The Australian-American Fulbright Commission offers Scholarships to Australian citizens across all career stages. Awardees take part in a bi-lateral academic and cultural exchange, pursuing research or study at a U.S. institution, experiencing life in the United States of America, and bringing back their knowledge and experience to share with their communities in Australia.

A Fulbright award is more than a Scholarship – it is, in the words of Senator Fulbright, a means of fostering “leadership, learning, and empathy between cultures… It is a modest program with an immodest aim – the achievement in international affairs of a regime more civilised, rational and humane than the empty system of power of the past.”

Fulbright Qualities

Australian Fulbright Scholarship recipients are interviewed and selected by panels of experts from academia, government, professional organisations and the U.S. Embassy. The panels are looking for the following attributes:

High academic and professional merit
Fulbrighters have a record of high achievement in their chosen field, showcased through academic records, professional standing and recognition, as well as a through publications, exhibitions, performances, public lectures, or presentations.

Strong program proposal
Successful applicants propose a program that is feasible within the allocated time and is relevant / beneficial to their chosen field. Program proposals should identify:

• An educational component of study and/or research;
• Clearly defined goals to be achieved as part of the proposed research, and the unique role of the United States and its institutions in achieving these goals;
• The relevance and value of the proposed program in furthering mutual understanding and institutional partnerships / collaboration between the United States and Australia;
• A clear and specific plan to achieve the proposed program.

Defined potential outcomes
Further to the above, the proposed program proposal should:

• Define the potential benefits to the applicant’s institution, profession, employer and/or industry;
• Outline how results and/or outcomes will be disseminated;
• Outline the long-term linkages and collaborations that may be established at a personal, industry, academic and professional level.

Ambassadorial skills
The Fulbright program is unique in its exchange nature and ambassadorial emphasis – Fulbrighters are chosen on their ability to promote mutual understanding between Australia and the United States. Successful candidates also demonstrate their willingness to share their knowledge on return, and to productively build ongoing partnerships and linkages.

For examples of current and past awardees and their Fulbright supported projects, please visit ourCurrent Scholar andAlumni pages.

Which Fulbright is right for me?

The Australian-American Fulbright Commission offers scholarship opportunities to Australian citizens across various academic and career stages. Click on the links below to access information for each category; including opportunities available.

Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarships allow postgraduate students undertaking their Australian PhD to conduct research in the U.S. for 3-10 months

or

Supports enrolment in a graduate degree program (e.g. a Master’s) for 10 months up to two-years.

Fulbright Postdoctoral scholarships allow individuals to undertake postdoctoral research in the U.S. for 3 – 10 months, who have completed their PhD in the past 5 years. Fulbright Scholar Awards are for academics (at Associate Professor or Professorial level) and mid-career professionals (with an undergraduate qualification and minimum 10 years work experience) to undertake research and/or training in the United States for 3-4 months in any discipline. The Fulbright Distinguished Chair award is for an exceptional individual at professorial level to carry out research in the United States for up to 6 months. 

Eligibility and Conditions

To qualify for a Fulbright scholarship through the Australian-American Fulbright Commission, you must meet and/or be aware of the following requirements:

Citizenship

• Are an Australian citizen (by birth or naturalisation)
• Do not hold dual US-Australian citizenship or U.S. permanent residency (Green Card)
• Be a resident in Australia at the time of application (exceptions: applicants serving overseas in the Armed Forces, Australian diplomats posted overseas)

Visas

• Fulbright Scholars must travel on a valid Australian passport
• Fulbright scholarships are contingent upon the candidate’s ability to secure and travel to the U.S. on an Exchange Visitor non-immigrant visa (J-1 visa) (administered by Commission) inclusive of medical clearance and security processes.
• The J-1 visa carries a 2 year home-residency requirement (clause 212e), meaning recipients must return to Australia for a cumulative total of two years at the end of their program before becoming eligible to apply to live/work in the United States. Clause 212e is in keeping with the exchange nature of the Fulbright program and encourages recipients to return to Australia to share their knowledge and experiences. J1 recipients will not be prohibited from travelling to the U.S. for short-term visits on the visa waiver program, or on a non-immigrant visa. Clause 212e does not prohibit scholars from gaining residency or work visas in other countries (e.g. the United Kingdom).

Previous J-1 Visas/Programs

If you have previously held a J-1 visa and subsequent DS-2019, please upload it with your application. Please be aware that if clause 212e or the 24-month bar is in effect from a previous J-1, you will be unable to accept the Fulbright award, should it be offered to you, within the 24-month/212e period. Scholarships cannot be deferred until the 24-month/212e period has passed.

Engagement

• Not have already commenced studies/ research in the U.S.
• Be prepared to commence your program in the following financial year (e.g. apply in 2018 to commence program between July 1st 2019-June 30th 2020).
• Secure placement with a primary U.S. host institution (please note, this is not a requirement at the time of application for Postgraduate students). Scholarships are conditional on acceptance to an approved institution for a period of research or course of study.
• Not hold another grant during your Fulbright program if it duplicates funding received from Fulbright during the scholarship period. Funding and grants must be declared at the time of application and/or award acceptance and are subject to approval.
• Fulbright scholarships cannot be deferred.
• Medical professionals can apply for a Fulbright Scholarship to undertake medical research, but such research should not be directly involved with clinical practice.
• Recipients must be in Australia to attend the Fulbright Orientation Program and Gala Presentation Dinner, which runs late February/ early March annually.

Qualifications

• Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree or equivalent at the time of application. Postgraduate applicants in the final semester of their degrees will also be eligible (pending good academic standing). Postdoctoral candidates will also be considered if they can provide a letter from their adviser that outlines the PhD will be conferred prior to July 1 2019. 
• For undergraduate students yet to graduate – please upload a university transcript of your academic performance to date showing your credit points obtained. Please note this must be accompanied by a signed letter from your university stating you are on track to graduate in the year of application.
• Postgraduate and Anne Wexler applicants may be required to pass GRE testing, dependent on host institution requirements. Successful applicants will be provided with a voucher to cover the costs of testing.
• Applicants whose primary language is not English may be required to provide language proficiency test results at the time of application.

Previous Fulbrighters

Preference will be given to candidates who have not had previous Fulbright grants. However, recipients of a Fulbright grant are eligible to receive another Fulbright grant five years after the date of completion of the previous grant.  (FSB Guidelines 725.2)

Extra information for Postgraduate Applicants can be viewed Here
Apply Now

• Prior to applying, we strongly encourage applicants to read the Eligibility & Conditions section of this applicant’s page, and the FAQs
• Applications must be completed and submitted via an online portal. Applications emailed or posted to the Commission cannot be considered.
• To discuss your application aspirations with someone in your area, please consider reaching out to our Campus Advisers .
• Download the Australian Applicant checklist  to include with your application.

Postgraduate Applicants:
Clickhere to check your eligibility, then download the2018-19 Student instructions  to complete your application

OR

Postdoctoral, Professional, Scholar Award and Distinguished Chair Applicants:
 Clickhere to check your eligibility, then download the 2018-19 Scholar instructions  to complete your application
Application Timeline
Applications Open February 1
Applications Close July 15 at 11:59pm (AEST)
Applications are reviewed by Selection Committees and selected applications progress to interview
Interviews  August – October
Applicants notified of outcome December 1
Formal awarding of successful applicants at Gala Presentation Dinner (awardee attendance compulsory) February/March the following year
The Interview Schedule will be posted here in early 2018. 

All applicants must be available for interview, either in person or via Skype dependent upon location and scheduling.

Interview FAQs

What happens to my application after submission?

Your application will be reviewed for eligibility per the checklist at the bottom of the application instructions. Eligible applications are then reviewed by discipline-based committees to decide whether your application will proceed to interview.

Who is on the interview panel?

The interview panels are composed of Australian and American experts in a variety of fields of study with a sound understanding of the Australian Fulbright Program’s ethos and goals.

Does the Fulbright Program provide any orientation for grantees before leaving for the U.S.?

Yes, an annual (late February/early March) pre-departure orientation is held in Canberra for all awardees.