The U.S. Student Program facilitates an exchange experience through interactions in the classroom, field, home, and day-to-day tasks. It allows grantees to appreciate others’ viewpoints and beliefs and the way they think. Through engagement in the community, the grantee will interact with their hosts on a one-to-one basis in an atmosphere of openness, academic integrity, and intellectual freedom. Grantees typically conduct their study/research projects while gaining international experience during a nine-month academic exchange.

Fulbright Study and Research Award

Candidate Profile

The following attributes are very important in the selection of finalists for this award:

• Presenting a well-defined project proposal
• Demonstrating a solid working relationship with the proposed affiliate in the application
• Clearly outlining plans for engagement with the host community and
• Expressing the relevance of the proposed grant activities to the applicants’ plans

We also consider the following competencies essential to succeed as a researcher in another country, and we suggest you reflect on them before putting your application together. You are welcome to provide examples of your competencies in the Statement of Grant Purpose and in the section Fulfilling the Fulbright Mission of the application form.

• Motivation and seriousness of purpose
• Ability to plan and carry out research
• Self-reliance and independence
• Potential for future growth in the chosen field
• Ability to communicate with people from various backgrounds

Eligibility

Residency in the host country NOT permitted in the year prior to the grant (3 months)

• Exceptions can be granted for short-term residency in the host country for formal language learning and for no more than three months in the 12 months prior to the start of the grant
• U.S. citizens with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees can apply. Doctoral students are also welcome to apply

Is Portuguese knowledge a requirement for a Fulbright in Brazil?

Program participants are expected to have at least an intermediate level of Portuguese by the start of the grant. Portuguese language skills are necessary not only for the development of the proposed project but also for settling in easily and communicating on a daily basis. Weak or a lack of Portuguese proficiency will not harm an applicant’s chances of being offered an award as long as they discuss in the application form their plans for language study between the time of application and the commencement of the grant.

Award Benefits

• Monthly stipend of US$1,020.00
• Settling-in allowance of US$1,020.00
• Research allowance of US$1,000.00
• International travel benefits
• Accident & sickness health benefits
• 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
• 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government

What is the deadline for the application for the Fulbright Study and Research program?

The Institute of International Education – IIE handles all application stages. Please check their website for more information.

Applicants affiliated with a university should contact the Fulbright Program Advisor at their institution for application information and the deadline. At-large applicants (no longer at a university) should contact the Institute of International Education or the Fulbright Commission directly.

The competition deadline for the 2026-2027 Fulbright Teaching Assistant (ETA) Program is October 6, 2026 at 5 pm EST. 

Specially selected committees will review all applications, and grants are awarded in competition and depending on funds available.