Banner
Banner

International Science and Technology Awards

Please note recruitment for the International Fulbright Science and Technology Programmme has been suspended for the 2013-2014 programme year.

If you are looking to pursue PhD study in the US, please apply through the All-Disciplines Postgraduate Award.

The Fulbright Awards Programme is the only organisation that offers scholarships for academic work in any subject, at any accredited US university. In this Award category, up tp 2 scholarships are offered each year to UK citizens to pursue PhD study in science and technology fields. Succesful candidates will work with the Fulbright Commission and the Institute of International Education (IIE) to identify and apply to the university departments which offer the best academic fit for them.

Read on for more information about the benefits of the Postgraduate Awards, eligibility and selection criteria, the application process and timeline. We also provide profiles of current and past scholars, as well as a list of FAQs, to help you learn more about the Fulbright Programme.

Please note: to pursue science and technology studies at Master's level, you should apply for a Fulbright Postgraduate Award.

Award Benefits

Fulbright Awards offer generous financial support for study in the US. However, Fulbright is much more than a scholarship – we offer scholars the opportunity to have a transformative cultural and academic experience and provide unrivaled support both during and after their Fulbright year.

 

This scholarship covers full tuition, associated fees and a living stipend for three years. Further funding is then provided by the host institution until the completion of PhD programme. Additionally round-trip airfare, book equipment, research and professional conference allowances are available, and a number of memberships, sickness and accident benefit coverage, and visa sponsorship are also included. There is substantial pre-departure support, including a Finalists Workshop (March) and a 3-day Orientation Programme (July). Once on-the-ground in the US, further support is offered by the Institute of International Education (IIE).

 

Unlike our other Award categories, where candidates apply to US universities on their own behalf, this Award includes a university application process. Fulbright and IIE specialists identify and apply to five courses on behalf of successful candidates. Fees associated with any required standardised tests and/or university application processing, is normally covered.

 

While a Fulbright Award is one year in length, the benefits do not end there. Receiving a Fulbright Award opens many doors and provides unparalleled global networking opportunities. Over 300,000 Fulbright Awards have been given since the Programme’s inception, and alumni have the opportunity to stay engaged through our extensive alumni networks, including the British Fulbright Scholar Association (BFSA). Alumni also remain connected to the Programme through ongoing social and cultural events, volunteer opportunities, mentoring schemes and much more.

Selection Criteria

The Fulbright Awards Programme is looking not only for academic excellence but: also:


Selection committees and the interview panels will also be looking for clear reasons for selecting your US university preferences. As a publicly-funded organisation, the Fulbright Awards Programme expects candidates to conduct a thorough university search and to identify institutions which provide cost-effective study opportunities and are a strong fit for their academic, personal and professional goals.

Minimum eligibility for this Award category:

*Non-UK citizens are encouraged to use our advisory service in the UK, but to apply for Fulbright scholarships through the office in their country of citizenship (see http://fulbright.state.gov/participating-countries.html). US nationals, those with dual US-UK citizenship and those resident in the US may not apply in this Award category.

Eligible fields include:

**While agriculture tends to be a fairly applied field of study, those wishing to pursue theoretical and research-based study in such areas as entomology, plant biology, plant pathology and soil science are eligible for this Award.

As our aim is to foster cultural understanding between the US and UK, some preference will be given to applicants who do not have extensive experience in the US (6 months). If this applies to you, we still encourage you to apply and explain in your application how further experience in the US will fulfil the Fulbright mission and not be a duplication of prior visits.

Please read the Terms and Conditions and FAQs for this Award before making an application. Awards are not available for peripatetic visits or attendance at conferences only, nor for projects based outside of the United States.

Applying

Please note recruitment for the International Fulbright Science and Technology Programmme has been suspended for the 2013-2014 programme year.

If you are looking to pursue PhD study in the US, please apply through the All-Disciplines Postgraduate Award.

Timeline

1 February - Competition opens, applications available
30 April - Application deadline
Early May - Applications evaluated in-country, short-list drawn up, short-listed candidates invited to interview
29 May - Interviews in London
June - Notification if nominated by the UK committee
June-August - US-based screening committees conduct discipline merit review
June-Sept - Finalists revise for standardised exams
September - Final selection meetings by US-based committees
October - Final notification, finalists book and sit standardised exams
October-Feb - US university application and placement process
mid-March - Fulbright Finalist’s Workshop in London
March-June - Fulbright and J1 visa paperwork
early July - Fulbright Pre-Departure Orientation
From mid-July - Independent departures, Your Fulbright Exchange begins!

Upon returning to the UK, candidates will be invited to participate in Fulbright alumni activities including our annual Returners’ Workshop as well as informal social events, soirees and other activities.

Follow FulbrightAwards on Twitter

Additional Information