A Comprehensive Guide to the Fulbright Foreign Student Program

Table of Content

Overview of Fulbright Foreign Student Program
What the FFSP Scholarship Covers
Who Can Apply?
Application Process and Deadline
Selection Criteria

The U.S. Embassy in Cameroon has officially opened applications for the Fulbright Foreign Student Program (FFSP) 2026-2027. This prestigious scholarship offers young Cameroonian professionals the opportunity to pursue graduate studies in the United States through a fully funded academic and cultural exchange program.

About the Fulbright Foreign Student Program

Established in 1946 and funded by the U.S. government, the Fulbright Program fosters mutual understanding through education and cultural exchange. It is a highly competitive, merit-based scholarship that nominates promising Cameroonian students for graduate studies at U.S. universities. Each year, about 3 to 5 Cameroonian students are selected for full funding.

Selection depends on the J. William Fulbright Scholarship Board’s approval, available funds, and successful academic placement at a U.S. institution.

What the FFSP Scholarship Covers

Successful candidates will receive a comprehensive scholarship covering:

Full tuition fees
Round-trip airfare to the U.S.
Monthly living stipend
Health insurance

The program prioritizes Master’s degree candidates over PhD applicants. The funding is provided for up to two years of degree study. Candidates accepted into programs shorter than two years will receive funding only for the designated period of completion. Additionally, non-degree research students will engage in a 9-10 month research program.

Who Can Apply?

The FFSP competition is open to individuals who meet the following criteria:

Must be a Cameroonian citizen or permanent resident with a valid Cameroonian passport.
Have completed at least four years of university education, equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree.
Have a strong command of the English language for full-time graduate study.
- Candidates with moderate English proficiency may qualify for Long-Term English (LTE) training for up to eight months.
Students with disabilities are encouraged to apply and can receive special accommodations such as screen readers, note-taking software, and mobility assistance.

Who is Ineligible?

Applicants are not eligible if they:

Have previously received a Fulbright Foreign Student Program or Humphrey Scholarship.
Are currently living or studying in the U.S..
Have resided in the U.S. for five or more consecutive years in the past six years.
Earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a U.S. institution in the last three years.
Are employees of the U.S. Embassy in Cameroon (Department of State or USAID) or their immediate family members during their employment and for one year after termination.

Supported Fields of Study

The Fulbright Program supports all academic disciplines, except for medical programs involving direct patient contact.

Application Process and Deadline

The application process is entirely online. Candidates must submit their applications by Monday, April 21, 2025 (11:59 PM Cameroon time) via the official portal. No paper or email applications will be accepted.

Application Components

A complete online application must include:

Personal Statement (Essay)
Study Objectives (Essay)
Resume/CV
University Transcripts
Diploma(s)
Three Letters of Recommendation
Writing Sample (Highly Recommended, Not Mandatory)

Selection Criteria

The selection process is based on academic and professional merit. Preference is given to candidates who:

Have a strong commitment to completing their studies and returning to Cameroon.
Clearly define their study objectives and future goals through compelling essays.
Have relevant work experience in their chosen field.
Demonstrate leadership potential through academic, extracurricular, and community involvement.
Are dedicated to promoting U.S.-Cameroon mutual understanding through educational and cultural exchange.
Exhibit academic excellence and English proficiency.

The Fulbright Program has a zero-tolerance policy for plagiarism. Applications will be reviewed using software to detect plagiarism. If plagiarism is identified in any part of the application, the candidate will be disqualified.

Candidates for LTE must be Master’s degree applicants in their current field. Applicants for PhD, MBA, Law, or non-degree programs are ineligible. LTE training starts in January or March 2026.

How to Apply

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