Fulbright Postgraduate Student Awards for UK Citizen

The Commission is now accepting applications for this Award.

Each year up to 20 awards are offered to UK citizens for the first year of postgraduate or doctoral study, or for 'special student research', in any subject at any accredited US institution. Successful candidates will work with the Fulbright Commission and the Institute of International Education (IIE) to identify and apply to the university departments which offer the best academic fit for them.

The Commission also offers specific postgraduate-level awards for Journalism, an MBA at Harvard or a PhD in Science or Technology related fields.

Award Benefits

Grants are for a minimum of $25,000 paid in instalments directly to the grantee, the first of which is typically given just prior to departure from the UK. This funding is intended as a contribution towards the first year of tuition fees and general maintenance costs whilst in the US. University application and entrance exam fees, limited sickness and accident benefit coverage, visa sponsorship and processing and participation in a number of Fulbright Scholar events are also included.

The final award amount will depend on the choices the candidate makes during the university placement process and in the end she/he will choose from four or five award packages that will typically range from $25,000 to a fully-funded programme.

Selection Criteria

Minimum eligibility for this award category:

• UK citizen (resident anywhere)
• hold or expect to obtain a minimum 2:1 honours undergraduate degree or the equivalent prior to your anticipated enrolment with a US university

Preference will be given to those who do not have extensive, recent experience in the US (6 months).  Please read the Terms and Conditions for this award before making an application.

Projects which involve direct patient clinical contact are not permitted. Awards are not available for peripatetic visits or attendance at conferences only. US nationals, those with dual US-UK citizenship and those resident in the US may not apply.

In making these awards the Commission is looking not only for academic excellence but a focused application, a range of extracurricular and community activities, demonstrated ambassadorial skills, a desire to further the Fulbright Programme and a plan to give back to your home country upon returning.

Applying

To complete an application, please read and follow the UK Country-Specific Online Application instructions.

Applications are made online but must be printed and signed, along with several supplemental forms, and posted to the Fulbright Commission.  You will  be asked to register with the online application site.

The online application is facilitated by IIE and is used by Fulbright Commissions worldwide.  Each Commission sets its own policies and procedures and country-specific instructions for using the online application system. You will be able to log in and out of your account and will not be required to complete the application in one sitting.  When making an application for a US-UK Fulbright Scholar and Fellow Award it is imperative you follow the UK country-specific instructions.

Applications will need to be posted to the Fulbright Commission. Successful applicants will be invited for interviews at the Fulbright Commission on the date(s) listed below. Interviews will only be held on the indicated date(s) only and may not be rescheduled.

Timeline

1 February - Competition opens, applications available
31 May - Application deadline
June-July - Applications evaluated, short-list drawn up
Early August - Short-listed candidates invited to interview
11-26 August - Fulbright interviews
early-September - Notification, finalists revise for standardised exams
3 October - Fulbright Finalist’s Workshop in London, finalists book and sit standardised exams
October 2011 - May 2012 - US university application and placement process and Fulbright scholar and J1 visa paperwork preparation
Late June/early July 2012 - Fulbright Orientation and pre-departure planning in London
Early July 2012 - 30 April 2013 - Independent departures, Your Fulbright Year begins!
Upon arrival in the US, candidates will be required to complete an arrival report. Later in their stay, a year-end report will also be required.

Upon returning to the UK, candidates will be encouraged to participate in alumni activities (including attending returners' soirees, giving a presentation and participating in the selection process for future awards).

Go to official website for complete information.