What is Fulbright?
Why Should You Apply to Fulbright?
Check out these videos on the 3 main Fulbright options:
Faculty Workshop Breakout Session
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Fulbright - Faculty Workshop Breakout SessionSlides for Monday, August 18 at 1:00-1:45, TTC 105
Past Events - Recorded Webinars:
Click here to view recent webinars on the Fulbright US Student Program. These webinars cover the following topics: Intro to the program, application tips, Fulbright alumni voices, and connecting your unique background to a Fulbright program.
Upcoming Events:
Fulbright Information Session - Webinar - Thursday, November 13, 8:00 pm - 8:45 pm. Learn more about opportunities for students in the Fulbright program and gain advice on how to get started with your application for next year. Please click here to register to receive the meeting link.
Fulbright Information Session - On Campus - Friday, November 14, 10:00 am - 10:45 am, Carter Hall 103. Hear about the benefits of studying abroad from people who have international experience. Learn more about opportunities for students and gain advice on how to get started with your application for next year. Please click here to register.
Official Website: Fulbright U.S. Student Program
To research current application requirements and Fulbright programs by country and to create your application login, go to https://us.fulbrightonline.org/
What is the Fulbright U.S. Student Program?
Federal Funding for Study, Research, and Teaching Assistantships Abroad After Graduation:
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Do you want to study or do research abroad after graduation basically for free?
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How about getting funded to teach English in another country for a year?
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Would you want to pursue artistic or musical studies overseas?
"The Fulbright U.S. Student Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and administered by the Institute for International Education, offers diverse opportunities around the world for research, graduate study, teaching abroad, and cultural exchange for current U.S. students and recent graduates. Fulbright fellows are immersed in the culture and daily life of the country of their choice. Successful applicants to this program will promote leadership, learning, and mutual understanding between cultures. Award benefits include round-trip transportation to host country, a stipend to cover room, board, and living expenses, and accident and sickness health benefits. Some grants may include additional funding for study and research, including language study and full or partial tuition." --Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Main Requirements:
- Be a U.S. Citizen
- Graduate with a bachelor's degree before going abroad
- Meet the host country's language requirements (but many host programs use English)
Starting the Application (Due in September 2025, to go abroad in 2026-2027):
- Read the basics about Fulbright here at the official website.
- Visit the Fulbright online "Getting Started" page.
- Explore programs and requirements at individual countries here.
- Watch the videos posted on the left side of this page about the 3 Fulbright options and find more videos here.
Tips for Students:
Freshmen & Sophomores: Learn about Fulbright so you can prepare to apply in the future.
Juniors: Consider applying in fall 2065. Winners will travel abroad fall 2027 – spring 2028.
Seniors: You can apply any year after graduation. CU staff will support your application.
Meet your Fulbright Program Advisor (FPA): Jonathan Lehtonen
Jonathan Lehtonen, who works at the CU Montgomery Library, is the Fulbright Program Advisor (FPA) on campus who will help students navigate the application process. Anyone working on an application can receive feedback on their application For more information, contact him at JLehtonen@campbellsville.edu.
Jonathan studied abroad at the University of Turku, Finland, in 2009, and has taught English to international students and immigrants from over 50 different countries. He hopes to support your development of a global consciousness.
Application Timeline for 2026 (going abroad 2027-2028)
The application to go abroad in 2027-2028 will open in spring 2026, and the official application due date on the Fulbright website is typically in October. However, as a CU student, you are expected to submit your application materials for review by the CU Fulbright Program Advisor (FPA) according to the schedule below. Application materials must be submitted to the FPA on time in order for you to receive timely feedback so you can revise them. Breaking the lengthy application into pieces also will help to keep you from getting overwhelmed.
| Overall Objective of this Period |
Approximate Deadlines |
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Note: these deadlines are approximate. By not meeting a deadline, you might not be able to receive sufficient feedback from the FPA for that item on the application. |
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| Learn the Basics of Fulbright. |
Jan - March
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Contact the FPA (Jonathan Lehtonen, jlehtonen@campbellsville.edu) about your interest in Fulbright. He will send you materials on writing the Statement of Grant Purpose. |
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| Narrow down your interests. |
March 1 - 31 |
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Brainstorm countries and programs and meet with the FPA to discuss your ideas for the grant proposal. |
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| Research specific Fulbright programs/ countries. |
April 1 - 15 |
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Application Launch - Fulbright awards are usually posted around the first week of April on the Fulbright program website. Get started with researching individual countries and programs options. |
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| Notify your professors and start drafting application essays |
April 15 - 30 |
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Start writing an outline or rough draft of your Statement of Grant Purpose with the help of CU professors who have expertise in this area. Email your drafts to the FPA at JLehtonen@campbellsville.edu and schedule an appointment for feedback on your project. |
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| Request recommenders before the end of the semester |
May 1 - 10 |
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Reach out to potential recommenders to let them know you are interested in the Fulbright Program and/or graduate school and politely ask them if they would consider writing a letter of recommendation later on this year. It would probably be best to stop by their office hours and/or talk to them in person, and be prepared to tell them a little bit more about your application plans. If you need help, ask the FPA for tips about requesting recommenders. |
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| Request a Letter of Affiliation from a host university. |
May 10-30 |
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Draft a formal request to the host institution for a Letter of Affiliation and send it to the FPA for review. The website and the FPA can explain what should go in your request. (Note: the English Teaching Assistant program does not require a Letter of Affiliation.) |
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| Work on the Statement of Grant Purpose. |
June 1 - 30 |
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Write the next draft of your Statement of Grant Purpose, and submit it to the FPA for feedback. Also |
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| Work on the other Short Answer section of the application |
July 1 - 30 |
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Write the 1st draft of your Short Answers: 1) Flexibility & Adaptability, 2) Community Engagement, and 3) Impact of Fulbright Award Submit this draft to the FPA for review. |
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| Create Fulbright application login and request recommenders |
Aug 1-15 |
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Create / open up a new application on the program website. Start filling out basic information. Send your revised Statement of Grant Purpose, Short Answers, and an updated resume/CV to your 3 recommenders and make a polite, formal request for their recommendation letters. Send them the link where they can upload their letters, and any other helpful information. Be as detailed and helpful as possible. |
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| Request foreign language evaluations and request college transcripts to be uploaded |
Aug 15 |
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Contact your foreign language evaluator for an appointment to evaluate you and fill out the Fulbright form.
Request all college transcripts to be uploaded to your application |
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| Finish writing complete drafts for all application components and submit them to the FPA and CU professors for feedback |
Aug 15 - 30 |
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Based on previous feedback, revise your Statement of Grant Purpose. Write the Abstract/Summary of your Statement of Grant Purpose. Submit a revised draft of the following items to the FPA: 1. Statement of Grant Purpose 2. Abstract of your Statement of Grant Purpose 3. Short Answers Sections: (1) Flexibility & Adaptability, (2) Community Engagement, and (3) Impact of Fulbright Award |
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| Fulbright Interview with CU faculty and staff to approve your application |
Sept 1 - 15 |
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Do the Fulbright Interview with the FPA, Fulbright Scholar Liaison, and Fulbright committee on campus before September 15. This interview will give you final ideas about how to revise your Statement of Grant Purpose. The FPA will contact you to schedule this interview. |
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| Submit the final application with the help of the FPA. |
Sept 15 - 30 |
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Submit a final draft of all components, and submit your materials on the official site. After this, the FPA will check your application for any issue, contact you about any revisions. Once everything is finalized, the FPA will send in your full application before the National Deadline. |