Fulbright Scholar Program

Deadline: Monday, September 15, 2025

The traditional Fulbright Scholar Program sends more than 800 U.S. faculty and professionals abroad each year. Awardees lecture and conduct research in a wide variety of academic and professional fields. Applications for program participation must be submitted online by September 15 at 4:00 p.m. (CT).

Because of the variation in duration and financial support, applicants should work closely with their department chair and dean’s office to develop a plan that fits their particular situation.

Leave and Compensation Matters

Fulbright Core Scholar Awards typically will require a leave from the UI during the academic year, so faculty need to discuss their leave, teaching responsibilities, and compensation matters with their DEO and College.  

Faculty members in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, who are interested in the CLAS stipend supplement, should reach out to their DEO and the associate deans to discuss individual eligibility for the CLAS stipend supplement. Also, feel free to contact Ann Knudson if you have questions about the stipend or want assistance with the CLAS stipend supplement application.

Fulbright Specialist Program

Deadline: Rolling

The Fulbright Specialist Program is designed to provide short-term academic opportunities (2 to 6 weeks) for U.S. faculty and professionals. These shorter grant lengths give specialists greater flexibility to pursue a grant that works best with their current academic or professional commitments. Applications for the Fulbright Specialist Program are accepted on a rolling basis, and peer reviews of applications are conducted eight times per year. Applicants apply throughout the calendar year to obtain candidacy on the Fulbright Specialist Roster. The Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES) builds lists of qualified Specialist candidates for each eligible discipline and matches Senior Specialist candidates with project requests. Applicants who are recommended by specialist peer review committees and approved by the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board become candidates for Fulbright Senior Specialist projects.

Visit the Fulbright Specialist Program website to learn more about eligible disciplines and to obtain an application.