Fulbright U.S. Student Program

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program of the U.S. Department of State provides grants for study or research abroad for U.S. citizens who are graduate students or will have earned a bachelor’s degree prior to September of the year for which the grant is being awarded.

More than 150 countries participate in the Fulbright Program, with teaching assistantships now available in more than 70 countries. The grants generally provide funding for round-trip travel, maintenance for one academic year, health and accident coverage, and full or partial tuition.

The program is administered at Cornell by the Einaudi Center.

Although the competition is keen, this is a very attractive opportunity for students with a serious interest in advanced study or research overseas.

Competition dates

The annual application is available the first week of April and closes to Cornell applicants the first week of September each year. 

Applications must be submitted electronically by Monday, September 2, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. EST to meet the campus deadline.

Applying for a Fulbright U.S. Student Grant

Registered students must apply through Cornell. Information sessions are held once during the fall semester and twice during the spring semester. Click here to view upcoming information sessions.

Interested individuals should contact program administrator Elizabeth Edmondson at fulbright@einaudi.cornell.edu or 607-255-8933 for more information and to schedule an appointment with the Fulbright Advisor.

Students currently studying abroad should contact the Einaudi Center via email for guidance. fulbright@einaudi.cornell.edu

Alumni are encouraged to apply through the university, as long as Cornell is the last institution attended. 

Application deadline

The campus submission deadline is Monday, September 2, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. EST. 

Review process

Applications from all U.S. universities are reviewed at the national level. Recommendations are then sent to host countries, which must approve the applicants before awards are announced in the spring. 

Eligibilty

Applicants must:

  • Be U.S. citizens at the time of application. Permanent residents are not eligible.
  • Hold a bachelor's degree or the equivalent before the start of the grant. Undergraduates may apply at the beginning of their senior year.
  • Be in good health. Grantees will be required to submit a satisfactory Medical Certificate of Health from a physician.
  • Have sufficient proficiency in the written and spoken language of the host country to communicate with the people and to carry out the proposed study. This is especially important for projects in the social sciences and the humanities.

Applicants may hold a JD degree at the time of application, but not a doctorate.

MDs or medical students or the equivalent (e.g, DDS, OD) who wish to continue medical or hospital training or to obtain practical clinical experience should apply to IIE. However, MDs who have completed formal postgraduate training and propose attachment to a hospital or clinic for independent or collaborative research should apply to the Council for International Exchange of Scholars.

Please see the Fulbright web site for more information.

Grant types

 Special Fulbright program opportunities

Arts, Business, Journalism & Communication, STEM & Public Health and Graduate Degree Grants

Fulbright Handout