The Fulbright Program offers outstanding funding for higher education abroad to nationals of the United States. By the end of this post, you should have a much clearer picture of whether or not the Fulbright is a good fit for you, as we’ve included every last detail concerning the long list of eligibility, application, and proposal requirements.
Note from the editor: If you don’t qualify, don’t fret! There are tens of thousands of scholarships and other opportunities available every year all across the world.
What is a Fulbright Scholarship?
The Fulbright program began in 1946 intending to increase the mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. It is sponsored by the Department of State of the United States of America and is administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE).The initiative, which is currently being carried out in more than 155 nations all over the world, gives out 1,700 grants each year to support a variety of research and teaching opportunities in other country.
Which Fulbright Countries Are the Most Competitive?
The United Kingdom is the most competitive Fulbright country. The United Kingdom receives the most applications (842), almost three times more than Germany (298), the next runner-up.
Other popular countries include France, India, Italy, Mexico, China, Spain, Australia and South Africa, with an average of 105 to 200 registrations.
Also, Read: All You Need To Know About Fulbright Scholarship Program
Which Fulbright Countries Are Least Competitive?
Candidates are forever interested in knowing which countries are the least competitive. On average, more than 23 countries receive fewer than five requests yearly.
Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Tuvalu, small island countries in the South Pacific, receive an average of just one application per year. Knowledge of a local language is recommended but not required in these locations. Also, at these locations, only research projects are accepted; enrollment in a graduate degree is not possible.
Niger, Lesotho, and Ivory Coast receive an average of only two applications per year. Niger in West Africa requires advanced knowledge of French. A research project in Lesotho, Southern Africa, can be conducted in English (fluent knowledge of Sesotho can be helpful but is not required).
Côte d’Ivoire (also known as Ivory Coast) requires candidates to have a Ph.D. and intermediate proficiency in French. Candidates may propose to conduct research in Teaching English as a Foreign Language, Medical Science, Life Sciences, and French Studies, among others.
Other countries with fewer than five requests per year are Vanuatu, Togo, Congo, Kuwait, Slovak Republic, Swaziland, and Uzbekistan.
It is important to note that these countries do not necessarily award Fulbright scholarships yearly. The Fulbright Commission advises that scholarship awards are based on the quality of the application.
Also, Read:
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Top 10 Schools for Fulbright Scholarship
Listed below is the list of the top 10 schools that have produced the most Fulbright scholars.
1. Harvard University
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Awarded Grants since 2011–2012: 311 (No. 1 in Massachusetts)
Awarded Grants since 2021–2022: 26 (25.5% acceptance rate)
Enrolled Undergraduates: 8,527
Enrolled Graduates: 21,864
Although Harvard University has the most Fulbright winners, it often ranks second to other Ivy League universities such as Brown, Princeton, and Yale in terms of awards won in a single year.
However, its overall ranking is not a problem for the oldest college in the country, with many Harvard students turning down their Fulbright offers for more prestigious scholarships and fellowship offers.
2. Brown University
Location: Providence, Rhode Island
Awarded Grants since 2011–2012: 301 (No.1 in Rhode Island)
Awarded Grants since 2021–2022: 29 (16.6% acceptance rate)
Enrolled Undergraduates: 6,792
Enrolled Graduates: 3,156
In 2021, Brown University received the title of the top producer of Fulbright scholars from Georgetown University. The achievement marked the fourth time the university had won first place.
In 2021-2022 it sent affiliated individuals everywhere from Trinidad and Tobago to Uzbekistan.
3. University of Chicago
Location: Chicago
Awarded Grants since 2011–2012: 270 (No.1 in Illinois)
Awarded Grants since 2021–2022: 18 (24.0% acceptance rate)
Enrolled Undergraduates: 7,056
Enrolled Graduates: 10,778
4. Georgetown University
Location: Washington D.C.
Awarded Grants since 2011–2012: 264 (No. 1 in District of Columbia)
Awarded Grants since 2021–2022: 26 (15.9% acceptance rate)
Enrolled Undergraduates: 7,357
Enrolled Graduates: 12,014
From 2019 to 2021, Georgetown University produced more Fulbright winners than any other educational institution in the United States.
Since its birth, nearly 500 of Georgetown’s graduate students and alumni have won the award.
5. Princeton University
Location: Princeton, New Jersey
Awarded Grants since 2011–2012: 257 (No. 1 in New Jersey)
Awarded Grants since 2021–2022: 22 (17.3% acceptance rate)
Enrolled Undergraduates: 4,774
Enrolled Graduates: 3,079
The Princeton Office of International Programs Fellowship Advising Unit helps its students navigate the Fulbright competition.
Ruth Simmons, a 1967 Fulbright scholar, was, among other things, the first black American woman to become a university head and the first black president of an Ivy League university.
Throughout her career, Simmons held various positions at Princeton beginning in 1983, including Vice provost.
6. Northwestern University
Location: Evanston, Illinois
Awarded Grants since 2011–2012: 255 (No. 2 in Illinois)
Awarded Grants since 2021–2022: 17 (15% acceptance rate)
Enrolled Undergraduates: 8,559
Enrolled Graduates: 14,044
The Fellowships Office is responsible for administering the university’s Fulbright program at Northwestern University.
Since 2005, Northwestern University has been one of the top Fulbright-winning universities, sending students and alumni to do everything from documenting Syrian refugee stories in Germany to collecting stories on climate resilience in Taiwan.
7. Yale University
Location: New Haven, Connecticut
Awarded Grants since 2011–2012: 237 (No.1 in Connecticut)
Awarded Grants since 2021–2022: 21 (23.1% acceptance rate)
Enrolled Undergraduates: 4,703
Enrolled Graduates: 7,357
An impressive 100 Yale students won Fulbright scholarships in the five years between 2016 and 2021.
The school’s success in helping people secure their scholarships has led to an increase in the number of applications (between 2020 and 2021, the number increased by 40%) and an improvement in the institution’s application support and mentoring programs.
8. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Awarded Grants since 2011–2012: 223 (No. 1 in Michigan)
Awarded Grants since 2021–2022: 18 (17.6% acceptance rate)
Enrolled Undergraduates: 31,329
Enrolled Graduates: 16,578
In the list of the top 10 Fulbright-winning schools, almost all are private institutions. The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is the only exception.
The number of scholarships awarded to the university in the 2021-2022 academic year is extraordinarily high. Still, it is even more impressive when considering the disparity in factors such as funding.
9. University of Notre Dame
Location: Notre Dame, Indiana
Awarded Grants since 2011–2012: 201 (No. 1 in Indiana)
Awarded Grants since 2021–2022: 26 (23.9% acceptance rate)
Enrolled Undergraduates: 8,874
Enrolled Graduates: 3,935
As of 2022, the University of Notre Dame has been on the list of schools that produce the most Fulbright Scholars for eight years.
For the 2021-2022 school year, Notre Dame had the second most Fulbright recipients of any research institution and second overall for students and alumni receiving scholarships.
These highly qualified individuals have done everything from teaching English in Slovakia to researching in Germany.
10. University of Pennsylvania
Location: Philadelphia
Awarded Grants since 2011–2012: 200 (No. 1 in Pennsylvania)
Awarded Grants since 2021–2022: 19 (15.1% acceptance rate)
Enrolled Undergraduates: 11,155
Enrolled Graduates: 15,397
Fulbright applicants from the University of Pennsylvania spend approximately five months on their applications, from initial briefing to final submission.
The intensive process includes several beneficial aspects, including the opportunity to have essay drafts reviewed and feedback sessions on application materials with industry professionals.
The hard work is paying off for many willing to follow the process.
What Are The Odds Of Getting A Fulbright Scholarship?
As you can imagine, the US Fulbright student program welcomes thousands of applicants each year. And in general, only about 20% of applicants will win a Fulbright award.
This may make you hesitant to apply. But you shouldn’t doubt yourself and apply even if you think you won’t have a perfect application!
Who are Some Famous Fulbright Scholars?
Fulbright alumni have earned distinction in science, government, business, arts, philanthropy, athletics, and education.
- Fifty-three Fulbright alumni from 13 countries have been honored with the Nobel Prize awarded
- Twenty Nine alumni are MacArthur Foundation Fellows
- Eighty alumni have received Pulitzer Prizes
- Thirty Fulbright alumni have been heads of government or state
Some Prominent Fulbright alumni include:
- Gary Conille: Ex Haiti Prime Minister
- Amar Bose: Bose Corporation founder
- Riccardo Giacconi: 2002 Nobel Laureate and a physicist
- Juan Manuel Santos: Colombia President
- Muhammad Yunus: 2006 Nobel Peace Prize recipient and founder, Grameen Bank
- Daniel Libeskind: Architect
- John Franklin, Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient and a notable American historian
- Renée Fleming: soprano