Fulbright U.S. Student Program

As of January 28, 2023, CCRF is no longer accepting Fulbright Pre-Application materials

Students in the College and College alumni who are interested in applying for the 2024-2025 Fulbright award, but who are not part of the 2023 Fulbright Cohort, may choose to apply on their own. Information about the application can be found on the Fulbright website. However, CCRF staff are not able to provide Fulbright draft review, application support, advising, campus interviews, or campus endorsement for Fulbright applicants who apply outside the campus process.

(2020, 2021, and 2022 Fulbright Cohort members should refer to the FAQ about signing up for the 2023 Fulbright Cohort for additional information.)

Fulbright Program: At a Glance

• U.S. citizens and nationals
• Fourth-year students (application process starts in third year) and recent alumni

• Research Awards and Creative/Performing Arts Research Awards
• Study Awards and Creative/Performing Arts Study Awards
• English Teaching Assistantship (ETA) Awards

Extensive Description

Fulbright is considered the flagship program of the U.S. State Department with a diplomatic mission of cultural exchange through research, teaching, and postgraduate study. It is among the oldest and most prestigious of the major national fellowships available to college students, recent graduates, and alumni.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is also the largest and most competitive exchange program for U.S. citizens and sponsors 9- to 11-month experiences abroad including teaching, research, and study. It also funds international post-graduate students to study for advanced degrees in the United States. Grants may cover tuition, fees, travel, and a stipend. Applicants in all fields are welcome. Fulbright awards approximately 2,100 grants to U.S. students annually and operates in more than 140 countries worldwide.

The Fulbright Student Program is proud of its tradition of excellence, and its alumni have achieved distinction in government, science, the arts, business, philanthropy, and athletics (400,000+ alumni since 1946):

• 40 Fulbright alumni have served as heads of state or government
• 62 Fulbright alumni have been awarded the Nobel Prize
• 78 Fulbright alumni are MacArthur Foundation Fellows
• 89 Fulbright alumni have received Pulitzer Prizes

The Fulbright Student Program IS NOT:

• A "gap" year experience (before medical school, law school, etc.). Note: nothing after college should be referred to simply as a "gap" year, most especially a national fellowship of this caliber;
• Study abroad (you are responsible for creating your Fulbright experience);
• A way to become politically active in another country;
• Something to do if you don't know what else to do post-graduation; this is a serious, nationally prestigious fellowship that must fit into your post-graduate and vocational plans; 
• For students who have no connection or bona fide interest in the host country and just want to travel after college. Competitive candidates must demonstrate language proficiency, provide evidence of previous study or research in/on/about the host country or topics relevant to the host country, as well as a sound case for being in the host country;
• For students who do not speak the language of the chosen host country;
• For students who show no meaningful awareness of their proposed host country's history, culture, and language, or who lack evidence of cultural competency.

Eligibility Requirements

• Candidates must have completed a bachelor's degree by the start of the grant period; therefore, applications for Fulbright grants may only be submitted by fourth-year students (who will graduate before the start of the grant period) or recent graduates. Third-year students, fourth-year students, and recent College alumni begin the application process for the 2024-2025 award year in January 2023.
• Applicants must be citizens or nationals of the United States of America at the time of application (October 2023)
• Please consult the Eligibility page on the Fulbright website for more information.

Application Process

The 2023 UChicago Fulbright Campus Process:

• Provides opportunities for students to reflect on how their interests, experiences, and future goals connect with Fulbright’s mission;
• Helps students articulate their best case for a Fulbright fellowship in their application materials;
• Simplifies the application process by providing a structured timeline, clear applicant requirements and deadlines, and defined expectations about staff support;
• Facilitates substantive advising, draft review, and writing support for members of the 2023 Fulbright Cohort; and
• Creates a community of scholars, who encourage each other and provide thoughtful feedback.

Please see the 2023 UChicago Fulbright Campus Process page for details, eligibility, and an overview timeline.  The Fulbright FAQs page provides additional important information, as well.

Students with disabilities who have been approved for the use of academic accommodations by Student Disability Services (SDS) and need reasonable accommodations to participate fully in the 2023 UChicago Fulbright Campus Process should follow the procedures established by SDS for using accommodations. Timely notifications are required in order to ensure that your accommodations can be implemented. Please contact Johanna Best (bestjl@uchicago.edu) to discuss your access needs for this Campus Process after you have completed the SDS procedures for requesting accommodations.