If you are an international student looking for an opportunity to study and conduct research in the US, then the Fulbright Foreign Student Program is the right opportunity for you. This article will walk you through some of the critical information you need about the scholarship, as well as valuable resources that will help you throughout the application process.
Scholarship Category
Masters/PhD Degrees
Host Institution(s):
USA Universities and Academic Institutions
Field(s) of study:
All fields of study are encouraged to submit applications to the Fulbright foreign student program, including interdisciplinary ones.
Number of Awardee
Approximately 4,000 international students receive Fulbright scholarships each year.
Target group:
International students welcome applications from over 160 countries around the world.
Acceptance rate
The program has an acceptance rate of 20%
About the program
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program enables international graduate students, young professionals and artists to study and conduct research in the United States at U.S. universities or other academic institutions.
Scholarship benefits
The Fulbright program provides funding for the duration of the study, including grant funds for tuition, round-trip airfare to the U.S., health insurance, a settling-in allowance, monthly stipend, housing allowance, books-and-supplies allowance, and computer allowance.
Note: Grantees will not be allowed to travel with spouses and children to the US, and the grant does not cover the travel of dependents.
See the official and country-specific websites for the complete list of scholarship benefits.
Eligibility
Program eligibility and selection procedures vary widely by country. Please see the country-specific websites to find information about the Fulbright Program in your home country, including eligibility, requirements, and application guidelines.
Here are the eligibility criteria for Nigerian Applicants for the Fulbright foreign student program
To be eligible for a grant:
- Candidates must be Nigerian citizens, nationals, or permanent residents with current passports issued by the Nigerian government.
- The applicant must be a doctoral or PhD student who has completed a significant percentage of their program at a Nigerian university and has the backing of their home institution.
- A solid academic background and a reasonable degree of English ability are requirements for admission.
- Candidates must have the necessary standardised test results with a minimum score (TOEFL: a score of 90)
- High motivation and a solid commitment to finishing the program on time and going home are requirements for applicants.
- Candidates must submit a compelling proposal detailing their research’s goals, methods, timetable, and motivation to be invited for interviews.
- Applications from students who haven’t studied in the US are given preferences.
Top Recommendations
Important dates
Deadline: varies, Feb-Oct 2022
Study in: USA
The course starts AY 2023-2024
Please keep in mind that this material will be updated regularly. Create a reminder here to notify you when the next application is available.
Application process/How to Apply
All Foreign Student Program applications are processed by bi-national Fulbright Commissions/Foundations or U.S. Embassies. Therefore, international students must apply through the Fulbright Commission/Foundation or U.S. Embassy in their home countries. Deadline varies per country but is around February to October annually.
However, All applicants must thoroughly fill out the application forms and upload their supporting documents online (3 academic and professional references, Curriculum Vitae, academic transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended and a writing sample.)
It is essential to visit the official website (link found below) and the country-specific websites for detailed information on how to apply for this scholarship.
Tips to Ace the Application process
Here are some helpful resources that can help you through your application process.
- Graduate School Abroad — Applying to graduate school Abroad
- How to craft a great CV — for tips on resume/CV writing and interview skills
- Writing and Communication — for writing and communication support. This will help you through the short essays.
- Application Waiver — Application Fee waiver for international students: How to make the most of it
- Reference Letter — How to ask for a reference letter without being intimidated
Official Website
Official Scholarship Website: http://foreign.fulbrightonline.org/about/foreign-fulbright
Conclusion
The Fulbright program is a popular program with so many benefits. Make sure to read the instructions preceding the application carefully and seek the assistance of senior colleagues who are Fulbright alumni before they fill out the forms. If you still have any challenges, you can reach out to our scholarship assistance at jobsandjapa using “Scholarship Assistant” as the email’s subject, or you can contact us via any of our social media platforms @jobsandjapa.
Frequently asked questions about the Fulbright Foreign Student Program
Which Fulbright countries are the most competitive?
On average, the United Kingdom receives 842 applications, about three times that of Germany (298), the runner-up. India, France, Mexico, Italy, China, Spain, South Africa, and Australia are popular, with average application numbers ranging from 105 to 200.
What characteristics distinguish an excellent Fulbright candidate?
The Fulbright program chooses winners based on the following criteria: academic/professional record, language preparation, the practicality of the proposed project, personal qualifications, and the extent to which the project would promote mutual understanding across nations.
How much does Fulbright pay?
Fulbright pays Up to $25,000 per school year. This amount is not labelled so the scholarship recipient can use the funds for living expenses (according to the State Department tabulator), tuition, fees and books.
