Applications open for Fulbright Scholar Program (US)

Deadline: 14-Aug-2026

The Fulbright Scholar Program is accepting applications to support international academic exchange, research collaboration, lecturing opportunities, and educational partnerships between the United States and institutions around the world. The program promotes mutual understanding through scholar mobility, collaborative research, institutional partnerships, and professional exchange activities.

With a total award of $8.65 million, the program supports a range of scholar initiatives that enable U.S. and international academics, researchers, and education professionals to engage in teaching, research, policy-focused projects, and international collaboration.

About the Program

• The Fulbright Scholar Program supports international academic and cultural exchange.
• The program promotes research, lecturing, and educational collaboration.
• Funding supports scholar mobility between the United States and other countries.
• The initiative strengthens relationships between academic institutions worldwide.
• Programs are designed to advance knowledge sharing and cross-cultural understanding.
• The program supports activities aligned with academic, regional, and policy priorities.
• Special initiatives encourage long-term institutional and professional partnerships.

Program Objectives

• Support international academic exchange.
• Promote collaborative research initiatives.
• Strengthen global educational partnerships.
• Advance post-doctoral research opportunities.
• Expand international teaching and lecturing activities.
• Build institutional capacity through academic collaboration.
• Support research aligned with policy-priority areas.
• Foster mutual understanding between nations through education and scholarship.

Program Components

U.S. Scholar Program

• Supports U.S. scholars traveling abroad.
• Enables participants to lecture at international institutions.
• Supports post-doctoral research activities.
• Encourages academic collaboration with overseas partners.
• Strengthens global scholarly networks.

Visiting Scholar Program

• Supports non-U.S. scholars conducting research in the United States.
• Provides opportunities for lecturing and academic exchange.
• Facilitates institutional affiliations with U.S. host organizations.
• Promotes international collaboration in priority academic disciplines.

Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence Program

• Brings international scholars to U.S. institutions.
• Expands global perspectives within host campuses.
• Strengthens international academic engagement.

Fulbright Global Scholars Program

• Supports scholars undertaking research and collaboration across multiple countries.
• Encourages international and interdisciplinary partnerships.
• Promotes global knowledge exchange.

International Education Administrator Seminars

• Provides opportunities for education administrators to engage with international higher education systems.
• Strengthens institutional partnerships and internationalization efforts.

Fulbright Outreach Lecturing Fund

• Expands scholar engagement beyond host institutions.
• Supports lectures and outreach activities at additional academic and community venues.

Special Awards and Cohort Programs

• Support research addressing priority policy areas.
• Encourage collaborative and multidisciplinary projects.
• Strengthen long-term international academic partnerships.
• Respond to emerging regional and global priorities.

Eligible Activities

Funding may support:

• Academic research.
• Post-doctoral research.
• University lecturing.
• International educational exchange.
• Collaborative research projects.
• Institutional partnership development.
• Capacity-building initiatives.
• Policy-priority research programs.
• Academic outreach and public engagement activities.
• International education administration programs.

Funding Information

• Award amount: $8,650,000.
• Award ceiling: $8,650,000.
• Award floor: $8,650,000.
• Supports administration and implementation of Fulbright Scholar activities and related initiatives.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• U.S. not-for-profit organizations.
• Think tanks.
• Civil society organizations.
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
• Public educational institutions.
• Private educational institutions.
• Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education.
• Private institutions of higher education.
• Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be based in the United States.
• Possess a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).
• Maintain an active SAM.gov registration.
• Demonstrate at least four years of experience managing international exchange programs.
• Have the organizational capacity to administer large-scale international programs.
• Submit only one proposal under this funding opportunity.

Key Responsibilities of the Recipient Organization

The selected recipient organization will be responsible for:

• Outreach and participant recruitment.
• Application management.
• Screening and selection processes.
• Institutional placement and affiliation arrangements.
• Participant support services.
• Pre-departure orientation activities.
• Program administration and coordination.
• Scholar enrichment activities.
• Reporting and program monitoring.
• Management of outreach and lecturing activities.

Expected Outcomes

The program aims to achieve:

• Increased international academic collaboration.
• Expanded global research partnerships.
• Stronger institutional relationships.
• Enhanced scholar mobility.
• Greater cross-cultural understanding.
• Increased knowledge exchange across disciplines.
• Improved international education cooperation.
• Long-term professional and academic networks.

Why This Program Matters

• International academic exchange strengthens global cooperation and understanding.
• Research collaboration helps address shared global challenges.
• Scholar mobility promotes innovation and knowledge transfer.
• Educational partnerships create lasting institutional connections.
• International engagement enhances teaching, research, and professional development.
• Cross-border collaboration contributes to stronger academic and diplomatic relationships.

Application Tips

• Demonstrate extensive experience managing international exchange programs.
• Highlight organizational capacity for large-scale program administration.
• Showcase successful international partnerships and collaborations.
• Present strong outreach and participant support strategies.
• Explain systems for recruitment, screening, and placement management.
• Demonstrate financial and administrative capability.
• Align proposed activities with Fulbright program goals and priorities.
• Ensure all SAM.gov and UEI requirements are completed before submission.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Fulbright Scholar Program?

• The program supports international academic exchange through research, lecturing, educational collaboration, and institutional partnerships between the United States and other countries.

What is the total award amount available?

• The award amount is $8,650,000.

Who can apply for this opportunity?

• Eligible applicants include U.S.-based nonprofit organizations, NGOs, think tanks, and public or private educational institutions.

What types of activities are supported?

• Supported activities include academic research, post-doctoral research, lecturing, scholar exchanges, educational administration programs, and collaborative research initiatives.

Is prior experience required?

• Yes. Applicants must demonstrate at least four years of experience conducting international exchange programs.

What registration requirements must applicants meet?

• Applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and maintain an active SAM.gov registration.

How many applications can an organization submit?

• Each eligible organization may submit only one proposal under this funding opportunity.

Conclusion

The Fulbright Scholar Program remains one of the world’s leading international academic exchange initiatives, fostering research collaboration, educational partnerships, and scholar mobility across borders. Through substantial funding and a wide range of scholar programs, the initiative strengthens global academic networks, advances knowledge exchange, and promotes mutual understanding between the United States and the international community.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.