Closing Date: 2 November 2026
Call for Applications: 2027/28 Fulbright Scholar Awards to the USA are now open
Applications for Fulbright/UK Scholar Awards to the USA are now open for 2027-2028!
If you’re an academic or professional looking to head across the pond, Fulbright offers funding and support for Scholar Awards for all disciplines at any university in the USA.
Fulbright Scholar Awards to the USA
As part of the Fulbright Visiting Scholar programme, Fulbright Scholar Awards provide the only scholarships available to UK-based academics and other professionals to lecture and/or research in any discipline at any accredited US university.
Applications are now open for Fulbright Scholar Awards to the USA for academic year 2027-28.
Scholar Award grant periods typically last from 3 to 6 months, with some partner awards lasting up to an academic year. Depending on the award, Fulbright grants generally offer:
- Generous monthly stipends
- Limited sickness and accident coverage
- Logistical and visa support
- Cultural enrichment programmes and events
- Membership of national arts and culture organisations
- Academic journal database packages
Monthly stipends vary from year to year and are typically enough to comfortably cover the cost of living in the USA.
UK Scholar Awards Eligibility
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be a UK citizen. Fulbright also welcomes candidates from British Overseas Territories.
- Hold a PhD in a subject relevant to the award to which they are applying or have equivalent relevant professional degrees (e.g. medicine or law) or experience in the field.
You are not eligible for a UK Scholar Award if you are:
A dual US-UK citizen, US Green Card holder, or are resident in the US at the time of application.
The US-UK Fulbright Commission is committed to academic freedom and a rigorous, merit-based selection process. Candidates should, however, note, that final approval for Fulbright grants is made by the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FFSB), which is appointed by the President of the United States and ensures that selected projects are aligned with Administration priorities, including executive orders issued by the US President. A situation may arise in which, despite a positive nomination by the Fulbright Commission in the UK, a project may not be approved by the FFSB.
What Fulbright is looking for in an application
The Fulbright Scholar programme looks for applicants who can engage with the USA in an atmosphere of openness, academic integrity and intellectual freedom, thereby promoting mutual understanding.
Fulbright assess more than the intellectual merit of proposals. The best applications are from well-rounded applicants who can demonstrate:
- Strong academic proposals and/or research projects
- Ambassadorial skills and intercultural sensitivity
- Genuine desire to learn more about the USA and to share aspects of UK culture
- Extracurricular activities
- Community involvement
- Leadership potential
- Plans to further the Fulbright mission and give back to the UK upon returning
Selection committees and interview panels will be looking for clear reasons for selecting your US university preference. Fulbright expect candidates to conduct a thorough university search and to identify institutions that are a strong fit for their academic, personal and professional goals.
How to apply for UK Scholar Awards
Choose an award to apply for
There are several Scholar Awards available each year. Fulbright recommends applying for an award that best fits your experience and research/teaching interests.
Review the UK specific application information
Step 1. Review the eligibility criteria
Step 2. Read the UK-specific application instructions
Step 3. Read the UK-specific terms and conditions
Step 4. Review the Fulbright Commission Privacy Notice
The online application is used by Fulbright programmes around the world, and awards differ greatly from country to country. There are many fields and instructions which do not apply to UK applicants.
Therefore, you must read the UK specific application information listed above before you apply to ensure you submit a complete application in the correct way.
Complete an online application
The online application includes:
- Biographical information
- Academic, professional and extracurricular accomplishments
- Fulbright project plans
- Details of the US institution(s) to which you will be affiliated
- Three referee nominations
The online application requires you to upload the following documents:
- Scanned passport photo page
- CV
- Letter of invitation from your prospective US institution (this must be sought independently by you from the institution/department)
- Creative writing or artwork sample (if applicable)
Complete a separate online supplemental form
You can access the US-UK Fulbright Commission Supplemental Form here.
This is a required part of the application, and your application will be considered incomplete without it.
Note: arranging with a host institution
You must make separate arrangements with your chosen US host institution(s), the timeline and for which will vary from the Fulbright application. You do not need to have a host firmly in place before submitting your Fulbright application, but you must have a confirmed host affiliation in order to receive your Fulbright grant, if successful.
Review the application checklist
Make sure you review the application checklist to ensure you have submitted all of the application requirements.
UK Scholars application timeline
In general, the Fulbright Scholar Awards competition for British citizens follows the below timeline each year. Candidates must make their own independent applications to US institutions.
Timeline for academic year 2027-28
20 July 2026
Applications open
5PM GMT, November 2nd 2026
Applications close
November 2026 – January 2027
Initial screening and review of applications are done by the US-UK Fulbright Commission and review panels. You should not expect to hear from the Commission during this time, and staff will be unable to comment on the process or an individual application’s status.
Early-mid February 2027
All candidates notified of their status. If short-listed, successful candidates must be available for interview in this period. Interviews are likely to be held virtually on zoom.
March 2027
All candidates will be notified of the interview outcome.
March-Early April 2027
Fulbright Finalists’ Workshop
March-July 2027
Fulbright and J-1 Visa paperwork
Late June-July 2027
Fulbright 2-3-day Pre-Departure Orientation
From August 2027 onwards
Independent departures; your Fulbright exchange begins.
