Helpful Resources
Application Timeline
Prepare Application (project design, references, personal story, affiliation letter, etc)
Campus Deadline Campus Interview Resubmit Final Application IIE Application Deadline National Screening Committees Commissions/Embassies; Foreign Scholarship Board 1st Round Selection Notices Final Notification |
April - September
September/October Mid September Late September/Early October Early October November - December January - May Late January March - June |
Application Components
- Biographical Information (5 pages)
- Statement of Grant Purpose (2 pages)
- Personal Statement (1 page)
- Reference Letters (3 letters)
- Affiliation Letter from Host Institution (2 pages)
- Academic Transcripts (2+ pages)
Most Common Questions
How much time did you spend preparing your application?
Honestly, I spent about 6-7 months on this application. This time includes reading, writing, editing, emailing, traveling to my host country, seeking affiliation contacts, interviews, attending on-campus informational sessions, gathering successful application examples, and keeping in contact with my campus Fulbright Program Advisor.
How did you obtain your affiliation letter?
I sent cold emails to quite a number of South African university contacts that never really materialized to anything. I began to search for botanist and biologist with specializations in ecological and evolutionary processes throughout the Cape Florist Region or in fynbos habitats. This turned up more names, but they were affiliated with 'well-prescribed' universities, like University of Cape Town and Stellenbosch University. In my country's description (you must thoroughly read through all resources on the website), it noted that the program was looking for "...countrywide distribution of grants. Priority consideration will be given to proposals involving affiliation with previously disadvantaged host institutions and to those seeking affiliations beyond heavily subscribe institutions." So, I continued to search for affiliations outside of the more common universities and found a professor who did his dissertation research on the genus of flowering plants that I am working on now. I sent a cold email and he replied!! I set up a meeting with him to discuss my proposed research for the Fulbright grant and we decided to collaborate on the spot. A few weeks later, I sent my finalized proposal, personal statement, CV, and an outline of what a Fulbright affiliation letter should entail.
How did you choose your proposal project? (Also explains my host country choice)
I am a Ph.D. candidate and everything revolves around my focal plant genus, Pelargonium, which is indigenous to South Africa. I am trying to understand the impacts of climate change on several Pelargonium species throughout the Cape Floristic Region. Aside from not choosing a heavily prescribed to university, I also think my expression that I needed to be in South Africa to conduct research was made very clear.
How important is your GPA?
I submitted my Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral transcripts to the Fulbright office. I cannot say, for sure, what the deciding factors are, but I do know that other components of your application weight more (just trust me). Having a well thought out and passionate proposal and personal statement, plus a strong affiliation letter and recommendations weight more than your GPA.
Where did you find application examples?
I goggled 'Fulbright examples' and many universities have old applications online. I also contacted my Fulbright Program Advisor who put me in contact with a Fulbright Alumni Ambassador. By chance, this alumni had studied in South Africa and he shared his application. Always ask, all anyone can do is say no....or they just might say yes!
Honestly, I spent about 6-7 months on this application. This time includes reading, writing, editing, emailing, traveling to my host country, seeking affiliation contacts, interviews, attending on-campus informational sessions, gathering successful application examples, and keeping in contact with my campus Fulbright Program Advisor.
How did you obtain your affiliation letter?
I sent cold emails to quite a number of South African university contacts that never really materialized to anything. I began to search for botanist and biologist with specializations in ecological and evolutionary processes throughout the Cape Florist Region or in fynbos habitats. This turned up more names, but they were affiliated with 'well-prescribed' universities, like University of Cape Town and Stellenbosch University. In my country's description (you must thoroughly read through all resources on the website), it noted that the program was looking for "...countrywide distribution of grants. Priority consideration will be given to proposals involving affiliation with previously disadvantaged host institutions and to those seeking affiliations beyond heavily subscribe institutions." So, I continued to search for affiliations outside of the more common universities and found a professor who did his dissertation research on the genus of flowering plants that I am working on now. I sent a cold email and he replied!! I set up a meeting with him to discuss my proposed research for the Fulbright grant and we decided to collaborate on the spot. A few weeks later, I sent my finalized proposal, personal statement, CV, and an outline of what a Fulbright affiliation letter should entail.
How did you choose your proposal project? (Also explains my host country choice)
I am a Ph.D. candidate and everything revolves around my focal plant genus, Pelargonium, which is indigenous to South Africa. I am trying to understand the impacts of climate change on several Pelargonium species throughout the Cape Floristic Region. Aside from not choosing a heavily prescribed to university, I also think my expression that I needed to be in South Africa to conduct research was made very clear.
How important is your GPA?
I submitted my Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral transcripts to the Fulbright office. I cannot say, for sure, what the deciding factors are, but I do know that other components of your application weight more (just trust me). Having a well thought out and passionate proposal and personal statement, plus a strong affiliation letter and recommendations weight more than your GPA.
Where did you find application examples?
I goggled 'Fulbright examples' and many universities have old applications online. I also contacted my Fulbright Program Advisor who put me in contact with a Fulbright Alumni Ambassador. By chance, this alumni had studied in South Africa and he shared his application. Always ask, all anyone can do is say no....or they just might say yes!
Tips on how to write a compelling personal statement and grant proposal can be found here.