If you dream of studying in the USA with a fully funded scholarship, this is a golden opportunity for you. The Fulbright Scholarships are now open. This article will explain the scholarship, its benefits, and the step-by-step application process.
The Fulbright Scholarship 2025-2026 is a fully funded program for international students pursuing master’s or PhD studies. It covers the full tuition fee, living stipend, accommodation, airfare, and health insurance.
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, the Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s premier international educational exchange initiative. It promotes mutual understanding among nations through education and cultural exchange. Grants are awarded without discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, socio-economic background, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
The program aims to provide opportunities for diverse groups of people to study at U.S. institutions. It especially supports individuals from economically disadvantaged groups, minorities, and those from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds.
Since 1946, the USA has offered Fulbright Scholarships to thousands of international students from 155 countries, enabling them to study at U.S. universities and research institutions. The scholarship was created to help talented and artistic young individuals pursue graduate studies and conduct world-class research in the United States.
This merit-based scholarship provides funding for two to five years of graduate or PhD-level study or research at a U.S. university. AMIDEAST, an organization integral to the program’s success, has supported Fulbright students for over 40 years. It has placed students from the MENA region in U.S. universities and fostered academic and cultural exchange.
Fulbright Scholarship Summary
- Level of Study: Master’s, PhD
- Institutions: U.S. Universities and Academic Institutions
- Study Location: USA
- Courses Offered: All fields, including interdisciplinary programs
- Program Duration: Varies depending on the chosen program
- Application Deadline: Varies by country (February to October annually)
Fulbright Scholarship Coverage
The Fulbright Scholarship 2024 is fully funded and provides the following benefits:
- Tuition fees
- Living stipend
- Airfare
- Health insurance
- Additional benefits related to the scholarship
The Fulbright program offers funding for the entire duration of the study. For a complete list of benefits, visit the official website and country-specific pages.
Eligibility Criteria for Fulbright Scholarship 2025
To qualify for the Fulbright Scholarship, applicants must meet these criteria:
- Language Requirement: English
- Eligible Countries: Open to international students from 155 countries around the world
- Program Eligibility: Requirements and selection procedures vary by country
For detailed information about the Fulbright Program in your country, including eligibility and application guidelines, please visit the country-specific websites.
How to Apply for Fulbright Scholarship 2025?
Also check Scholarships between October to December Deadlines
Please follow the following step by step application procedure to apply for Fulbright scholarship:
(1) Make Online Application
To apply to Fulbright program you need to assemble a variety of materials to help the USEFP assess your qualifications. All materials must be submitted with your application.
(2) Prepare Academic Transcripts and Degrees
All transcripts and degrees from a 4-year undergraduate degree or its equivalent – equivalent programs include international three-year bachelor programs or ACCA. PhD applicants must also submit their MPhil or MS degrees and transcripts. You can also apply while in your final year of undergraduate studies provided that you get your degree by December this year.
The USEFP looks at your transcripts from a holistic perspective – not just your GPA. They take into account where you went for your education, the courses that you took and your performance in individual courses. They also account for the fact that different universities have different grading systems. There is no minimum GPA to apply, although most successful Fulbright students have strong undergraduate records. Undergraduate academics are just one factor the Fulbright panel uses to evaluate a candidate.
(3) Take GRE General Test and TOFEL
When submitting your application, you may report the unofficial GRE score given on the day of the test, or your official score if you have received it. Every applicant must request that ETS send an official score report directly to USEFP using the code 9388. GRE general (international) test scores are required at the time of application. A decent score for Engineering and Sciences on the GRE is 315+ and that for other fields is 310+. GRE subject test is not required.
The minimum GRE score required to apply for the Fulbright is 138 for verbal and 136 for quantitative. But generally, accepted applicants have a GRE score in the upper percentiles. If you take the GRE test multiple times, you may report your best score, and Fulbright will only look at that score. TOEFL is NOT required at the time of the application submissions. You will have to take the TOEFL exam if you are called for an interview. IELTS is not acceptable.
(4) Prepare Two Essays
There are two essays for the Fulbright application. Each essay must be written in the space provided in the application form, which approximates to 800 words. Don’t over craft your essays; just write in a clear language so that the Fulbright panel that doesn’t know your world can understand you better. Before starting the essays you are going to need to figure out a marketing strategy for yourself. Successful applicants generally take 4-6 weeks writing and perfecting their essays.
(5) Three Recommendation letters are required
You will need to have three recommendations submitted with your application by the application deadline. You can have 3 academic reference letters, or 2 academic and 1 professional or 2 professional and 1 academic. In other words, 1 academic reference letter is a must. Your referees need to fill the reference forms given in the application package and then sign, stamp and seal them in an envelope. Once you submit your online application your referees will be sent an online form via email.
There is no set formula for “who should write your references”. Sometimes it is also not possible to ask your employer to write your recommendation – USEFP does not want to jeopardize your current position for the application process. Just find people who know you well enough to answer them. It can be a former employer, teacher or researcher.
(6) Prepare Academic Resume
A current and most up-to-date resume should be added to the space provided on the application form. You do not need to have it in any special format. Please read this helpful article on How to make wining Academic CV (Resume) for Scholarship?
(7) Submit Online Application
There is no application fee for the Fulbright program. Applications must be submitted online.
(8) Interview
After your written application has been submitted and reviewed, you may be invited to a panel interview. Interview decisions are made by mid-September and interviews are conducted in October. If you do not hear from USEFP by October it automatically implies that you have not been selected. The interview is a positive indicator of selection, but is not a guarantee of admission. Interviews are 15 to 30 minutes and are conducted by a panel of 4 people. You have to take your TOEFL registration slip with you on the day of the interview and it is not mandatory to have taken the TOEFL exam by the interview date.
It is important to visit the official website (link found below) and the country specific websites for detailed information on how to apply for this scholarship.
The Fulbright Scholarship deadline varies per country. But generally, it is between February to October annually.
To know more about Fulbright Scholarship, please visit the official website: