The Fulbright scholarship, the world's most prestigious international program
The Fulbright Scholar Program provides grants for graduated students, researchers or teaching assistants. This is one of the most prestigious programs worldwide. To date, 60 of the students previously awarded with this scholarship have now a Nobel Prize. Does this mean that we are facing the key to success?
The origin of the Fulbright Program
Before applying for this scholarship, let's look at some context. The Fulbright Program started in 1946, after World War II. They named it in honour of the then United States senator, Senator J. William Fulbright.
The initiative that moved the senator to inaugurate this program was to promote union and international collaboration between countries and cultures, to avoid future possible conflicts born from intolerance and ignorance.
What is the Fulbright scholarship and what does it include?
The Fulbright Program it's an exchange program aimed at young students and professionals who are interested in studying, researching or teaching in any of the member countries of the Fulbright Commission.
This initiative is currently sponsored by the Office of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State, partner governments and private sector companies that are also funding partners. The Fulbright Commission has more than 160 member countries, not counting the US.
Each year, the programme grants approximately 8000 Fulbright scholarships of which 3,000 scholarships are intended exclusively for American students and professionals, while the remaining 5,000 are for students participating in the Fulbright foreign student program, from these 160 member countries of the program.
Whether you are an American and want to choose between 160 different destinations to explore new cultures, as if you come from any of these 160 countries and want to experience American life while studying at prestigious universities, this is your scholarship!
It is a financial aid that students receive to be able to go to study abroad. Now, what the Fulbright grant covers exactly?
- Trip: the scholarship usually covers the round-trip ticket to the destination you have been awarded.
- Support: you will receive an amount each month for your support, so you will not have to pay for your support expenses; the amount varies depending on the destination, but it is stipulated that it is between $ 1600 and $ 2500 per month.
- Medical insurance: when travelling abroad with the Fulbright Program, you have health insurance that will cover the basics, but there are complete student travel insurances so you can travel with everything covered, something very valuable in times of covid.
- Tuition and university fees: as an academic scholarship, the Fulbright Program covers the costs of studies at the destination university with a budget of up to $ 35,000 per year.
- Applications for admission: the scholarship includes covering the cost of applying to a maximum of 5 U. S. universities.
How to get a Fulbright scholarship?
The requirements to get one of these scholarships can vary depending on the destination and the scholarship you choose from the Fulbright Program. Likewise, depending on the destination, the conditions of the scholarship will be one or the other. You may have the option of leaving 6 months, 1 year, 2 years... Always check the conditions of each scholarship!
Fulbright scholarship requirements
Again, we remind you that the requirements may vary depending on the type of scholarship and the destination, although we can distinguish some requirements common to any type of scholarship within the program. You must have the following:
- Title of university degree or master degree before the start of the scholarship;
- Oral and written fluency in English;
- Required documentation for the corresponding scholarship requested (to consult in each destination);
- Aptitude and gifts of determination and leadership which you'll have to prove in the famous Fulbright interview.
Fulbright application
If you want to participate in the Fulbright Program 2023-2024 you'll have to pay attention, in April 2022 applications and deadlines will be reopened!
Check the application dates for Fullbright grants and prepare the necessary documentation in time to not run out of this golden opportunity!
Do you think you have what it takes to make the most of the Fulbright Program and become a future Nobel Prize winner? I do believe it! Do not miss this opportunity and be part of one of the most prestigious scholarships worldwide.
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