Check out these videos on the various Fulbright options:
Tutorial 1:
Tutorial 2:
Tutorial 3:
Tutorial 4:
Click Here to Register for the March 26 Information Session
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:
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 Scholar Visit - Hosting a Guest Speaker
Official Fulbright Presentation Session Online - Group Presentation Session:
CU Fulbright Information Sessions:
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 in 2025
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 and are still being developed. By not meeting a deadline, you might not be able to receive sufficient feedback from the FPA for that item on the application. * indicates the date of a special event or information session |
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| February - 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 1-30 |
The updated Fulbright program applications for 2026-2027 will be published online on March 31. Then get started with researching individual countries and programs options. Select a country and program and meet with the FPA to discuss your ideas for the grant proposal. Then you should definitely start writing your Statement of Grant Purpose and Personal Statement. |
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| March 24* |
Fulbright Scholar Visit: Dr. Elira Turdubaeva We are hosting a Fulbright Scholar, a professor from Kyrgyzstan. Come to the special events throughout the day. |
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March 26* |
Fulbright Information Session 2: Email a description of your research ideas or your 1st draft of the Statement of Grant Purpose to the FPA before this meeting. Come to this information session or view the recommended videos/materials on writing the Statement of Grant Purpose and the Personal Statement. |
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| April 1-12 | 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. | |
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April 26
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First major deadline: Please submit your drafts of the Statement of Grant Purpose and the Personal Statement to the FPA at JLehtonen@campbellsville.edu | |
| April 30 | Draft a formal request to the host institution for a Letter of Affiliation and send it to the FPA for review | |
| April 30 | Email and request to meet personally with your potential recommenders to tell them about your Fulbright project. | |
| April 20 | Draft 3 brief emails to 3 separate potential recommenders. Use the guidelines provided by the FPA, and then submit the email drafts to the FPA at JLehtonen@campbellsville.edu | |
| April __ | ||
| May __ | Draft the 2st Draft of your Personal Statement and submit it to the FPA | |
| May __ | Send the request for a Letter of Affiliation to the desired affiliate institution (follow up in June) | |
| May 30 | Revise your Statement of Grant Purpose and submit it to the FPA | |
| June 20 | 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 | |
| June 30 | Request transcripts to be uploaded to your application | |
| July 10 | Send your application materials to your recommenders and make an official request for their recommendation letters. | |
| July 30 | Contact your foreign language evaluator for an appointment to evaluate you and fill out the Fulbright form | |
| August 10 | 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 the Fulbright interview with the FPA and Fulbright Scholar on campus. | |
| Sept. 15 | Submit a final draft of all components, and submit your materials on the official site. After this, the FPA will send in your full application. | |
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.