Fulbright Opportunities for Students
As the Fulbright Program Adviser for students at UNI, my role is to provide information about Fulbright awards as well as assist them with information for their applications. I also write an additional endorsement letter that is attached to the student’s application and submitted to the review committee.
One of the most important parts of understanding Fulbright applications is awareness of deadlines. Awards often come out in late spring for the following year. For example, the awards for the 2026-2027 cycle were visible to search during the spring of 2025 and applications were due October 7, 2025. Students who write their Fulbright application during their junior summer may be well positioned to submit their Fulbright application during October of their senior year, with selected individuals beginning their experiences in August or September of the following year. Students must have completed their bachelor’s degree before starting a Fulbright.
Students are often notified in December if they have been selected as a finalist for their Fulbright Award. This means that their application has been reviewed by reviewers in the U.S. and deemed to be high quality enough to move on for the host country to review it. Students then generally hear in late spring (often April) if they have been selected for a Fulbright award. Then, students spent the next year living in another country working on their Fulbright project/assignment/placement.
These awards include opportunities to start a master’s or doctoral program while conducting research with a faculty member.
An affiliation letter from a university/faculty member is often required for these awards. Obtaining an affiliation letter can sometimes take a while, therefore starting this process in May or the summer is advisable. Professors at UNI may be a good place to start, helping to connect students with colleagues or contacts they have abroad who may be willing to write an affiliation letter.
Students receiving these awards are placed in a school setting to provide English language instruction to students in primary or secondary school settings. Depending on the country, there may be a requirement of language proficiency.
There are also two types of special programs that may be appealing to students, including Fulbright-Fogarty Fellowships in Public Health and Fulbright National Geographic Program.
Application Components
A helpful checklist of application components can be found on the Fulbright U.S. Student Program site. These requirements change very little (if at all) from year to year. Therefore, students can begin working on their essays and application components well in advance of the deadline. Students are required to include a Statement of Grant Purpose that outlines their project/Fulbright experience, complete responses to how their project fulfills the Fulbright mission and submit the contact information for three professional references who will receive a link to submit a recommendation letter.
While students may have an idea in their head about how to approach their application, I highly encourage individuals to start writing their application as soon as possible. That way they have plenty of time to receive feedback and improve their likelihood of receiving an award. A general guideline is to have at least three different individuals look at it. As the UNI Fulbright Adviser, I am happy to provide feedback and encourage the student to send it to at least two other staff or faculty members. It can be especially helpful for faculty/staff from different disciplines to read the application to make sure that it is free from jargon and is as clear and concise as possible.
Choosing a Country
Think carefully about what country you are most suited to and can write the most compelling application for. While some students may want to consider statistics and likelihood of receiving a specific award within a country, I think the most important factor is writing a strong application. Statistics about program application and funding from the last few years can be found here.
Apply!
As a faculty member, I received a Fulbright Scholar award to Ireland in 2022. This was one of the most incredible opportunities I have ever experienced and created so many opportunities for me. I look forward to talking with UNI students about what award they might be most suited for and help them submit a compelling application.
By Melinda Heinz, Assistant Professor of Gerontology, University of Northern Iowa
Fulbright Program Adviser