissions or U.S. Embassies.

Deadlines vary by country for the 2027-28 cohort, with most national deadlines falling between May and October 2026. The date above is representative; confirm your country’s exact closing date at the Foreign Fulbright portal before applying.

Benefits

• Full tuition and university fees at a U.S. institution
• Monthly living stipend calibrated to the U.S. city of study
• Round-trip international airfare
• Health and accident insurance
• A one-time settling-in allowance
• Access to a global alumni network of over 400,000 Fulbright alumni

Duration is typically one to two years for a Master’s degree and up to five years for a PhD, depending on programme length.

Eligibility

• Citizen of a country with an active Fulbright programme (full country list at foreign.fulbrightonline.org)
• Hold a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field
• Not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident at the time of application
• English proficiency demonstrated through TOEFL iBT, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test (minimum scores vary by country)
• In good health; a medical examination is required after selection

Specific eligibility rules, required documents, and selection criteria differ by country. Citizens of countries without a Fulbright Commission apply through their nearest U.S. Embassy.

How to Apply

1. Visit the Foreign Fulbright portal at foreign.fulbrightonline.org and navigate to your home country’s page to confirm the exact national deadline.
2. Prepare: degree transcripts, three reference letters, a two-page personal statement, a two-page study or research plan, and English proficiency scores.
3. Submit online through your national Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy portal before your country-specific deadline (many countries close in June, July, or August 2026 for the 2027-28 cohort).

Finalists typically attend interviews with a national selection committee in late 2026; U.S. university placement notifications arrive in early 2027.