Fulbright Application Timeline

SUBMIT your Fulbright Campus Pre-Application by June 1.
CHOOSE your host country carefully after reading the country specifics and preferred candidate profiles online.
CREATE a project statement following Fulbright proposal guidelines.
CONSULT faculty, at least one with discipline-specific expertise and one with country specific knowledge.
Whether applying for an ETA or study/research grant, create a plan for culturally engaging with your host country.
DEVELOP a personal statement. What in your personal and academic life has led you to your proposed plan of study in your proposed country?
IDENTIFY three faculty members to serve as references. Provide them with a copy of your essays. All three should be able to address your project.
OBTAIN letters of affiliation if required for your project. Start your search now.
TEST your language proficiency. Plan to upgrade your proficiency level as much as possible before your departure.

Timeline

MARCH — APRIL — MAY

Attend campus information sessions and schedule individual meetings with ONSA advisors. Choose your host country, select project type, and determine your language proficiency.

MAY — JUNE

Contact faculty members who have expertise in your research area to discuss your project. Research country affiliations.
June 1: Submit your Fulbright Campus Pre-Application.
By the end of June, write your first draft of project proposal and personal statement. Discuss and review your drafts with ONSA advisors.

JULY

Create an online application account via the Fulbright national website. You can do this step at any time after June 1.
Continue improving your draft of project proposal and personal statement. Discuss and review your drafts with faculty and mentors in your department.
Establish your country affiliation.
Secure commitment for letters of recommendation from three faculty members. Request official transcripts.
Continue to review your drafts with ONSA advisors and the UMass Amherst Writing Center.

AUGUST

Continue to review your drafts with ONSA advisors, your recommenders, and the UMass Amherst Writing Center.
Ask three faculty members to write letters of recommendation for you. These letters are due by September 8th on the Fulbright application portal. Supply your recommenders with a copy of your project proposal, personal statement and any other relevant materials.
Obtain your affiliation letter.
Review final application procedures with ONSA advisor.

SEPTEMBER

September 8: Submit your completed Fulbright application via Fulbright's online application portal. Letters of recommendation must be submitted by September 8 as well.

JANUARY

Notification from the US Fulbright Commission as to whether your application has been selected to be forwarded to the country Fulbright Commission.

MARCH — JUNE