Fulbright Scholar Program

The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. The Fulbright Program is funded through an annual appropriation made by the U.S. Congress to the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations, and foundations around the world also provide direct and indirect support to the Program, which operates in over 160 countries worldwide.

Fulbrighters address critical global issues in all disciplines, while forging lasting connections, and building relationships, knowledge, and leadership in support of the long-term interests of the United States. Fulbright alumni have achieved distinction in many fields, including 57 who have been awarded the Nobel Prize, 82 who have received Pulitzer Prizes, and 37 who have served as a head of state or government.

Fulbright Scholar Awards are country specific but all require applicants to have achieved the terminal degree in their fields. The first step for potential applicant is to review the current catalogue of awards. Applications are made directly to individual programs by August 1 annually.

Administrative staff are eligible to apply for Fulbright International Education Administrators (IEA) seminars. These seminars are designed to help U.S. international education professionals and senior higher education officials create empowering connections with the societal, cultural and higher education systems of other countries. Grantees have the opportunity to learn about the host country’s education system as well as establish networks of U.S. and international colleagues over the course of an intensive two week grant duration. Grantees return with enhanced ability to serve and encourage international students and prospective study-abroad students.

For general information about the Fulbright Program, please visit the national Fulbright website or contact the ISU Fulbright Liaison, Dr. Karen Dennis (kkdenni@IllinoisState.edu or (309) 438-3891).