Fulbright Student Program
Fullbright Student Programs are separate from Fulbright Programs for faculty/staff. Appalachian State University's office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships provides guidance and support for active students and recent graduates applying for Fulbright.
About
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program expands perspectives through academic and professional advancement and cross-cultural dialogue. Fulbright creates connections in a complex and changing world. In partnership with more than 140 countries worldwide, the Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers unparalleled opportunities in all academic disciplines to passionate and accomplished graduating college seniors, graduate students, and young professionals from all backgrounds. Program participants pursue graduate study, conduct research, or teach English abroad.
During their grants, Fulbrighters will meet, work, live with and learn from the people of the host country, sharing daily experiences. The program facilitates cultural exchange through direct interaction on an individual basis in the classroom, field, home, and in routine tasks, allowing the grantee to gain an appreciation of others’ viewpoints and beliefs, the way they do things, and the way they think. Through engagement in the community, individuals will interact with their hosts on a one-to-one basis in an atmosphere of openness, academic integrity, and intellectual freedom, thereby promoting mutual understanding.
Grant lengths and dates vary by award. Please consult the specific award description for details.
The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) administers the Program under policy guidelines established by the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FFSB) in close coordination with binational commissions and foundations in 49 countries, U.S. embassies in more than 100 other countries, and cooperating agencies in the United States.
Eligibility
Applicants must be citizens or nationals of the United States of America at the time of application. Permanent residents are not eligible. Please review the Ineligibility section below in relation to the eligibility of dual citizens.
Applicants must have a conferred bachelor's degree or equivalent before the start of the grant.
In the creative and performing arts, four years of professional training and/or experience meets the basic eligibility requirement.
Applicants must meet the language requirements of the award to which they are applying and demonstrate sufficient competency to complete their project and adjust to life in the host country.
Applicants may hold a J.D. at the time of application.
Doctors of Medicine may receive grants for advanced academic study, but not for internships or residencies. Scholars with an M.D. degree who have completed their formal postgraduate training and propose attachment to a hospital or clinic for the purpose of independent or collaborative research should apply to the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program. Grants shall not authorize activity for which a license to practice medicine or nursing is required. The Fulbright Program cannot authorize proposals for medical research that involves clinical training, patient care or patient contact.
Award Benefits
Funding Level: The Fulbright U.S. Student Program grant numbers are subject to the availability of federally-appropriated funds. The U.S. Department of State reserves the right to alter, without notice, participating countries, numbers of awards, terms of agreement, and allowances.
Grant benefits for all Fulbright U.S. Student grants include:
Accident & Sickness Health Benefits
24/7 support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
Additional grant benefits for Fulbright U.S. Student grants to Post countries:
round-trip transportation to the host country
funding to cover room, board, and incidental costs, based on the cost of living in the host country
pre-departure and/or in-country orientations
Additional grant benefits for Fulbright U.S. Student grants to Commission countries:
Please review the website of the appropriate Fulbright Commission as benefits may differ significantly.
Based on award and country, some grants may also include:
book and research allowances*
mid-term enrichment activities
full or partial tuition
language study programs
*Grantees with projects that require extensive research support, in-country travel, study materials, or equipment should explore additional funding from other sources to supplement the Fulbright funding.
All English Teaching Assistants (ETAs) receive an additional grant benefit: 60-hour online TESOL Fundamentals Course
This course must be completed prior to the pre-departure orientation in the United States for participants in Post countries or the in-country arrival orientation for participants in Commission countries.
Those ETAs who already have TESOL certification or equivalent coursework are exempt from completing this online course.
Renewal or 2nd-year English Teaching Assistants (ETAs) receive an additional grant benefit: 60-hour online course and 20-hour teaching practicum
This course must be completed during the grant period.
Those ETAs who already have TESOL certification are exempt from completing this course.
Accommodation for Grantees with Disabilities
As part of the pre-departure process, the Fulbright Program has developed a protocol to work with disabled grantees, on a case-by-case basis, as requested, to provide reasonable accommodations to facilitate the success of their exchange experience.
Please review the relevant Award Description for specific details about award benefits.
Fulbright Program Advisor
Johnna Reisner, Assistant Director of Nationally Competitive Scholarships
Email: reisnerjq@appstate.edu
Visit https://ncs.appstate.edu to learn more about nationally competitive scholarships, set up an appointment, or contact the office.