2026-2027 Fulbright U.S. Scholar Competition | Prestigious Global Opportunities

The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Competition: Opportunities for Educators, Researchers, and Professionals

The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program offers a prestigious opportunity for U.S. citizens to engage in teaching, research, and professional projects in over 135 countries. With more than 400 awards available, the program is open to faculty members, professionals, and artists from diverse fields who seek to expand their expertise, collaborate internationally, and promote cross-cultural understanding. Since its inception, the Fulbright program has facilitated global exchanges, fostering academic and professional growth among more than 400,000 scholars.

Types of Fulbright U.S. Scholar Awards

1. Fulbright Scholar Awards

These awards constitute the majority of available Fulbright opportunities, welcoming professionals, academics, and artists at various career levels. Each award has specific eligibility criteria, including career stage and area of expertise.

Scholar Award – Open to scholars in various disciplines to conduct research or teach abroad.
Global Scholar Award – Allows scholars to engage in projects across multiple countries.
Arctic Initiative – Focuses on research related to the Arctic region.
Amazonia – Supports research in the Amazon region on environmental and sustainability issues.

2. Fulbright Distinguished Scholar Awards

Regarded as one of the most prestigious appointments, these awards are designed for scholars with more than seven years of experience in their respective fields. Recipients actively engage with host institutions, fostering knowledge exchange and international collaboration.

3. Fulbright Postdoctoral Awards

Designed for recently graduated scholars, these awards provide an opportunity to conduct research and receive professional training abroad. Candidates must have obtained their doctoral degree (Ph.D., J.D., M.D., Ed.D., etc.) within five to seven years before the start date of the fellowship. Some awards may involve limited teaching responsibilities.

4. Fulbright International Education Administrator Awards

This award offers senior higher education administrators and international education professionals a two-week immersive seminar to explore the host country’s education system, build professional networks, and establish global partnerships.

Duration and Flexibility of Awards

Fulbright opportunities vary in length, ranging from a few months to an entire year. Many awards include a Flex option, allowing recipients to complete their grant in multiple short-term visits rather than one continuous stay. This is particularly useful for scholars requiring periodic access to their home institution.

Eligibility by Career Profile

Mid-Career and Senior Academics (Distinguished Scholars) – Scholars with seven or more years of experience are encouraged to apply for Distinguished Scholar Awards or other Fulbright Scholar opportunities that align with their expertise.
Postdoctoral Scholars – Early-career academics who have obtained their doctoral degrees within five to seven years of the award start date can apply for Postdoctoral Awards, which support advanced research and professional development.
Professionals and Artists – Individuals with over seven years of experience in their field, including non-academic professionals and artists, are eligible for awards tailored to their expertise.
Community College Educators and Administrators – Faculty and administrators from community colleges can apply for a range of awards, including those specifically welcoming applications from community college professionals.
Higher Education Administrators and Executives – Administrators focusing on international education can apply for Fulbright International Education Administrator Awards, which provide fully funded seminars abroad.
Independent Scholars – Applicants without a U.S. institutional affiliation are eligible for many awards, provided they meet the necessary academic and professional qualifications.
Retired and Emeriti Faculty – The Fulbright program welcomes applications from retired faculty members, providing them with an opportunity to apply their expertise in a global context.

Application Deadline

The application deadline for the 2026-2027 Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program is September 15, 2025, at 5:00 PM EDT (UTC -4:00).

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to Scholarship at Uniplus Global to apply