Fulbright Programs

Each year the Core Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program provides approximately 800 grants in more than 125 countries to support teaching and research in a wide variety of academic and professional fields. Scholars contribute not only to their host institutions but also to their home universities and colleges. Recently, Fulbright has introduced new options to better accommodate the interests and commitments of today’s scholars, including innovations that increase the flexibility, impact, and scope of the program.

The Core Program also includes Distinguished Chair awards, a group of highly selective awards intended for eminent scholars with records of significant publications and outstanding teaching.

Fulbright IEA seminars are open to experienced international education administrators and other senior administrators responsible for enhancing the international dimensions of their institutions. These 2 week seminars engage U.S. administrators with overseas peers in a comparative study of the society, culture and higher education systems of France, Germany, India, Japan or South Korea.

The Fulbright Specialist Program promotes linkages between U.S. scholars and professionals and their counterparts at host institutions overseas. The program awards grants for short-term (2-6 weeks) collaborative projects in over 140 countries and 24 academic disciplines. Shorter grant lengths give Fulbright Specialists greater flexibility to pursue projects that work best with their current academic or professional commitments.

The Fulbright Regional Network for Applied Research (NEXUS) Program brings together a group of junior scholars, professionals and mid-career applied researchers from the United States, Brazil and other Western Hemisphere nations for a series of three seminar meetings and a Fulbright exchange experience. Fulbright NEXUS fosters collaborative and multidisciplinary research to address challenging regional issues and produce tangible results.

Approximately 850 faculty and professionals from more than 100 countries receive Fulbright grants each year. They conduct research, teach and pursue combined teaching and research in the United States. Scholars apply in their home countries for these grants. The Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program links campuses around the world and introduces new ideas and contacts to students, faculty and administrators.

Through the Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence (S-I-R) Program, U.S. colleges and universities collaborate with scholars from other countries to assist in internationalizing U.S. campuses, curriculum and communities. Fulbright S-I-Rs teach primarily on the undergraduate level in their areas of expertise and provide a cross-cultural or international perspective to promote curriculum and program development.

The Outreach Lecturing Fund (OLF) provides funding for campuses to host Fulbright Visiting Scholars, who are already in the United States, for short-term speaking engagements. Special consideration is given to campuses that have not previously participated in the Fulbright Scholar Program. Institutions underrepresented in the Fulbright Program are especially encouraged to participate, as are Minority Serving Institutions and community colleges.