About

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is designed to give recent bachelor’s graduates, master’s and doctoral candidates, young professionals, and artists opportunities for personal development and international experience. Projects may include English teaching assistantships, independent research, creative/artistic projects, university coursework or degree programs, training in a music conservatory or art school.

Eligibility

U.S. Citizens (no permanent residents); undergraduate juniors and seniors, graduate students, and alumni

Campus Deadline

August 29, 2024

Fulbright Applicants

All undergraduate, graduate students and alumni interested in applying:

  1. Make an appointment with UI Fulbright Program Advisor Karen Wachsmuth.  Please visit our application process page to fill out a Preliminary Application Form required to make an appointment.
  2. After meeting with Dr. Wachsmuth, you will be given access to the UI Fulbright ICON site, which is a comprehensive library of essential Fulbright resources for UI applicants only.

UI Campus Fulbright Program Advisor

Karen Wachsmuth

Karen Wachsmuth, DMA

Title/Position
Associate Director of International Fellowships
International Programs
Fulbright Program Advisor National Mentor, 2023-25
Fulbright IEA Grantee Japan, 2016
Fulbright U.S. Student Program Adviser and Scholar Liaison

Featured Resource

Fulbright-Website-1

Top seven tips for students with Fulbright aspirations

Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Having been named a Fulbright top producer for eight years, Iowa has no shortage of advice for prospective applicants. Here award winners and faculty mentors give application tips.

2024-2025 Fulbright Awardees

collage of 2024-2025 fulbright winners

Read more about this year's awardees

 

Fulbright Events

13th Annual Fulbright Intensive U.S. Student Program Workshop

Friday, January 31, 2025 9:30am to 11:30am
Virtual
Would you like to teach English, study, or do research or creative work abroad for an academic year at no cost to you (U.S. citizens only)? Join International Programs at the University of Iowa for the 13th Annual Fulbright Intensive U.S. Student Program Workshop.

Types of Grants

There are two main types of grants. You must choose one program and one host country during the Fulbright competition cycle. You must apply through UI International Programs.

Katarina at University of Phristina

English Teaching Assistantship (ETA) Award

The Fulbright ETA program places grantees in schools overseas to supplement local English language instruction and to provide a native speaker presence in the classrooms. Fulbright assigns grantees to a specific city/region and age-level. ETA grantees also conduct community engagement projects or activities in addition to classroom work.

Eligibility:U.S. Citizen (no permanent residents); Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) at beginning of funding period.

Duration:Varies by country; Ca. 8-10 months.

Rita Guzman wearing Iowa shirt in Portugal

Study/Research Grants (includes Arts Grants)

Applicants for Fulbright Study/Research grants can propose individual research projects and work with advisers at foreign universities or research institutions, apply for graduate degree programs in the host country, or propose creative/artistic projects and/or graduate research/coursework in the host country.

Eligibility: U.S. Citizen (no permanent residents); Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) at beginning of funding period.

Duration: Varies by country; around 10 months.

student smiling

"The writing process is your friend, not a chore... Don't be afraid to write any and all possible ideas out with every draft--the UI Fulbright team will help you find the ones that stick."

Other Resources

Presentation with General Information on Fulbright

Start with this basic Fulbright presentation. 

Contacting the UI Fulbright Program Advisor

For more information about applying for a Fulbright, please make an appointment with Dr. Karen Wachsmuth by completing and returning the Preliminary Application Form to ip-grants@uiowa.edu. After meeting with Karen, Fulbright applications will be invited to join the Fulbright ICON site to access further application and writing resources.

Incentive Funding for Graduate Students

The Graduate College offers a stipend incentive for currently enrolled UI graduate students to apply for approved nationally competitive grants and fellowships after receiving feedback from faculty and fellowships advisors. 

UI Fulbright Faculty Mentors

UI Fulbright faculty mentors are available to help undergraduate and graduate students with their Fulbright applications.  They are available to assist applicants with preliminary ideas, connect them with contacts both here and abroad, and read drafts of essays.  Download this faculty mentors document for more information.

Fulbright Video Tutorials

See these Fulbright video tutorials for more information.

Specifics for Creative and Performing Arts Grants

Required Supplementary Materials for Arts Applicants

(Please see the above link for the list of creative fields available)

Applications in the Creative and Performing Arts require the submission of supplementary materials (work samples) in support of the written application. Portfolios must be uploaded into the application by the campus deadline.

Applicants to Germany are required to submit additional materials. The specifications can be found on the Additional Materials For Music And Arts For Germany page.

Fulbright News

Dawn Thomas teaching students in Spain

13th Annual Fulbright Intensive U.S. Student Program Workshop to be held January 31

Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Hear from current Fulbright recipients and get guidance from university faculty and staff on the application process for teaching, research, and study opportunities abroad. Open to juniors, seniors, graduate students, and alumni, the workshop aims to support UI students and alumni in securing this prestigious award, with past UI recipients recognized globally for their contributions.
Megan Lederman with a group in Vietnam dressed in traditional dress

Fulbright U.S. Student Program: Learn more at this interactive presentation session

Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Join the virtual Fulbright Group Presentation Session on Tuesday, November 19 to explore funded Fulbright opportunities for U.S. citizens interested in pursuing graduate or professional study, research, or English teaching abroad. This interactive session will cover various Fulbright awards, application steps, and offer guidance from Fulbright Program Advisers.
Dawn Thomas teaching students in Spain

Fulbright recipient Dawn Thomas reflects on her impactful work teaching English and art in Spain

Thursday, June 13, 2024
Dawn Thomas (MAT secondary English education ‘23) was awarded a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship for 2023-24. Originally set to embark on her teaching journey in Israel, unforeseen circumstances led to the cancellation of her assignment. She is now serving as an English language assistant and English art assistant for students ranging from 3 years old through those in sixth grade, who speak Spanish and Gallego, in Galicia, Spain.