USA University of Utah Fulbright U.S. Student Scholarship 2026
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program 2026–2027 is now open for applications. This prestigious program provides opportunities for U.S. students and recent graduates to pursue study, research, or English teaching abroad in over 140 countries. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Fulbright aims to promote cultural exchange and mutual understanding between the United States and the world.
About the Fulbright U.S. Student Program
The Fulbright Program awards approximately 8,000 scholarships annually, including:
1,900 U.S. students
4,000 international students
1,200 U.S. scholars
900 visiting scholars
Applicants can choose from self-designed study/research projects, established research collaborations, or serve as an English Teaching Assistant (ETA). Specialized fellowships, such as the Fulbright-National Geographic Storytelling Fellowship and Fulbright-Fogarty Fellowships in Public Health, are also available.
Degree Level
Open to undergraduate seniors, graduate students, and recent alumni.
Applicants must have at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent before the start of the award.
Ph.D. holders are not eligible (except J.D. holders at the time of application).
Available Subjects
The Fulbright Program accepts applications from all academic fields and disciplines, including but not limited to:
Arts & Humanities
Social Sciences
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)
Public Health
Education & Language Studies
Environmental Studies
International Relations and Policy
Benefits
The Fulbright grant provides comprehensive financial support, which may include:
Living stipend for 9–12 months
Round-trip travel stipend to host country
Accident and sickness health insurance
Books and research allowance (if applicable)
Full or partial tuition coverage (in select cases)
Language training program (depending on country requirements)
Pre-departure and in-country orientation sessions
Mid-term enrichment activities
Eligible Nationalities
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals by the start of the award.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, applicants must:
Be a U.S. citizen or national at the time of application.
Hold at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent by the start of the grant.
Not hold a Ph.D. (except J.D. holders).
Be in good health to participate in the program.
Demonstrate language proficiency required for the host country.
Preferably not have lived in the host country for more than 6 months.
Selection Criteria
Applications are evaluated on the following:
Quality and feasibility of the project proposal
Academic excellence and/or professional record
Personal qualifications and adaptability
Language preparation and cultural readiness
Alignment with Fulbright’s mission of fostering mutual understanding
Relevance to the host country’s program needs
Application Procedure
Applicants must submit the following materials:
Fulbright Online Application
Statement of Grant Purpose (2 pages for research, 1 page for ETAs)
Personal Statement (1 page)
Letters of Recommendation (3 required)
CV/Resume
Academic Transcripts
Language Self-Evaluation & Foreign Language Evaluation (if required)
Letter of Affiliation/Endorsement from host institution (for research applicants)
Timeline
March/April 2025 – Application opens
August 22, 2025 – University of Utah deadline (for endorsement consideration)
September 2025 – University interviews and feedback
October 7, 2025 (3 pm MST) – National Deadline
January 2026 – Semi-finalist notifications
March–June 2026 – Final selection results
Length of Award
9–12 months, depending on host country and program type.
How to Apply
Applicants must apply online via the official Fulbright portal.
For University of Utah students and alumni:
Contact the Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships (ONCS)
