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Fulbright at ASU

Overview

The Fulbright Program annually awards over 2,000 grants to support independent study or research, teaching, graduate study, or artistic practice abroad. The program was founded in 1946 to increase mutual understanding between the people of the US and other countries through the exchange of persons, knowledge, and skills. Sponsored by the US Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, it is the largest and most prestigious educational exchange fellowship program in the world.

If you are a

  • Graduating senior,
  • Current ASU graduate student, or
  • Recent ASU graduate,

You will work with ONSA advisors to apply for the Fulbright US Student Program

The campus deadline for current ASU students and recent graduates to apply for endorsement to Fulbright is Tuesday, September 10, 2024. The final date by which to schedule an intake meeting and open a Fulbright US Student application is August 29, 2024. 

If you are a current ASU

  • Faculty member
  • Administrator, or
  • Educational professional,

You will work with Karen Engler in the Office of the University Provost to apply for the Fulbright US Scholar Program.

If you are an international student

Who is seeking Fulbright funding to study in the US, contact your home country’s Fulbright commission. For more information, visit fulbrightprogram.org. If you are an international student or scholar who will be studying at ASU with Fulbright funding, contact the International Students and Scholars Center.

Getting Started with Fulbright

 

Apply to Fulbright

 

The Fulbright Program annually awards 2,000 grants to support graduate study, independent research, teaching, and artistic practice abroad. The program was founded in 1946 to increase mutual understanding between the people of the US and other countries through the exchange of persons, knowledge, and skills.

Eligibility:

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen.
  • Must have a bachelor's degree or equivalent by the start of your grant.

Undergraduates typically begin their applications spring/summer of their junior year leading into the fall of their senior year. ASU alumni, master's, and doctoral students may also apply.

Grant Types

The Fulbright US Student Program funds several types of awards. The two main types of awards are Study/Research awards and English Teaching Assistantship (ETA) awards. You may apply for only one type of grant to one country per application cycle. If you are unsure about which program is right for you, consult our FAQ page or discuss your options with one of our advisors.

  • Students applying for Study/Research awards design their own academic projects and typically audit courses at and/or complete projects under the supervision of faculty members at foreign universities. Specific program requirements will vary by country. Projects typically involve formal (i.e. classroom) study, directed study, independent research, or some combination of all three. Students may also apply for awards to support the completion of a graduate degree at a foreign university or to support projects in the creative and performing arts.
     
  • Students who receive English Teaching Assistant (ETA) awards are placed in a classroom and assist teachers of English to non-native English speakers. ETA recipients also serve as cultural ambassadors and engage in community service activities. Specific requirements of ETA grants also vary by country

Fulbright flowchart

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Fulbright Day at ASU - March 27, 2024

  • Information session and panel discussion: 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM, with reception to follow. Attend in person (MU 202 - Alumni Room) or via Zoom: RSVP.

Fulbright Application Opens - April 1, 2024, 2024

  • Fulbright site refreshes with 2025-2026 grant year information
  • Online application available
  • ASU Canvas site available 

Last Day to Open Application for ASU Endorsement - Thursday, August 29, 2024

  • To be considered for ASU endorsement, Fulbright applications must be opened by this date.

Campus Fulbright Deadline - Tuesday, September 10,  2024 - 11:59 pm MST. 

  • All application materials must be submitted online via Embark system by this time for applicants to be endorsed by ASU.

Fulbright Endorsement Interviews - Friday, September 20, 2024

  • All ASU applicants will interview on this day. Participation in campus interviews is required to be endorsed by ASU.
  • Individual interview times will be determined after the campus deadline. Due to the large number of applicants and committees, we cannot honor any time preferences.
  • All interviews will occur over Zoom. Students who have work/class should plan ahead and request time off as necessary. ONSA can provide official documentation if necessary. Please contact kai.johnson@asu.edu.

National Fulbright Deadline - October 8, 2:00 PM AZ Time (5:00 PM EST)

ASU students are encouraged to submit their final application by Friday, October 4.

A complete Fulbright application will consist of the following:

  • Biographical Data (basic resume information)
  • Statement of Grant purpose (one or two-page grant proposal)
  • Personal Statement (one-page narrative essay)
  • Recommendations (three)
  • Transcripts

Depending on the type of grant and the requirements of the host country, applicants may also need to submit the following:

  • Foreign Language Evaluation
  • Affiliation Letter (Study/Research and Arts applicants only)
  • Supplementary Materials (Arts applicants only)

The application essays are the most important component of your Fulbright application - plan to write several drafts of each essay and have them reviewed by ONSA advisors. Most applicants spend several weeks preparing their applications.

The ASU deadline to apply for the Fulbright US Student Program is September 12, 2023, 11:59 pm (AZ time). Currently enrolled students are expected to apply through the campus process. The application is submitted entirely online. The Fulbright application takes significant time to complete - don’t wait to get started! Most successful Fulbright applicants write at least seven drafts of their application essays over a period of several weeks or months.

Students and alumni applying through the ASU campus process should follow these steps in the order described. Direct any questions or concerns about these instructions to kai.johnson@asu.edu.

Fulbright sounds interesting! What should I do before making my first appointment with ONSA?

  • Check your eligibility for the Fulbright US Student Program
    • Must be a US Citizen
    • Can be a rising undergraduate senior (graduating Dec 2023, May 2024, or Aug 2024), enrolled graduate student (masters and PhD), or working professional
    • Cannot yet hold a conferred PhD degree
  • Watch the Getting Started Series video, which outlines the Fulbright application timeline, eligibility requirements, grant types, and campus process.
  • Begin determining which type of award interests you. There are four options:
    • English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Award
    • Research Award
    • Creative and Performing Arts Award
    • Graduate Degree Award

For detailed description of award types, you can watch the Getting Started Series. The award type you choose will inform the country to which you apply - not all award types are available in all countries, and many countries offer unique awards.

Remember that ultimately, you can only choose ONE award type and ONE country per application cycle.

Step 1: I watched the Getting Started Series and am eligible to apply! What is my first step in the ASU Fulbright process?

You should schedule a Fulbright intake meeting according to the award type that interests you. You will see these three options on our Bookings Site:

  1. Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Intake
  2. Fulbright Research and Arts Intake
  3. Fulbright Graduate Degree Award Intake

Intake meetings are exploratory. We will discuss the Fulbright timeline, how the specific grant might support your skills and goals, walk through the Fulbright website, and strategize next steps. Intake meetings will occur over ZOOM and in a small group setting with an advisor.

If you are still deciding between award types (e.g. ETA award and Graduate award), you can schedule separate intakes to explore your options. Just remember…you can only apply to ONE award type per cycle! So your intakes should focus on how the award will support your long-term goals.

Step 2: I completed an intake! What is my second step in the ASU Fulbright process?

At this point, you will be familiar with the Fulbright program and will be ready to explore the application components in greater depth based on your award type. You will see these three options on our Bookings Site:

  1. Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA): Getting Ready to Write
  2. Fulbright Research and Arts: Getting Ready to Write
  3. Fulbright Graduate Degree Award: Getting Ready to Write

During the “Getting Ready to Write” meeting, we will walk through the online application, discuss specific application components (e.g. Letters of Rec) and provide an introduction to the Fulbright essays according to grant type. Applicants who are still deciding on which country should have a shortlist of options (no more than three) when they arrive at this meeting.

By the end of this meeting, you will have a clear idea of your award-specific application components and country options. If you have not yet chosen a grant and country, you will have the opportunity to chat with an advisor on how to proceed.

Step 3: I’ve completed an Intake and Getting Ready to Write meeting, now what?

At this point, you will have received a lot of information regarding your Fulbright options and should be ready to begin the drafting and revision process in earnest.

If you have chosen your grant type and country, you should follow these steps:

  • Open a Fulbright application. At the bottom of the left-hand menu, click Fulbright Online Application.
  • Create an account. Indicate that you are applying through ASU (not “at-large”). You will now be entered into the system and receive important updates from ONSA about the application process.
  • E-mail Kaia Johnson at kai.johnson@asu.edu to be added to the ASU Canvas page. In your email, please confirm your grant type and country choice.

If you have not chosen a grant type or country at this point, or you have other circumstances delaying your ability to commit to the application process, your next step is to reach out to an ONSA advisor directly via email to set up an individual appointment. Please note that individual Fulbright appointments are reserved for students who have completed BOTH an Intake and Getting Ready to Write appointment.

For general Fulbright questions, contact: kai.johnson@asu.edu 

Step 4: I know my grant type and country, and I’ve opened up an application! How do I receive help on my application materials?

At this point, you are ready to start drafting your materials and may have additional questions related to your application. You should schedule an appointment based on your grant type. You will see these three options on our Bookings Site:

  1. Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA): Drafting SoGP/PS
  2. Fulbright Research and Arts: Drafting SoGP/PS
  3. Fulbright Graduate Award: Drafting SoGP/PS

This meeting will be in a small-group setting over ZOOM and be workshop style. In addition to working on your essays, there will be additional time to discuss other application components as a group, and strategize productive writing habits. You are encouraged to work on your application materials often, and schedule multiple meetings as you revise your essays. ONSA is open all summer, so take advantage of the office and start chipping away at your essays!

Step 5: I’ve been working on my application materials! When do I need to submit?

All ASU applicants must submit a complete online application by Tuesday, September 12, 2023. Please note that this date is earlier than the submission date listed on the Fulbright website. All ASU applicants must plan to submit on this earlier date. You will have the opportunity to return to your application and make changes after your campus interview.

Fulbright FAQs

 

If you are deciding between grant types, consider these questions: 

  • What skills do I already have?
  • Which skills do I hope to develop further, and why?
  • Which grant will allow me to simultaneously use and develop these skills for my desired future?

For a detailed description on the grant types, watch our Getting Started Youtube series. Scheduling an intake appointment is also a great way to explore your options. 

All currently enrolled students are expected to apply through the campus process. Anyone who is eligible for the Fulbright may apply at-large; however, currently, enrolled students who do not apply through the campus process may be viewed suspiciously by the national selection committee. Alumni may apply at-large and are not faulted in any way for doing so.

Applicants should offer compelling reasons for their choice of host country. Research/Study grant projects should be tightly connected to the host country; ETA applicants should offer a compelling reason for their interest in the host country. As well, the applicant should demonstrate a nuanced understanding of the host country’s culture and possess the requisite language skills. A “strong desire” to visit the country or a “passion” for the country is insufficient.

Full competition statistics are available on the Fulbright US Student Program website.

In a typical year, the College will endorse 50 to 70 applications. Of those applications, between 15 to 25 are typically awarded grants. Arizona State University is frequently among the top ten Fulbright-producing schools in the country.

If you are an ASU alumni or currently enrolled ASU student, you can and should work with the ONSA office to receive feedback on your Fulbright materials. In addition to 1-1 and group advising, ONSA offers a number of resources to ASU Fulbright applicants, including a Canvas page and access to alumni networks. Do not wait to make your first appointment with our office. We are excited to work with you (and yes, we are open during the summer!).

As the application develops, applicants should also seek the advice of faculty advisers, graduate students, and writing tutors.

Most Fulbrighters undertaking Research/Study grants will affiliate with universities, although in some countries it is possible to affiliate with other types of organizations such as research institutes or government ministries. The Affiliation Letter should come from the institution/individual in the host country with whom the applicant is proposing to work. Affiliation requirements vary by country, so before starting the application applicants should note the specific requirements for the proposed host country. The Affiliation Letter should be printed on official letterhead and should be signed by the author. There is no “secret” method for obtaining Affiliation Letters – applications should initiate direct contact with potential affiliates well ahead of the application deadline.

Foreign language proficiency will depend on the country to which you apply. Many grants do not require previous foreign language training.

The Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is part of the online application and should be completed by a professional language teacher. The University offers a wide range of languages, and applicants should be able to find a faculty member who can do the evaluation. You can discuss the particulars of a Foreign Language Evaluation in your appointment with an ONSA advisor.

None. The entire application is submitted online.

The Campus Committee interviews are conducted by interview teams comprised of three to four faculty members and professional staff. The two main purposes of the interviews are to 1) provide constructive feedback to the applicant; and 2) gather enough information to complete the required evaluation form that will accompany the final application. No applicant can be rejected by the University – every completed application is submitted.

Yes – the applications will be returned to “in progress” status shortly after the campus deadline. Students may continue to revise the applications until the final campus deadline established by the Fulbright Program Adviser, which is typically a few days before the national deadline.

The selection process occurs in two stages. In the first stage, the national reading committee selects applicants that it will “recommend” to the host countries. These announcements are made by the end of January each year.

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