Fulbright Scholarship 2027 | USA | Application Process

If you are planning to study in the USA with financial support, the Fulbright Scholarship is one of the best opportunities available for international students. The Fulbright Scholarship provides fully funded programs at top American universities across a wide range of fields. In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about the Fulbright Scholarship, including its benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, and a detailed step-by-step application process to help you apply successfully.

The Fulbright Scholarship 2027 is a fully funded scholarship for international students. This scholarship is only offered for master’s and PhD studies. The Fulbright Foreign Student Program covers the full tuition fee, a living stipend, full accommodation fees, airfare, and health insurance.

These scholarships are sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and are the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program, designed to nurture mutual understanding among nations through educational and cultural exchange. The grants are awarded without regard to the applicant’s race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The scholarship is merit-based and provides up to two to five years of funding for master’s and PhD-level study or research at a U.S. university.

The Fulbright scholarship program aims to provide opportunities to diverse groups of people in the United States institutions of learning. The scholarships are granted to people from economically disadvantaged groups, minorities, and those from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds.

The United States of America has been providing Fulbright scholarships to thousands of foreign students in 155 countries to pursue their studies in United States universities and academic institutions since 1946. The scholarship was initiated to help artistic, young, and talented foreign students pursue their graduate studies and conduct world-class research in the United States of America.

Fulbright Scholarship Summary

• Level of Study: Master’s / PhD
• Institution(s): USA Universities and Academic Institutions
• Study in: USA
• Courses Offered: All fields, including interdisciplinary courses.
• Program Period: Depends on the selected program.

Fulbright Scholarship Application Deadline

The application deadline for the Fulbright Scholarship 2027 is from February to October each year. Click here to see the country-specific deadline.

Fulbright Scholarship Coverage

The Fulbright Scholarship is fully funded and provides the recipient with the following benefits:

• The scholarship covers tuition, a living stipend, airfare, health insurance, etc. The Fulbright program provides funding for the duration of the study.
• See the official website and country-specific websites for the complete list of scholarship benefits.

Eligibility Criteria for the Fulbright Scholarship 2027

To be eligible for a Fulbright Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Required Language: English
• Eligible Countries: International students from 155 countries around the world.
• Program eligibility and selection procedures vary widely by country.
• Please see the country-specific websites to find information about the Fulbright Program in your home country, including eligibility requirements and application guidelines.

How to Apply for the Fulbright Scholarship 2027?

Please follow the step-by-step application procedure below to apply for this scholarship:

(1) Make Online Application: To apply to the 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 programs, including international three-year bachelor’s 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 the GRE General Test and the TOEFL: 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+. The 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 submission. 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 overcraft your essays; just write in 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) Take Three Recommendation Letters: 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 out 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 a winning academic CV (resume) for a 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 bring your TOEFL registration slip 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.

To know more about the Fulbright Scholarship, please visit the official website:

Official Website

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to secure admission to a U.S. university before applying for Fulbright, and can I choose my university myself?

In many countries, you apply to the Fulbright program first. If you are selected, placement services match you with suitable U.S. universities based on your profile and program needs. You can usually list preferences, but final placement is not fully applicant-controlled and depends on fit, funding, and availability.

Can I apply if I have dual U.S. citizenship, a U.S. green card, or close family in the U.S.?

Eligibility is country-specific, but in general, U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents are not eligible for foreign-student Fulbright awards. Some country programs also restrict applicants who have dual U.S. nationality or immediate family ties that create eligibility conflicts. Always follow the eligibility rules published by your country’s Fulbright office.

I’m currently outside my home country or already studying abroad. Can I still apply for Fulbright?

Many country programs require applicants to be residing in their home country throughout the application and selection process. Some programs also consider applicants ineligible if they are already studying in the U.S. or are on a long-term work, residence, or student visa in another country at the time of applying. Check your country program’s ineligibility section carefully.

Can I take my spouse and children with me, and will Fulbright cover their expenses?

Dependents may be allowed under some country programs, but Fulbright funding is usually designed for the grantee only. If you plan to bring dependents, you are commonly expected to show you can cover additional living costs, childcare, and medical insurance for them. Rules and definitions of eligible dependents vary by country program.

Is MBBS or clinical medicine eligible under the Fulbright scholarship?

Many country programs do not fund clinical medicine degrees. Non-clinical tracks related to health, such as public health and health policy, are often acceptable. Confirm the exact eligible and ineligible fields on your country program’s official listing.

Is work experience required to apply for Fulbright?

Work experience is not universally required for all fields, but some tracks or disciplines may expect it, especially professionally oriented degrees. If you are applying to a program where experience is important, the selection panel will look for clear evidence of preparation and impact.

If I get Fulbright, can I stay in the U.S. after my degree finishes?

Fulbright grantees typically travel on a J visa and are generally expected to return home after completing the grant. Many grantees and their dependents are subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement, which restricts certain U.S. immigration and work pathways until it is fulfilled. Your final visa conditions depend on what is printed on your immigration documents.