The

Fulbright
Program
Creating connections in a complex and changing world through scholarships for
graduate studies, research and lecturing in the USA

Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of

Educational and Cultural Affairs
 ➔ Opportunities in the U.S.
Today’s ➔ Program Overview

Presentation ➔ Types of Awards

➔ Eligibility
➔ Application Process
➔ Questions

Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of

Educational and Cultural Affairs
Opportunities in the U.S.
Are you considering going to the United States?

Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of

Educational and Cultural Affairs
Opportunities in the U.S.
Some of the possibilities
Students Scholars
● Pre-Doctoral Research (non-degree) ● Post-Doctoral Research and/or Lecturer (non-degree)

○ Conduct independent research before starting doctorate in ○ Conduct post-doctoral research, lecturing or a combination of
Belgium both

● Doctoral Research (non-degree) ○ Can be short-term or long-term

○ Conduct research as part of ongoing doctoral program in Belgium

● Doctoral Program (degree)
○ Enrollment in 5-year program
○ Requires admission to university in PhD program

Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of

Educational and Cultural Affairs
Opportunities in the U.S.
Finding a host institution
● Network (e.g. conferences, professors, alumni)
● Search for U.S. authors whose academic publications catch your
attention
● Connect with alumni or postdocs at home university
● Check if university has established visiting researcher program
● Contact potential supervisor/mentor/professor at host institution ahead
of time
● When you have found a host institution, you will need to acquire a
formal affiliation letter (may require application process!)

Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of

Educational and Cultural Affairs
Opportunities in the U.S.
Financing your program
To finance a stay in the U.S., it is often necessary to apply for
funding depending on your personal needs and your host
location, such as:
○ Scholarships (based on merit, e.g. Fulbright, BAEF)
■ In combination with personal and family funds

Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of

Educational and Cultural Affairs
Program Overview
What is the Fulbright Program?

Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of

Educational and Cultural Affairs
Program Overview
• Fulbright is the United States government’s flagship international
educational and cultural exchange program
1948 +160
• Proposed in 1945 by Senator J. William Fulbright
FIRST EXCHANGES PROGRAM
BELGIUM AND COUNTRIES
• Active in more than 160 countries worldwide, Fulbright offers an LUXEMBOURG

unparalleled opportunity to study, teach, or conduct research

• Fulbright’s mission is to foster mutual understanding between nations,

advance knowledge across communities, and improve lives around the
world +380,000 +4,500
FULBRIGHTERS ALUMNI OF BELGIUM
• More than 380,000 Fulbrighters worldwide and about 4,500 Fulbrighters WORLDWIDE AND LUXEMBOURG

from Belgium and Luxembourg since inception

Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of

Educational and Cultural Affairs
Program Overview
The Fulbright Program for Belgium and Luxembourg is
managed by the Fulbright Commission in Brussels

Quick facts:
○ Awards scholarships to Belgian and Luxembourgish citizens
for graduate studies, research and lecturing in the United
States
○ Supports American Fulbrighters coming to Belgium and
Luxembourg
○ Administers the Fulbright Schuman Program and other ECA-
funded programs
○ Hosts an EducationUSA Advising Center in Brussels

Fulbright Cohort of 2022-2023 at Whitlock Hall, U.S. Embassy Brussels

Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of

Educational and Cultural Affairs
Types of Awards
Which scholarship is for you?

Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of

Educational and Cultural Affairs
Types of Awards

FULBRIGHT FOREIGN STUDENT PROGRAM FULBRIGHT VISITING SCHOLAR PROGRAM OTHER PROGRAMS

● Grant for Graduate Studies and ● Grant for Post-Doctoral Research and ● SUSI Program for Student
Doctoral Research Lecturing Leaders and Secondary
● Partner Awards (Harvard Boas, Florida Educators
Poly) ● EducationUSA Academy
Scholarship

Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of

Educational and Cultural Affairs
Grant for
Doctoral Research
● Grant to support doctoral research in any academic field at an
accredited U.S. institution
Benefits
● Minimum 4 months and maximum 9 months of funding Stipend of up to $2,000 per month
● If you intend to: Travel stipend of $1,000
○ Conduct research before or as part of an ongoing PhD
J-1 visa sponsorship
● Grantees travel to the United States as part of the Fulbright
Foreign Student Program Pre-departure support

Health benefit plan

In-country programming

Prestigious title and access to

alumni network

Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of

Educational and Cultural Affairs
Grant for Post-Doctoral
Research and Lecturing
● Grant to support research and/or lecturing in any academic field at an
accredited U.S. institution
Benefits
● Minimum 3 months and maximum 9 months of funding Stipend of up to $3,000 per month
● If you intend to: Travel stipend of $1,000
○ Conduct post-doctoral research
J-1 visa sponsorship
○ Lecture as a visiting professor
○ … or a combination of both Pre-departure support
● PhD degree is required (or before intended departure) Health benefit plan
● Grantees travel to the United States as part of the Fulbright Visiting
Scholar Program In-country programming

Prestigious title and access to

alumni network

Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of

Educational and Cultural Affairs
Eligibility
What are the minimum requirements to apply?

Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of

Educational and Cultural Affairs
 ➔ Belgian or Luxembourgish citizenship
➔ Minimum of a bachelor’s degree
➔ Demonstrated proficiency in English
➔ Academic excellence or outstanding personal or
Eligibility for all professional background

awards ➔ Acquire admission or affiliation with an accredited U.S.

Some awards have additional university or non-profit research institution (separate and
requirements!
independent process)
➔ Submit a complete application in English by December 1
before noon (CET)
Note that the Fulbright Program is not appropriate for programs/projects involving graduate
medical education, training, or clinical research involving patient contact.

Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of

Educational and Cultural Affairs
Application Process
When and how do you need to apply?

Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of

Educational and Cultural Affairs
Application Process
SEPTEMBER 15 Fulbright competition opens (for next academic year)

DECEMBER 1 Application deadline (submit application before noon CET)

DECEMBER - JANUARY Eligible applications are evaluated by selections committee

LATE JANUARY Top-ranked applicants are invited for an interview

LATE FEBRUARY Successful applicants are notified of nomination

LATE MARCH Formal decisions are made by the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board

APRIL - AUGUST Grant administration, J-1 visa process, orientation (programs start in August at the earliest)

Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of

Educational and Cultural Affairs
Application Process
How to apply

➔ Visit fulbright.be and find the right award

➔ Review important details on the award page

➔ Click on ‘Apply Now’ which will lead you to

the online application platform from
Fulbright/IIE
➔ Follow application instructions on award Fulbright/IIE Application Platform

page

Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of

Educational and Cultural Affairs
Application Process Test scores
(e.g. GRE,
TOEFL) are
Components not required

Online application form

ALL Curriculum vitae or resume

APPLICANT
Diploma and transcripts
S
Three letters of recommendation
Submitted by recommenders you register in the application

Study or research objectives essay Project statement

STUDENTS SCHOLARS
ONLY Personal statement essay ONLY Bibliography of references

Admission or affiliation letter Affiliation letter

May be provided as late as April Must be included in application

Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of

Educational and Cultural Affairs
Application Process
Tips for a strong application

READ AWARD LEARN

START EARLY MORE
DESCRIPTION

Before you start, read the award
description carefully to ensure you meet
all requirements and your proposed
project is feasible.
Start online application and register your
recommenders as soon as possible.
Don’t wait until the last day to submit!
We cannot accept incomplete or late
submissions.
Take a moment first to learn more
about the Fulbright Program to
estimate what is expected from
applicants.

Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of

Educational and Cultural Affairs
Application Process
What does it mean to be a Fulbrighter?
● The Fulbright Program is all about promoting mutual
understanding through cultural diplomacy
● The most competitive candidates demonstrate ambassadorial
qualities and a genuine interest in educational exchange
● Articulate a clear, creative, and feasible plan for your time in
the U.S. and explain why this is the right time to go!
● … and finally, candidates are expected to return home after their
program and create a multiplier effect within their
communities by sharing their knowledge and experiences with
others

Meet&Network with Prime Minister De Croo, Fulbright alumnus

Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of

Educational and Cultural Affairs
Questions?
Commission for Educational Exchange EMAIL us at info@fulbright.be
between the United States, Belgium and
Luxembourg MORE INFO on

KBR (Royal Library of Belgium)

fulbright.be
Boulevard de l’Empereur 4, Keizerslaan fulbrightschuman.eu
1000 Brussels, Belgium
(no walk-ins, please make an appointment) educationusa.be

Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of

Educational and Cultural Affairs