Fulbright Foreign Student Program to Study in United States 2026

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program funded by the U.S. Government enables graduate students, young professionals and artists from abroad to study and conduct research in the United States.

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program operates in more than 160 countries worldwide. Approximately 4,000 foreign students receive Fulbright scholarships each year. The Fulbright Foreign Student Program is administered by binational Fulbright Commissions/Foundations or U.S. Embassies. All Foreign Student Program applications are processed by these offices.

About Fulbrigh

Fulbright Foreign Student Program to Study in United States

Aim and Benefits of Fulbright Foreign Student Program to Study in United States

• J-1 visa sponsorship 
• Funding support
• Health benefit plan
• Enrichment activities

Requirements for Fulbright Foreign Student Program to Study in United States Qualification

• Reside in the country of nomination at the time of application. 
• At the time of program start date, possess the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree with a good academic record. 
• Are fluent in English, as demonstrated by a recommended recent score of no less than 550 (Paper Based TOEFL), 79-80 (Internet Based TOEFL - IBT), or 6.5(Overall Score International English Language Testing System - IELTS); test scores can be submitted to IIE by indicating the institutional code 2326 on the day of the test .
• Do not hold U.S. citizenship; dual citizens are not eligible for the program participation.
• Additional eligibility requirements differ by country of citizenship. Please use the drop-down menu below to find information about the Fulbright Program in your home country, including eligibility requirements and application guidelines. 

Placement types for the Fulbright Foreign Student Program

Please discuss the U.S. university admission and placement approach with the Fulbright office in your home country. In the United States, the Institute of International Education (IIE) as well as AMIDEAST administer the Fulbright Foreign Student Program on behalf of the U.S. Department of State. 

IIE administers the Foreign Fulbright Program for Africa, Eurasia, Europe, East Asia and Pacific, South and Central Asia, part of the Middle East, and the Western Hemisphere. IIE is the longest running administrative agency and has been administering the program since its inception in 1946. AMIDEAST administers the Fulbright Foreign Student Program for most of the Middle East and North Africa.

There are two placement models for IIE’s Fulbright Foreign Student Program: IIE-Placement & Self-Placement.

1. IIE-Placement
   • IIE Placement:  IIE’s Placement service works to secure degree and non-degree opportunities on behalf of Fulbright candidates. Candidates are required to submit their Fulbright application and provide all supporting documents to their respective Fulbright office per established country/award deadlines. The Placement Team will use the information shared in their Fulbright application to apply to institutions on behalf of each candidate.  The Placement Team will manage admission decisions and negotiate funding.  The Placement Team will accept and decline on behalf of candidates once a final placement decision is made.  The Placement Team is the first point of contact to U.S. institutions during this process and candidates are only in touch directly with U.S. institutions on an as needed basis.
2. Self-Placement
   • Candidates apply to universities directly and manage their applications with universities directly. Candidates are responsible to submit materials and test scores per each university deadline and application requirements including any associated fees or deposits. IIE is not involved in the application process for self-placed candidates. Candidates secure their own admission, possible university funding and tuition awards independently.

Note: Students cannot apply for programs with clinical requirements such as dentistry, medicine, pharmacy, nursing. Please note that fields of study such as public health and nursing administration are permitted.

Check also:Humanitarian Scholarship Programme at University of Manchester 2026

Application Deadline

How to Apply

For more information, kindly visit Fulbright scholarship webpage.