FY 2027 Fulbright Scholar Program
🏛 Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs (DOS-ECA)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for U.S. scholars and professionals seeking to lecture and conduct research overseas, and for non-U.S. scholars conducting research or lecturing in the United States.
U.S. applicants must be citizens or permanent residents with appropriate academic or professional credentials. Visiting scholars must hold comparable qualifications from their home countries.
The program supports faculty, researchers, and academic professionals at all career stages. Activities include teaching, research collaboration, and knowledge exchange across global higher education institutions.
Specific eligibility requirements vary by program track. See the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for detailed criteria by scholar type and program component.
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Program description
The Fulbright U.S. and Visiting Scholar Programs annually provide approximately 970 awards to U.S. scholars and professionals to lecture and/or conduct research overseas and approximately 1,025 awards to visiting (non-U.S.) scholars to lecture and/or conduct research in the United States. In addition to the core U.S. and Visiting Scholar Program components, the agreement also includes, but is not limited to, the Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence Program (S-I-R); Global Scholars Program; International Education Administrator Seminars (IEA) seminars; Fulbright Outreach Lecturing Fund (OLF); research-based, cohort programs to address priority policy areas; and other special awards that align with U.S. government priorities.
Please read the Notice of Funding Opportunity and POGI for additional details.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
- Program Outline and Guidelines (POGI)
- Application form (per NOFO instructions)
- Project narrative and objectives
- Host institution letter of support
- CV or academic credentials
- Evidence of visa eligibility
Program contact
- 👤 Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs
- 📧 SoursLA@state.gov
- 📞 202-890-9795
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 19.401 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$33,442,225
-
$32,248,762
-
$30,396,767
-
$30,348,967
-
$29,093,081
-
$27,332,974
-
$27,049,835
-
$24,908,552
-
$23,358,844
-
$15,606,546
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 19.401). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $37,168,081 | |
| 2025 | $37,168,081 | |
| 2026 est. | $37,168,081 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply as a U.S. scholar?
U.S. citizens and permanent residents with academic or professional expertise. Faculty, researchers, and independent scholars at all career levels may apply.
What activities does Fulbright fund?
Lecturing, research, curriculum development, and collaborative projects at overseas institutions. The program includes core awards, in-residence programs, and special thematic initiatives.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is August 14, 2026. This is a fixed date—applications are not accepted on rolling basis.
How much funding can I receive?
Individual award amounts vary by program component and host country. Most awards cover living expenses, travel, and research costs for 3-12 months abroad.
What makes a competitive application?
Clear research or teaching objectives, institutional host agreements, evidence of impact, and demonstrated commitment to cross-cultural exchange strengthen applications.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Secure a host institution or academic contact before applying. Host country acceptance greatly increases competitiveness.
- Articulate how your project advances U.S. interests and builds bilateral relationships with the host country.
- Emphasize mutual benefit: how your work contributes to the host institution and your own professional growth.
- Allow substantial time for international partner coordination and visa processing during planning.
- Highlight relevant language skills and prior international experience or research networks.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Vague research objectives or unclear host institution partnerships reduce competitiveness. Weak connection to U.S. foreign policy priorities or lack of demonstrated host country buy-in often results in rejection. Underestimating timeline needs for international coordination and visa processing leads to project delays.
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