The Fulbright program is the largest U.S. international exchange program offering opportunities for students, scholars, and professionals to undertake international graduate study, advanced research, and English teaching in elementary and secondary schools and universities in over 140 countries worldwide. The Fulbright program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Eligibility

All applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be U.S. citizens at the time of application.
• Have a conferred bachelor's degree or the equivalent before the start of the grant.
• Have sufficient proficiency in the written and spoken language of the host country to carry out the proposed study/research.

Types of Grants

Students can apply for only one type of grant to one country.

• Study/Research: Academic Fields — support students for an academic year of university study or independent library or field research.
• Study/Research: Creative & Performing Arts — support students for a year of study or professional training in the arts and other fields.
• English Teaching Assistantships (ETA) — allow students to teach English or American Studies in 80 foreign countries. Students are placed in schools or universities, usually outside of capital cities.
• The Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Program — provides grants to colleges and universities to fund individual doctoral students who conduct research in other countries, in modern foreign languages and area studies for periods of six to 12 months.

Selection Criteria

Each country has specific requirements and selection criteria. It is very important to demonstrate why you chose to apply to a specific country in your application materials.

Application Process

1. Visit Fulbright U.S. Student Program to confirm eligibility and review suitable opportunities. Begin the online application.
2. Send an email to cua-fellowships@cua.edu once you have identified a country or program of interest. The due date for expressing interest is the last day of finals for the spring semester.
3. Complete and submit entire application for University endorsement by September 1st. 
4. Receive endorsement from faculty through the on-campus interview process. 
5. Re-submit final application in October to Fulbright.

What to Expect

• Applicants should expect to work with the Fellowships Adviser to revise their Personal Statement and Statement of Grant Purpose several times. 
• After submitting their application online by the campus deadline, each applicant will have a campus interview. 
• Following this interview, an endorsement letter from the campus committee will be submitted with the completed application to the Fulbright Commission.
• All application materials will then be reviewed by Regional Review Committees established by the Fulbright Commission in the United States. 
• Semi-finalists will have their materials forwarded to the host country of application for the final review and selection.