Fulbright Master’s Degree Fellowships

Are you thinking about pursuing a Master’s degree in the United States? If so, you might want to consider applying for the Fulbright Master’s Degree Fellowship Program. This program is open to students from all fields of study, with the exception of those that require clinical activities and hands-on contact with patients.

If you are accepted into the program, you will have two placement track options to choose from. The first track, known as the self-placement track, requires candidates to research their own degree program options and independently submit, track, and follow up on application status, university cost-share, and final admission offers. Candidates who select this track will receive no assistance from IIE’s University Placement division during the process. The grant in this track is limited by a cap that is derived from the average cost of studies in a U.S. academic institute. However, in this track, the submission plan is not limited to a specific number of institutions.

Alternatively, candidates can choose the IIE placement track. In this track, candidates do not apply directly for admission to US universities. Instead, the Institute for International Education (IIE) will formulate a submission plan on the basis of the candidates’ preferences, the placement officer’s evaluation of the candidates’ qualifications relative to university admission standards, financial consideration, geographical diversity, and considerations growing out of Fulbright program objectives.

It is important to note that the Fulbright Master’s Degree Fellowship Program is highly competitive, and applicants are encouraged to start preparing their applications well in advance of the deadline. If you are selected as a Fulbright Master’s Degree Fellow, you will receive funding for tuition, fees, and living expenses for up to two years of study in the United States. In addition, fellows will have access to a wide range of academic and cultural enrichment activities and will be part of a global network of Fulbright alumni.

The deadline for applications for the 2024/2025 academic year is still some time away, but it is never too early to start preparing. If you are interested in applying for the Fulbright Master’s Degree Fellowship Program, be sure to visit the program’s website for more information and to begin your application.

Grant benefits:

• Tuition and fees for a maximum of two years;
• Monthly maintenance allowance, fixed according to IIE estimates, for a maximum of two years for the grantee only;
• Books and equipment allowance;
• Basic health insurance for the grantee only for the duration of the grant;
• J1/J2 visa administration;
• A support agency in the U.S. that assists with visas, events and networking.

Eligibility criteria:

• Candidates will be considered without regard to race, religion, gender, age, and/or physical impairment.
• Students who have already begun their program of studies in the United States or who are planning to begin study in the U.S. before the 2024 Fall semester are not eligible to apply.
• Those who have already been awarded Bachelor’s degrees and students who will complete their Bachelor’s degree studies during the 2022/2023 academic year are eligible to apply. Selected candidates will be required to provide proof that they have been awarded a Bachelor’s degree by December 31, 2023.
• Students in medicine, dental medicine, veterinary medicine, nursing and other programs which involve treatment of patients are not eligible for Fulbright grants.
• Candidates who have applied on two occasions in the past and whose applications have not been accepted are not eligible to reapply.
• Candidates invited for an interview must submit a recent Duolingo English Test score of a minimum 115.
• After the nomination process, selected candidates, including those who have studied in English-speaking countries, must submit a recent TOEFL score by November 20, 2023.
• After the nomination process, certain selected candidates will have to submit a GRE/GMAT score.
• Prior to their departure, nominees must provide proof of financial coverage for all expenses exceeding the grant, according to IIE’s guidelines.
• Candidates must be in good health. All applicants selected for a Fulbright grant are required to submit a Medical History and Examination Report before their grants can be activated.
• Prior conviction or current indictment for a felony may result in disqualification

Application Process:

Timetable for 24/25:

Application components:

1. personal statement – Your personal statement should be a narrative statement describing how you have achieved your current goals.
2. Writing sample – Upload writing sample. This is required for all PhD (Doctoral) applicants. Select Master’s fields may also require a writing sample. If no specific guidance is provided in the country instructions, and you are not a PhD applicant, then this field is recommended, but not required.
3. LORs – Refer to your country-specific instructions for details on the required number of recommenders. Once you register your recommenders, they will receive an automatic email with instructions on completing the online recommendation form.

Interview process:

The highest-ranked candidates will be invited for an interview.  All interviews are held on the same day. In order to be considered for an award, applicants must be available for interview in person on the date fixed by Fulbright.