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Fulbright Scholarship Competition

Sample essays.

Previous University of Rochester Fulbright applicants have graciously permitted their Fulbright essays to be posted to the fellowships website for the benefit of other applicants. Reading successful applicants’ essays will provide you with examples of how they have handled the task of presenting themselves as individuals and discussing their accomplishments and aspirations in interesting ways.

Please be respectful of the authors’ ownership of their work:

• Sample 2: Research Proposal and Personal Essay
• Sample 3: Study and Research and Personal Essay

Fulbright Scholar Program (Dr. Ramón Galinanes)

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• Tips for Writing a Fulbright Personal Statement / from the Fulbright Program, University of Utah
• Tips for Writing a Fulbright Research Grant Proposal / from the Fulbright Program, University of Utah
• Sample Successful Fulbright Essays: For Teaching Assistantship Proposals, for Research Proposals, and for Study & Research Proposals / from the Student Fellowship Office, University of Rochester
• Writing Fulbright Essays: The Personal Statement & the Statement of Grant Purpose / from Yale University
• Writing for the Fulbright Scholarship [with samples essays] / from Penn State University
• Fulbright Personal Statements: Tips & Guidelines / from the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan
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Fulbright Essays: Personal Statement and Study/Research Objective

by Umair Khan | Mar 22, 2019 | Fulbright Scholarship | 0 comments

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Personal Statement vs Study/ Research Objective- Fulbright Scholarship

Article Index

Zariya Mushtaq, Fulbright Scholar, and Harvard law school graduate, explains the difference between Study Objectives and Personal Statement in the video below:

Personal Statement and Study objectives Fulbright Scholar and Harvard Law School student Zariya Mushtaq shares invaluable tips regarding personal statement and study objectives. Posted by Quva on Sunday, February 24, 2019

Fulbright scholarship program requires you to write two essays as part of your online application, namely the personal statement and the study objectives. In this article, we’ll discuss in detail how to effectively write each of these two essays. Before we do that, it is very important to understand the mission of the Fulbright program and what it expects of successful applicants. That will help you define the tone of essays and overall application, and also the mindset with which you apply for the scholarship.

The mission of the Fulbright program is to help people with strong academic histories to study in the United States as ambassadors for their country. More importantly, they expect their candidates to be passionate about serving their country. Successful applicants in the past have returned to their countries and assumed leadership positions in their fields, and the same is expected of future applicants. Frame your Fulbright objectives with these considerations in mind.

Personal Statement for Fulbright Scholarship Pakistan

Most of what you need to know regarding the Fulbright personal statement has already been covered in my article regarding a general personal statement . (Please read the complete article on Personal statement before reading this article). In addition to the guidelines provided in the previous article , there are some important details relevant to Fulbright’s Personal Statement that we recommend you cover.

How to Write Personal Statement for Fulbright Scholarship Pakistan?

The Fulbright Scholarship states on their website

In addition to academic work, persons selected for Fulbright programs are expected to share information about Pakistani life and culture with their U.S. colleagues and with community groups in the U.S. On returning to Pakistan, Fulbright grantees are expected to share their U.S. experiences with colleagues and community groups in Pakistan. Successful candidates should be poised to assume leadership positions in their fields and must be committed to returning and serving Pakistan.

In light of the information provided by the organization itself, we recommend students to discuss the following points in their personal statement to better inform the reviewer of how they are a good fit for the scholarship.     

• Leadership Roles
• Contribution to Society
• How will your degree help you serve Pakistan better?

Since the Fulbright Scholarship is looking for leaders who can come back to Pakistan and contribute to the development of the country, it is important that you clearly communicate your leadership potential to the organization. You can do this by giving the example of an international event you participated in and won, or by talking about a technical project that you led and how it impacted your community, or by discussing your work with a community service organization or in any other way depending on your past experiences.

A lot of students have a natural tendency to look down on their projects, to think that their work is not important or significant enough because it wasn’t hard enough, it is important to remember that the measure of importance depends as much as, if not more, on the improvement it brings to the life of its users as it depends on the technical prowess it required. Simple solutions can be extremely powerful.

Also, there is a thin line between writing an intelligent personal statement that neatly connects your aspirations with education and leadership ability, and writing a personal statement that only revolves around your love for the culture but does not make a compelling case for your academic ability. Lastly, if you have not contributed significantly, do not forge examples for the sake of making your personal statement compelling.

Takeaways from the application:

Here are the most important takeaways from the instructions provided by Fulbright on how to write your personal statement:

It should be a narrative account that describes how you achieved your goals related to your area of study. It should not merely be a list of achievements and accolades, but a compelling story of your struggles and motivations to achieve them. Watch the video at the top for details.

INCLUSIVENESS

It should be a comprehensive account, including everything from your education and practical experience to career plans and interests worth mentioning.

FORMATIVE FACTORS:

It should describe the most important factors that shaped your educational or professional development.

PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE:

It should contain information on the number of years of practical experience relevant to your intended field of study.

NO MENTION OF UNIVERSITIES:

There should absolutely be no mention, whatsoever, of specific universities in the US in which you want to get enrolled. There is another section in the application for that.  

Sample Personal Statement for Fulbright Scholarship

The following are some personal statements of Fulbright grantees. Please do not try to plagiarise personal statements, they are meant to act as reference and USEFP clearly states that plagiarizing can lead to disqualification.

Sample Personal Statement Fulbright Scholarship Pakistan -1

Personal Statement for Fulbright Pakistan

Study/ Research Objectives for Fulbright Scholarship Pakistan

As the name indicates, study/ research objectives communicate the desired learning outcomes from your degree in US. Study/ Research Objectives are an opportunity for candidates to communicate what they want to study in the US.

How to write study objectives/ research objectives for Fulbright Scholarship?

Writing study objectives/ research objectives clearly is only possible if you are clear about what you want to achieve from your Master’s degree.

Some students are certain about the answer because they are passionate about a certain subject/ area and want to pursue specialization for the love of the subject. Some students are not necessarily passionate about the subject but they like a few subjects/ areas and decide they will pursue one of those areas based on which area adds the most value to their career prospects. Generally, having an understanding and knowledge of subjects/ skills that will be most required a few years from now adds the most value to one’s career.

While there are multiple ways of approaching the question of how to write study/research objectives, one way of doing this is to go to the programs you desire to enroll in and make a list of the learning outcomes given. Then, using the list, create a draft of the learning outcomes that you are passionate about and discuss how those outcomes connect with your past education/ work experience and your future goals. You don’t need to limit yourself to learning outcomes from just one program, you can select outcomes from multiple programs as long as they connect with your future goals and past academic/ work experience. However, selecting too disparate study objectives may not be a good idea.

Here are the most important takeaways from the instructions on how to write your essay on study objectives:

Takeaways from instructions:

AIMS & THEIR REASONS

As the name indicates, it should describe your study/research objectives, supported by your reasons to pursue them.

SPECIFICITY

It should specifically describe your prospective major field and specialized interests within this field.

RELEVANCE      

It should describe the intended program and explain how it aligns both with your past education and experience and your future goals.  

A common temptation here is to not just state what the objectives are but also to list the program and the university that you want to pursue. It should not mention specific universities. In a nutshell, while the personal statement for your Fulbright application has more to do with what you have done in the past, your study/research objectives relate more to your future in the field of your intended graduate studies.  

Sample Study Objectives for Fulbright Scholarship Pakistan

Sample Study/Research Objectives for Fulbright Scholarship Pakistan- 1

Sample Study/Research Objective Fulbright Scholarship Pakistan- 2

Sample Study or Research Objectives for Fulbright Scholarship Pakistan- 3

Evaluation Criteria of Fulbright Scholarship Pakistan

While the Fulbright Scholarship or the USEFP has not endorsed the following images, they were published online by a Fulbright Alumnus and reading them might give you a better idea of how reviewers approach the scholarship essays and how you should.

You may also like: Pros and Cons of Fulbright Scholarship      

Quva Students improve 10-15 GRE points on average in two months. Kickstart your prep today.

Fulbright Evaluation Criteria-1

Fulbright Evaluation Criteria-2

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Fulbright Essay Example: Study Objective

The following are some sample essays for applying for a Fulbright scholarship. This Fulbright essay example is gathered from great people like you. They are great because they dare to try and are willing to share. For the essay example of personal statement, please check here: Fulbright Scholarship Essay Tips (part 2) .

Study Objective (1)

I want to pursue a master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Courses that I am especially interested in are Curriculum Design and Language Teaching Methodology. This degree is relevant to my educational background – A bachelor’s degree in English language and literature – and my current profession as a teaching assistant at Hasanuddin University and Muhammadiyah University. I am confident that a master’s degree will enhance my academic qualifications and help me gain professional development to become a full-time lecturer soon. See also: Top universities in Taiwan

My experience as a teaching assistant and various English tutor positions are my most valuable assets in pursuing a master’s degree in TESOL. I will also contribute to the coursework that I will undertake by sharing my experiences teaching English as a foreign language in Indonesia.

My skills and interest in TESOL have been further improved upon by the seminar and workshop that I participated in. As for study commitment, I believe my distinction as the best university graduate with a 3.99 GPA is a testament to my commitment to excel academically.

Firstly, I need to undertake my master’s degree in the US because I would like to be immersed in a different learning atmosphere. I also want to challenge myself to continue my studies in the United States and gain a more comprehensive knowledge of its cultural values. As a teacher of English as a foreign language, I believe that knowledge about the culture of an English-speaking country is fundamental as culture is an inseparable component of understanding a language. There is a need to share those cultural aspects with the students through designing a curriculum to combine language and culture learning. Hopefully, the students would be able to use the language in the appropriate cultural context and appreciate and respect foreign cultural values.

Furthermore, by continuing my studies in the US, there will be many opportunities to attend famous international TESOL conferences that are often held in the US. I will gain insight into current trends in English language teaching, connect with experts in TESOL, and learn from their research. Upon returning to Indonesia with my master’s degree in TESOL, I hope to teach a broader range of courses. At Hasanuddin University, the Faculty of Letters is planning to open a stream specifically for students interested in becoming English teachers as a foreign language. Meanwhile, Muhammadiyah University plans to start international classes in Teacher Training and Education. Both programs will make good use of the knowledge that I acquire in the US. Training teaching assistants will also be one of my goals. From my experience, the teaching assistant’s role in the university has never been given adequate acknowledgment.

I also intend to continue helping out the Lentera Negeri community, which helps make English language education available for less fortunate students. In the end, the chance given to me to continue my studies in the US would benefit me and help ensure the future development of Indonesian students and aspiring English language teachers.

Study Objective (2)

I am interested in studying for a master’s degree in English language and literature in the United States. The concentration within the field is Composition and Rhetoric. It is relevant to my educational background—Bachelor’s degree in English language and literature—and to the needs of the college where I am currently working. A master’s degree program will provide me with more in-depth learning and advanced training to have the expertise I need inside and outside the academic world. Indeed, a master’s degree will enhance my academic qualifications and help me gain professional development as an English lecturer in STKIP PGRI Sumatera Barat. In STKIP PGRI Sumatera Barat, I teach English subjects. The subjects are Writing I (Paragraph development) and Writing II (Essay writing), Translation I (English-Indonesian translation) and Translation II (Indonesian-English translation), Cross-Cultural Understanding, Speaking III (Speech), and English Correspondence. See also: Top universities in India

Recently, I have a plan to teach other subjects, such as Introduction to Literature, Reading Comprehension, Public Speaking, and Academic Writing. Since I do not possess a master’s degree, the chances of realizing the plan are still out of reach. Therefore, a master’s degree program in English language and literature will surely improve my knowledge base in those subjects to realize the plan mentioned above.

In the master’s degree program, I will focus my study on Composition and Rhetoric. This is because the college needs lecturers who have academic skills and experience in writing or rhetorical situations. The future objective is to accomplish my master’s degree program; I will take responsibility as an English lecturer whose specialization is writing. Besides, I will be involved as a member of the editorial board in the research unit of the college. The unit’s task is checking and revising the language of research articles before they are published in academic journals.

The head of the English department and Chairperson of the college have encouraged me to pursue a master’s degree by focusing on composition and rhetoric in English. They officially want me to serve as one of the trainers in the Professional Teacher Education (PTE) program in 2011 to teach subjects related to Writing in the college. The program itself is conducted under the regulation of the Directorate of Higher Education of Indonesia. Therefore, I need to understand composition and rhetoric to be admitted as a trainer in the program.

I want to obtain a master’s degree in English language and literature in the United States because it is an English-speaking country and has an excellent reputation for the quality of education. Studying English in the United States can help me acquire greater fluency in the English language, which, in turn, will help my future students. After completing my study, I will better understand English as a research field and a communicative tool when I come back to Indonesia. In addition, I will appreciate the cultural values of daily life in the United States. These values, then, can be shared with my students in the college to help them better understand the importance of cross-cultural understanding.

An additional thing that I want to learn in the United States is to know and understand how American students learn in their classes. In this case, I would love to share the knowledge of Indonesian cultures with students in the United   States. This activity will positively contribute to my personal experience as a lecturer. This kind of experience is rewarding for me. I want to apply the positive sides that I have seen in the United States to my STKIP PGRI Sumatera Barat students.

Conducting research dealing with students’ ability in composing academic writing and sharing a well-shaped concept of English and American cultures with my students will benefit them in their university lives and the future. I also hope to enhance and promote the future or long-term objectives of STKIP PGRI Sumatera Barat, one of Indonesia’s critical educational assets. In the end, a Fulbright scholarship will help me ensure the future development of Indonesia’s students and teachers.

Study Objective (3)

Infrastructure is a primary driver for the economic growth of a nation. As a developing country, Indonesia is upgrading its infrastructure development and equitably expanding it to reduce the Eastern and Western Indonesia gap. Located in a complex geological condition urges geotechnical engineering to be conducted as an essential part of preliminary study for civil engineering works in Indonesia to prevent construction failure. While earning a bachelor’s degree in the Department of Geological Engineering Universitas Gadjah Mada, I focused my study on environmental geology. Geotechnics became one of the elective subjects. Having a piece of sound knowledge in understanding ground conditions and predicting potential geological hazards is the strength of a geologist. I decide to pursue a master’s degree in geotechnical engineering, particularly in underground construction and tunneling.

As a result of my excellent academic, I was chosen to participate in Indonesia Geology Olympiad 2014 as a leader of the engineering geology and hydrogeology team. It was a valuable chance to enhance my knowledge, especially slope stability. I obtained real experience by joining a community development service in 2013, empowering people to mitigate landslides in the area. It became a pioneer of landslide mitigation in Kandangserang, Pekalongan, which was then followed by installing an early warning system (EWS) in the next year.

I constantly challenge myself to study other topics of geotechnical engineering. I am currently working as a research assistant on a GEOCAP project looking at geomechanics in a geothermal reservoir. Although I have learned many topics, underground construction and tunneling have always attracted my interest. I believe it is projected as a future technology in Indonesia, especially in overcoming traffic congestion. However, research related to this has not been well developed yet. Studying this topic in a developed country with sophisticated construction technology will improve my theoretical and technical skills.

Although I have never traveled to the US, I have explored the quality of geotechnical engineering in the US by reading the textbook. Most fundamental books in geotechnical engineering come from US universities, making the US a house of dreams for people who want to advance their knowledge in this study. Furthermore, a great chance of a professional career as a geotechnical engineer enables me to gain practical experience by taking an internship. Excellent academic research and professional career will be a perfect combination of experience I will obtain from the US.

Continuing my study abroad will broaden my horizon and enhance my competitiveness in facing the ASEAN Economic Community and other global communities. Upon completing my master’s degree in geotechnical engineering, I hope to contribute to research and the academic sector. Lecturers in my department, mainly those who teach engineering geology and geotechnical engineering, earned their postgraduate degrees in Japan, Australia, and Europe. It might be the time to bring experience from the US.

Being a Fulbright awardee will open my way in connecting joint research between US universities and my department. In addition, Universitas Gadjah Mada, in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works and Housing (KemenPU-PERA), plans to open the first tunnel engineering program in Indonesia. It would be a good chance to implement my knowledge and upgrade the quality of geotechnics research, which still becomes the second priority in my department.

Study Objective (4)

As a policy advocate, I have been involved in Public Health campaigns and policy advocacy for more than five years. As a cycle of policy advocacy, I have done many important things, such as conducting policy research, writing a policy brief, and lobbying the government accordingly. As a tobacco control advocate, I have developed National TobaccoControl Roadmap, which is considered a crucial milestone in tobacco control advocacy in Indonesia.

Engaging with stakeholders and interacting with policymakers is dynamic and demands a broader perspective, knowledge, and skills. I am aware that I need to improve theoretical and practical exposure, which can benefit me in holding my responsibility. Specifically, I want to improve my understanding of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I also want to improve my capacity to develop, advocate, and evaluate policy and enhance skills in technical policy analysis such as cost-benefit analysis, the survey of population problems, and so forth.

The United States’ tertiary education offers high-quality programs. It provides broader and new insights through the latest theory, trends, and advanced research that could enhance my theoretical and conceptual understanding of the development issue. The States abundance of best practices and experiences in developing public policy, specifically in light of tobacco control policy, will equip me to influence the policymaking process. Furthermore, living in a multicultural society will also give me an international perspective. It will furnish me with a broader knowledge of its cultural values.

Therefore I would like to pursue a master’s degree in public policy, which combines a theoretical and practical approach. Alternatively master of development will also fulfill my need to enhance my academic qualification and help me to gain more credibility in my professional development. I believe that academic exposure and the environment in the United States can provide what I need.

Upon completion of my study, there are two main things I want to do. First, I want to play a pivotal role in the Health Council of Muhammadiyah to mobilize the network in Muhammadiyah and other civil societies to implement the SDGs agenda. Indonesia failed to achieve some goals. Millennium Development Goals taught me that civil society ownership of the development agenda is crucial. Second, I will take a role within a world health organization to gain international influence regarding public health and development issues.

I am confident that the opportunity given to me to continue my studies in the US will enhance my capacity to take more roles and contribute to Indonesia as a developing country.

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Fulbright Scholarship Essay Example - Research Proposal

Research proposal.

In the American news media, pundits, politicians and critics often ask this question: Can democracy flourish in the Middle East? In many Middle Eastern nations, this question has been internally debated for decades, including one particular nation, the country of Jordan. The nation of Jordan is mainly Sunni Muslim (close to 92%), a sect of Islam that is the dominant religious ideology of the region. Jordan is one of the most progressive and stable Middle Eastern nations, with a fledgling democracy (parliament in place since 1993) and bright prospects, hence my interest and hope to travel to the region with a Fulbright grant to study the opinions of secondary school students with regard to the democratization process, with the hope of defining an operating concept of democracy for Jordan and in general terms, for the entire region of the Middle East.

According to a 2005 poll conducted by the JCSS (Jordan's Center for Strategic Studies, only one of two think tanks currently devoted to taking polls of the adult Jordanian population on issues of government), Jordanians believe their society is becoming a freer, more open nation. However, the poll indicates that only 6% of Jordanians believe existing political parties represent their social, economic, and political needs. In all of these polls is another trend worth noting; all of the studies are conducted with adults. By only taking polls of those eighteen and over, the Center for Strategic Studies misses a necessary viewpoint: that of secondary school students. Considering that these students will one day form a powerful electoral group (60% of Jordanians are under 30 years old) and the notable cultural similarities between Jordan and some of its neighbors, my study will provide insight into the often cited divide between American ideas of democracy for the region, and the viewpoints of those living there.

Attitudes of secondary-school students towards democracy in Jordan have sparked my curiosity due to my own formative high-school years, which shaped my political activism and party preference. While Western governments take for granted polls of high-school students, in the Middle East this is not the case. Studying Jordanian student ideas about democracy and civic knowledge will help provide me with a better understanding of the challenges facing a fledgling democracy in the Middle East. Without understanding the viewpoint of younger generations, Jordan's quest for a progressive society may diminish with a lack of educational awareness, involvement, and understanding. In all classrooms in Jordan, students are taught civic lessons about their nation. These lessons form the basis for future interpretation of what democracy entails, and my project provides a groundbreaking opportunity to understand the framework of Middle East democracy.

I hypothesize that although students are still in their formative stages of understanding their political leanings, it is vital to understand their conception of what constitutes a Jordanian democracy. This study, in turn, will provide greater implications for most of the region. Understanding influences on students' political views (such as television, parents, student groups, mentors), and the role civic education plays in their political development will help me decipher the complex entity that is democracy. The socially constructed political fabric surrounding students can be biased by income level, educational performance, religion, national origin, gender and individuals.

If I am awarded a Fulbright, I propose to spend a year in Jordan studying the political opinions of secondary-school students (age thirteen to eighteen) keeping in mind the criteria mentioned above. My survey seeks to determine the extent to which Jordan has progressed in the democratization process, the measures that should be adopted to upgrade the democratic climate, and the inclination of secondary-school respondents to vote in future parliamentary elections once they reach the voting age. In addition, each study will be somewhat different for each grade and age group, in order to ensure that the growth of civic information (or lack thereof) is clearly illustrated. Certain questions and polls on each study will be similar to demonstrate trends and provide a baseline for the study. For example, a few objectives of the survey will be to determine respondent evaluation of the performance of their Assembly of Deputies (Majlis al-Nawab) and Senate (Majlis al-Umma), their understanding of what democracy entails, and what they believe the level of representation of the various sectors of Jordanian society and its different levels should be.

This study will be conducted with the help of the Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) in Irbid, and the Civil Society Development Center (CSDC), under the guidance of Dr. Abdallah Malkawi, Vice President of the Jordan University of Science and Technology. The CSDC is a non-profit interdisciplinary educational entity based at JUST, and it is part of the university's mission of conducting research to establish baseline data on issues of political representation, voting patterns, gender analysis, and youth employment, management of change, religious diversity and family protection.

Dr. Malkawi will be directing the selection of appropriate political science professors to advise me, and his experience in the educational sphere will be invaluable for logistical issues such as contacting schools and other university research centers. Dr. Malkawi will help me identify various school districts to help diversify the polling. Specifically, JUST will support my research by providing the necessary academic support such as the design of the study, and with contacts with local authorities, high schools and if warranted other research centers such as the Center for Strategic Studies at the Jordan University (JCSS). Mr. Saleem Haddad, a research assistant of the Jordan Center for Strategic Studies, will also be working in coordination with me to provide the statistical analysis support needed for this study. However, most of the necessary support will come from the CSDC. I will also be partaking in a few political science courses at JUST during my year abroad, such as Theories of International Relations or the Politicization of the Islamic Religion, as a complement to my research and to further my understanding of the political situation in the region.

My studies in history and political science at Rochester provide a good foundation for my project. Courses such as International Relations, Public Opinion Voting and Political Inquiry (political statistics) provide a good background of knowledge on the subject of polling. As a fluent Arabic speaker, I will be able to communicate both in and out of the classroom, and provide the Fulbright program with an articulate ambassador. In addition, my experiences in Model UN serve as a reminder of the joy of both understanding and contributing to political systems. As a debater and current President of Model UN, I often choose committees that reflect my growing interest in Middle East politics, such as the special committee of the Arab League. My ability to work well with peers, both as an individual and in groups, will also be invaluable since I will be working mainly with teenagers.

Although this type of study may seem too expansive in scope for the tenure of the Fulbright, I will be hitting the ground running since I will have designed the survey and discussed it with Dr. Malkawi and the CDSC before my grant period begins. In order to ensure the integrity and validity of my study, I will be soliciting advice from Dr. Richard Niemi throughout the spring and summer of 2007 before I travel to Jordan. I plan on traveling to Jordan in September 2007 and returning in May 2008. I will spend approximately one month for every student grade/age group interviewing and polling secondary school students, beginning with senior students and ending with freshmen (to allow for any civic education courses to remain fresh). After four to five months of interviews and polling at various schools (with a statistically significant number of responses estimated at this point at about 1500 students corresponding to a breakdown of about 100 students per school in about 15 high schools in diverse geographic regions) I will compile the data and publish an analysis of the results, hopefully in a political science journal.

This research will provide a stepping stone from which I can continue my political science studies in graduate school, culminating with a doctoral degree in Middle East policy. Through this project, I aim to gain greater insight into the belief systems of the younger set that will one day steer and govern Jordan. Secondary students are at a crossroads: this is the time when they learn about their nation, from not only their school, but from government sponsored national days, their parents and friends. By understanding how they view democracy at such a vital time, future opinions and polls will have far more weight theoretically and empirically. My hope is for the future, and understanding the political preferences of young Jordanians is necessary for understanding how to spread democratic values in the Middle East, since many nations of this region share a similar set of values as Jordan.

Original Source: University of Rochester

The 2025-26 Competition is now open. Applications must be submitted by the national deadline of October 8, 2024 at 5pm ET.

Current U.S. Student

United States citizens who are currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs are eligible to apply.If you are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a U.S. college or university, you will apply through that institution, even if you are not currently a resident there. Find the Fulbright Program Adviser on your campus.

U.S. Citizen but not a Student

If you are a U.S. citizen, will hold a bachelor’s degree by the award start date, and do not have a Ph.D. degree, then you are eligible to apply. Non-enrolled applicants should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Candidates with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program .

The Getting Started page will provide information on eligibility and next steps.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program welcomes applications in the creative and performing arts. Arts candidates for the U.S. Student Program should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Artists with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program .

Creative & Performing Arts projects fall under the Study/Research grant category and are available in all countries where Study/Research grants are offered.

U.S. Professor/Administrator

If you are a U.S. citizen and a professor or administrator at a U.S. institution and are interested in applying for a Fulbright Scholar Award, you will need to apply through fulbrightscholars.org .

To support your students in applying for a U.S. Student Program award, please connect with the Fulbright Program Adviser at your institution.

Non U.S. Citizens

If you are a non-U.S. citizen interested in applying for a Fulbright Award to the United States, you will need to apply through the Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy in your home country. Find out more information on the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program or Fulbright Foreign Student Program .

Instructions for Study/Research Recommendation Writers

The Fulbright Application Deadline is Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at 5 pm Eastern Time. All recommendations MUST be submitted through the Fulbright online application system by this time and date. No exceptions.

Recommendation Instructions

If you are not familiar with the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, please visit: us.fulbrightonline.org . The most useful sections for recommenders are the Application Components  and the  Award Description for the applicant’s proposed host country and specific award.

Fulbright applicants register recommenders in the Fulbright Online Application System allowing them to upload the recommendation letter online so that it can be included with the applicant's online application.

The Fulbright Program requires that recommendations be submitted in the Fulbright online application system, as screening committees will only have access to recommendations submitted electronically.

In completing the recommendation, keep in mind that the applicant will be serving as a cultural ambassador representing the United States and that personal attributes, as well as academic excellence, are important criterion to be considered. The study/research grant applicant should provide you with their Fulbright Statement of Grant Purpose and Personal Statement.

Please comment on the following, as appropriate:

• Feasibility of the applicant's proposed project in terms of the resources available and the research environment within the host country.
• Appropriateness of the project and subject matter for the host country
• Suitability of the proposed research methodology given the topic and the applicant’s background
• Ability of the applicant to successfully carry out the proposed research project and/or degree program within the allotted grant period.
• Linguistic preparation for the proposed plan.
• Applicant's ability to adapt to a different cultural environment and to represent the U.S. as a cultural ambassador.
• If in the arts, comment on the applicant's talent and potential for growth.
• Any other factors which you believe may have a bearing on the applicant's grant experience, if selected.

The steps below allow you to submit the recommendation letter:

• Once the applicant has registered you as a recommender, an email will be sent to you from the Fulbright Online Application System with the student’s name in the subject line. If you do not receive this email, please ask the applicant to resend the invitation email.
• Prepare the recommendation offline and save it as a Word document for your records as the program will not provide copies after submission.
• We request that letters be submitted on institution/organization letterhead as this is the generally accepted professional standard. If you do not have access to letterhead, please be sure that your name and mailing address is on the top of the first page of the letter. Wet or electronic signatures on the document are both acceptable.
• Open the link in the invitation email sent to you from the application system via [email protected] . Google Chrome is the most compatible browser. We advise against using Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, or Firefox due to some reported compatibility issues; Tablets/Phones cannot be used for submission.
• Following the steps in the online system, complete the required fields and upload your letter.
• Before submitting, click ‘preview’ to ensure this is the letter you wish to have reviewed by screening committees in the U.S. and abroad and that it appears correctly.  After submission, you will not have access to edit or change it.
• If you wish to save a copy for your personal reference, click the ‘Display Copy’ button and save the letter to your files, or save the letter to your files prior to upload.
• The final step is to submit the recommendation. Sign the form electronically and click submit.  A confirmation email will be sent to the recommender and applicant once the recommendation form has been submitted. 
• Recommendations should remain confidential. Please do not share your submission with the applicant.

Important Note: Only recommendations submitted via the Fulbright Online Application System will be reviewed. If you encounter issues uploading or submitting the recommendation, please email  [email protected]  for assistance.

Early Campus Deadlines: The applicant will provide you with the date the recommendation is due. For currently enrolled applicants or alumni applying through their alma mater, this date will be earlier than the Fulbright national application deadline. Recommendations submitted after the campus deadline may not be considered during the campus review process but should still be submitted prior to the national deadline.

Sample Study/Research Objectives for Fulbright Scholarship

by Talha Omer, MBA, M.Eng., Harvard & Cornell Grad

In statement of purpose.

With an admissions rate of less than 20%, even applicants with the most outstanding profiles and GRE test scores get rejected from the Fulbright program. What sets successful Fulbright applicants stand out are their unique experiences, achievements and their ability to bring a positive change towards the society in which they live. Hence this makes the Study/Research Objectives the most crucial element of your Fulbright application.

In this post, I am going to share with you the study/research objectives of a successful   Fulbright applicant — her goals, career aspirations, achievements, dreams, and challenges. But before I do that, do know that a study/research objective is all about answering two primary questions: “What you want to study” and “Why you want to study it?”.

Through these questions, you have to demonstrate that you are mature enough to make logical future goals and not mere impulsive ones. In your answers, Fulbright expects you to be specific by telling about your majors and field of interest and also by telling the exact program you want to pursue. Moreover, you have to explain how this degree is a natural fit and is aligned with your previous experiences and how will it help you achieve your future goals.

Writing a study objective is not JUST answering these questions one by one. It is about telling a good story that answers all of the above in a lucid and captivating manner. It’s not about dramatizing things – as if copying plots from Harry Potter. It’s about making sure to tie together answers to the above questions.

By the way, the exact question on study/research objectives is as follows:

Write a clear and detailed description of your study/research objectives, and give your reasons for wanting to pursue them. Be specific about your major field and your specialized interests within this field. Describe the kind of program you expect to undertake, and explain how your study plan fits in with your previous training and your future objectives. This statement is an essential part of your application and is required. Do not mention specific U.S. universities at which you would like to study.   (Please limit your response to 700-750 words.)

And the following study objective has answered this exact same question. Read on and get inspiration from this applicant.

Sample Study Research Objectives (SRO) for Fulbright Scholarship

My country, a nation created as the first home for the British-India Muslims almost six decades ago today, represents one of the world’s most troubling states on the brink of an economic catastrophe. Record levels of unemployment, unprecedented inflation rates, ever-increasing fiscal deficit, and looming energy crises; are just a few of the vices which have crippled my country at a macro level. Having nearly averted a balance of payments crisis back in 2008, with help from the International Monetary Fund, my country is again headed on a path of self-annihilation. Despite being rich in natural resources and self-sufficient in food production, our economic infrastructure is falling apart daily. So one is forced to ponder, but why? What makes us fail where others have succeeded? What makes us weak while others grow strong, but how do we make things right?

A childhood inquisition into finding an answer to these questions introduced me to economics. My first degree in the chosen subject gave me a well-rounded coverage of the discipline. It helped me develop an open-minded and scientific approach to problem-solving, including mathematical and statistical abilities. It imparted the necessary training to analyze and develop solutions for various micro and macroeconomic problems. With time, what started as a mere curiosity, slowly took the form of a passion: a desire to understand and decode and to learn how all the dots connect to form a complete picture.

After graduation, my induction into the Corporate Finance & Planning division at UCH Power, country’s second-largest independent power producer with a gross capacity of 586MW, allowed me to transition into the practical world. However, this in no way diminished my resolve to understand and evolve solutions for my country’s problems. My move to UCH culminated in my desire to under the grass root reality of the key issues plaguing the economy’s most wrecked sector: The Energy Sector. Electricity shortages have crippled the economy and have often led to violent protests in recent years. As a result, thousands of industrial units have been forced to shut down operations, affecting industrial output and the livelihoods of thousands of families. Furthermore, the country’s primary reliance on imported oil for power generation makes it vulnerable to volatility in international prices. To make matters worse, the electricity supply gap is projected to increase in the coming years, thereby imposing the need for significant investments in the power sector on a priority basis.

As an integral part of UCH’s Corporate Finance and Planning team, I have been primarily responsible for invoicing, research, reporting, and treasury functions. This affiliation has allowed me to interact with notable industry leaders, key government representatives, and distinguished members of the finance community. Furthermore, as part of a larger team, I have undertaken several projects to spread knowledge about the ills of energy sector and have learned and grown immensely. For instance, while working on numerous presentations and formulating economic reviews for our CEO, I have had the opportunity to educate myself on the lapses in our economic and energy planning system, which has marred our country brutally. Furthermore, participation in the recently held Annual Energy Conference, the biggest energy convention of the year, provided me with a formal platform to meet local and international stakeholders and policymakers to discuss and analyze key energy issues and their possible solutions. This has gone a long way in boosting my self-confidence while simultaneously providing me with the unique opportunity to hear the viewpoints of notable personalities within the energy sector. Therefore, despite being part of the corporate world, I have continued on my quest to seek answers to the questions that have plagued my inquisitive mind since my freshman days at college.

Having spent the last two years as part of the worst-hit sector, I have come to the grim conclusion that our problem is not one of resource shortage but one of grave resource mismanagement. Policymakers in my country have failed to foresee and plan for the growing energy demand. Despite being blessed with numerous geographical locations ideally suited for the construction of hydroelectric dams, our country’s reliance on imported oil for power generation grows by the year. Renewable energy remains a relatively unexplored concept. To make matters worse, even in the face of certain disasters, our policymakers have failed to devise a viable plan to put our country back on the path to recovery. Having said so, my choices are now clear: to be a silent observer and see my country torn apart or become part of the system and change it from within. I choose the latter.

However, despite such a productive work experience, I recognize the need for an advanced degree in the discipline if I seek to be truly effective in achieving my future goals. A master’s degree which can equip me with the skills required to effectively design and implement an economic policy with a strong emphasis on the economic problems of developing and transition economies will go far in helping me achieve my career goals upon my return to my homeland. Furthermore, I firmly believe that by pursuing a master’s degree in economic/public policy from a reputable graduate school, I will have the opportunity to truly understand and appreciate the competing interests and views surrounding a variety of complex issues about the sector’s policy framework, investment regime, institutions, and energy security.

Upon my return, I would like to seek employment with USAID, ADB, World Bank, or any of the other international development aid organizations as part of their project planning and mobilization team. Having previously been part of the team responsible for the planning and development of UCH II, a 404MW capacity expansion project for UCH Power, I will be uniquely placed to take advantage of the previously gained insight into the energy sector to ensure proper planning and utilization of development grants and loans. This will also allow me to put my newly acquired knowledge to practical use by working with national and international policymakers to correct the inherent flaws in our national planning process.

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