Fulbright U.S. Student Program

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program supports research, English teaching abroad, or graduate study in more than 140 countries worldwide. Grant lengths and dates vary by award. 

Eligibility details are outlined on the program's website. Basic eligibility requirements include: 

  • Applicants must be U.S. citizens or nationals. Permanent residents are not eligible.
  • Applicants must meet the host country language requirement.
  • Applicants must not hold a doctoral degree by the national application deadline. 

Use the Award Search page to find information about specific award opportunities in different countries. All applicants will use the same basic application, but your application contents need to be tailored to a specific award in a specific country. The "Fulbright Formula" is "Person + Place + Project." A successful application communicates that you are right person to do the project you outline, and the chosen host country is the ideal location for this proposed work. 

The Graduate School provides extensive support to current UMass graduate students preparing an application for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. must submit drafts of both application essays by August 24, 2025 to be eligible for institutional endorsement of your application. Applicants must submit a complete (though not yet finalized) application by the campus deadline of September 8, 2025. You should expect to have worked through multiple drafts with Heidi Bauer-Clapp. UMass's Fulbright Program Adviser for current graduate students, before the campus deadline. 

Get started by filling out the graduate student Fulbright Interest Form. Complete the form by June 10, 2025, to have access to the full range of application support for current graduate students, which includes workshops, a writing group, peer review, and one-on-one application feedback. 

Current UMass undergraduate students and all alumni should contact UMass's Office of National Scholarship Advisement for application assistance. 

2026 Fulbright Deadlines and Application Support for Graduate Students

The events and deadline listed below are designed to help you prepare a competitive application and stay on track to complete your application package by the August 31 campus deadline. Writing in community with others also helps keep you motivated--join us to get your Fulbright journey off to a strong start! 

Click on workshop titles below to register for each session.

Learn more about Fulbright U.S. Student Awards at our Info Session! There are two options: 

Tuesday, May 12, 3-3:45pm (online) OR Thursday, May 14, 10-10:45am (online)

Tuesday, May 19, 10am-12pm: Launch Your Application Process! (515 Goodell)*

In just two hours we'll set you up with a manageable summer work plan to get your application done by the early fall deadlines! 

Tuesday, June 2: Statement of Grant Purpose

The Statement of Grant Purpose is a critical component of the application—this session will help you craft a compelling and competitive essay! There are separate sessions for ETA and Study/Research applicants—after the Study/Research session ends at 12pm, stick around to work on your essay! We’ll have quiet space (in Goodell 515) for you to write, and we’ll fuel your efforts with a pizza lunch. 

DEADLINE! Sunday, June 21: Draft of Statement of Grant Purpose 

Tuesday, June 23, 10-11:30am: Application Short Essays (515 Goodell)*

The application short essays are your chance to show reviewers why you are the right person, working in the right place, to carry out your chosen project. This session will help you craft short essays that convey your skills and strengths while complementing your Statement of Grant Purpose.

DEADLINE! Sunday, July 19: Draft of Application Short Essays  

DEADLINE! Sunday, August :9 Drafts of BOTH Statement of Grant Purpose and Application Short Essays 

Week of August 10: Optional peer review to receive additional feedback on your Statement of Grant Purpose and Application Short Essays

DEADLINE! August 31, 2026: Campus Deadline for graduate student applicants (submit your complete, but not yet finalized, application marked “Ready for Campus Review” in the Fulbright application portal)

*If you are not able to attend this event in person contact Heidi (hbauerclapp [at] umass [dot] edu (hbauerclapp[at]umass[dot]edu)) at least 24 hours in advance to receive a zoom link.