The Fulbright Scholar Program is one of the most powerful and transformative professional development experiences available to faculty. The program offers a wide variety of opportunities for faculty and scholars, both for US citizens and visitors from other countries.
Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program
Celebrating 75 years of international impact, the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program offers teaching and research awards to U.S. citizens in more than 130 countries. College and university faculty and administrators, as well as professionals, artists, journalists, scientists, lawyers, and many others, can join the more than 400,000 Fulbrighters who have come away with enhanced skills, new connections, and greater mutual understanding.
Interested faculty and professionals are encouraged to learn more about these opportunities by visiting the Catalog of Awards and attending a webinar. To receive news and updates about the competition, please register your interest. Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
If you know someone who could benefit from a Fulbright U.S. Scholar award, please refer a colleague by filling out this form.
We’re here to help
The Global Education Office serves as VCU's central point of contact and principal liaison for the faculty Fulbright program.
We can connect you with former participants right here on campus, help you develop and polish your Fulbright proposal and provide you with the most up-to-date information on opportunities available.
If you are interested in exploring opportunities offered through Fulbright, please contact us at geo@vcu.edu.
Fulbright Scholar Program Info Session
A Message from the U.S. Fulbright Scholars Program Administrators
The U.S. Department of State is continuously monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, and is working closely with partner governments, Fulbright Commissions, U.S. Embassies, Fulbright cooperating agencies, and U.S. and foreign host institutions to provide guidance and information to our Fulbright exchange participants. We share your concerns for everyone’s health, safety, and well-being, and are focused on supporting all Fulbrighters at this time.
On March 19, 2020, the U.S. Department of State issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory - Do Not Travel which instructs all Americans abroad to either return to the United States or prepare to shelter in place.
As a result of this advisory, the Fulbright Program is now suspended for all U.S. participants. We urge all current U.S. Fulbright participants to make arrangements to return to the United States as soon as possible.
An email has been sent to program participants which provides detailed information about arranging travel, financial considerations, and things to consider while preparing for your return to the United States.
In these unprecedented circumstances, we also recognize that due to conditions in specific countries, including the closing of borders and air space, the lack of available flights, or other safety considerations, not all U.S. Fulbright participants will be able to depart for the United States at this time. If you find yourself in this situation, please refer to your email for guidance and be in contact with your Fulbright administrators in your host country.
As circumstances are evolving, all Fulbrighters should remain in close contact with their Fulbright Program administrators, advisors, and/or their Fulbright binational commissions.
Your Fulbright Commission, U.S. Embassy, and/or IIE, will make every effort to assist you during this time, and we ask that all specific questions about your situation be sent to your advisor, as they have the most relevant information for your country and case. Please know that, at this difficult time, Fulbright advisors and Fulbright Commission staff are working diligently to provide support to each participant.
The above program suspension applies only to American citizens currently participating in the U.S. Fulbright Program abroad. Foreign Fulbrighters on programs in the United States, as part of the Fulbright Foreign Student and Visiting Scholar Programs, should contact their Fulbright Program administrators to inquire about any changes in their situations.
For general information regarding COVID-19, please visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of State’s www.travel.state.gov page Current Outbreak of Coronavirus Disease.
The Fulbright Program was established in 1946 under legislation introduced by then-Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas. The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
The Fulbright Program awards approximately 8,000 grants annually. Roughly 1,600 U.S. students, 4,000 foreign students, 1,200 U.S. scholars, and 900 visiting scholars receive awards, in addition to several hundred teachers and professionals. Approximately 310,000 faculty have participated in the Fulbright Program since its inception in 1946.