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Fulbright U.S. Student Program - CU Resources Page

Register for our next event!

April 9 Fulbright Information Session: Click Here to Register 

  • Wednesday, April 9, 7:00-7:30 pm. Room 119, Heilman Welcome Center
  • Topics: Researching Fulbright Countries, Requesting a Letter of Affiliation, and Drafting the Application Components

What is the Fulbright U.S. Student Program?

Federal Funding for Study, Research, and Teaching Assistantships Abroad After Graduation

  • Do you want to study or do research abroad after graduation basically for free?

  • How about getting funded to teach English in another country for a year?

  • 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):

 

​Tips for Students:

Freshmen & Sophomores: Learn about Fulbright so you can prepare to apply in the future.

Juniors: Consider applying in fall 2025. Winners will travel abroad fall 2026 – spring 2027.

Seniors: You can apply any year after graduation. CU staff will support your application.

CU Fulbright Information Sessions & Events

Fulbright Week - March 24 - March 31

Fulbright Scholar Visit - Hosting a Guest Speaker

  • Monday, March 24, 5:30 pm
  • Location: TBA
  • Guest Fulbright Scholar: Dr. Elira Turdubaeva
    • Dr. Elira Turdubaeva is an experienced professor and researcher of media, journalism, and mass communication from Kyrgyzstan. She is currently conducting research at the University of Miami in Florida through the prestigious Fulbright Scholar Program. After holding leadership roles at the American University of Central Asia and the International Ala-Too University in Kyrgyzstan, she is now the President and Founder of the Online University of Kyrgyzstan. 
    • Some of her recent research has focused on AI use in the media, election campaign analysis, propaganda analysis, social media trends, and representations of gender, migrant workers, and conflicts. 

CU Fulbright Information Session - hosted by Jonathan Lehtonen, FPA

  • Wednesday, March 26, 7:00-7:45 pm
  • Location: Room 119, Heilman Welcome Center (register here)
    • Topic: Researching Fulbright Countries, Requesting a Letter of Affiliation, Requesting Letters of Recommendation, and Drafting the Application Components

Fulbright Competition Launch - Online Information Session 

 

CU Fulbright Information Sessions in April:

  • Wednesday, April 9, 7 pm, Room 119, Heilman Welcome Center
    • Topic: Researching Fulbright Countries, Requesting a Letter of Affiliation, Requesting Letters of Recommendation, and Drafting the Application Components
       
  • Wednesday, April 23, 7 pm, Room 119, Heilman Welcome Center
    • Topic: Spring Program Updates, Revising the Personal Statement and Statement of Grant Purpose, Staying in Contact over the Summer

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 Process & Deadlines for 2025 (going abroad 2026-2027)

The application to go abroad in 2026-2027 will open in spring 2025, 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.

Approximate Deadlines

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.
     

Feb - March

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 and Personal Statement.

March 1-31

The updated Fulbright program applications for 2026-2027 will be published online on March 31. 

Brainstorm countries and programs and meet with the FPA to discuss your ideas for the grant proposal.
     

March 24

Visit to campus by a Fulbright Scholar - see event details in the section on events above.
     

March 26

Fulbright Information Session - on campus - see event details in the section on events above.

March 27

Fulbright Group Presentation Session - online event - see event details in the section on events above.
     

April 1-7

Application Launch - Fulbright awards will be posted on the Fulbright program website. Get started with researching individual countries and programs options.
     

 April 9

Fulbright Information Session - on campus - see event details in the section on events above.

Before this meeting, email the FPA a description of your research ideas or your 1st draft of the Statement of Grant Purpose and the Personal Statement.

If you cannot come to the meeting, meet with the FPA online or on campus to narrow down a country and program that fits your interests.

April 26

Fulbright Information Session - on campus - see event details in the section on events above.

Bring completed rough drafts of your Statement of Grant Purpose and the Personal Statement. They can be rough!

Email your drafts to the FPA at JLehtonen@campbellsville.edu

April 26-30

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.
     

April 30

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.
     

May 5

Send the request for a Letter of Affiliation to the desired affiliate institution.

     

May 30

Revise and write a 2nd draft of your Personal Statement and Statement of Grant Purpose, and submit it to the FPA for feedback.
     

June 30

Write a 1st draft of your Program Information statements: 1) abstract of your Statement of Grant Purpose, 2) statement of Host Country Engagement, and 3) statement of Plans upon Return to the US. Submit this draft to the FPA.
     

July 15

Create / open up a new application on the program website. Start filling out basic information.
     

July 30

Send your revised Statement of Grant Purpose, Personal Statements, 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.
     

August 15

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

August 20

Submit a revised draft of the following items to the FPA: A. Program Information Statements (1. abstract of your Statement of Grant Purpose, 2. statement of Host Country Engagement, and 3. statement of Plans upon Return to the US.); B. Statement of Grant Purpose; C. Personal Statement
     

August 30

Do the Fulbright Interview with the FPA, Fulbright Scholar Liaison, and Fulbright committee on campus. This interview will give you final ideas about how to revise your Statement of Grant Purpose.
     

Sept. 15

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.

Official Website: Fulbright U.S. Student Program

To research current application requirements and Fulbright programs by country, go to https://us.fulbrightonline.org/

Here you will also find the application form.