Student Grants

February-April

Applicants should attend an on-campus informational session or workshop to learn more about the program and the application process. If you are planning to apply for a research award, you should begin contacting potential in-country affiliations now.

April

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program online application opens.

May-July

Begin work on application materials. Emily Wright, Fulbright Program Adviser and senior associate director of the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards, will provide assistance on materials throughout the summer. In-person, email, or phone appointments are available. Applicants should set deadlines for themselves throughout the summer to work incrementally on the application. Applicants should also identify three recommenders in May and have an initial conversation with them about writing a recommendation letter (Study/Research) or recommendation form (ETA).

August

Make final edits on application materials.

September

Applicants going through the campus process should have all materials, including recommendations and affiliation letters (if necessary), by the campus deadline of Tuesday, September 12th, 2023.

In mid- to late-September, applicants will participate in an on-campus interview. The interview panel, comprised of faculty, staff, and Fulbright Program alumni, will offer feedback on the written application materials.

October

Applicants should submit all materials by 4 p.m. CT on Tuesday, October 10, 2023

What is the benefit of applying through the campus process (as opposed to at-large)?

Students and alumni applying through the campus process will participate in an on-campus interview in which faculty, staff, and Fulbright alumni will offer feedback on bettering the written application materials. After the interview, the committee will generate a campus evaluation form, which serves as a summation of the interview and functions like an additional letter of recommendation. Both the interview and the campus evaluation form help strengthen the total application.

What campus support do I have access to while applying?

Emily Wright, Fulbright Program Adviser and senior associate director of the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards, is available to help you throughout the application process. To schedule an in-person, email, or phone/Skype appointment with her, please email evoight@uark.edu or call 479-575-8673.

Is it common for students to apply in more than one application cycle?

Yes! Applicants who do not receive an award are certainly encouraged to apply again.

Can I apply to multiple countries in the same year? Can I apply to both an ETA and a study/research in the same year?

No. Applicants can only submit one application per cycle, so choosing an award type and a country is very important.

Do I need to have a complete application (including recommendations) submitted by the campus deadline?

Yes. If our campus committee does not have a complete application (including recommendations) by the campus interview, then they are unable to evaluate the candidate to the fullest. This may result in a weaker recommendation for the applicant.

What is the campus interview like?

The campus interview typically lasts around 30 minutes, and interview panels are usually between 3-6 people. Panelists are university faculty and staff, and some panelists are alumni of either the Fulbright Student or Scholar Program. In a typical interview, roughly 10-15 minutes will consist of questions about you and your application, and the rest of the time is focused on giving specific feedback for areas of improvement in the written application materials.

What can I do to prepare for the campus interview?

The best thing that you can do to prepare for your interview is to re-read your application! Be ready to explain why you have chosen your specific award and host country, as well as talk about your future plans and what the Fulbright U.S. Student Program would mean for them. You should plan to wear business casual or business attire, and you should bring something to take notes with.

Does the campus committee decide if I am allowed to apply at the national level?

No. The campus panel will indicate on your evaluation form whether you are "recommended" or "not recommended." However, all applications that are submitted by the national deadline will be read by a national screening committee, regardless of the recommendation status indicated by the campus committee.

Is there a limit to the number of University of Arkansas students and alumni who can apply in one application cycle?

No! We are not limited to a number of total applicants or a number of applicants to a particular country in an application cycle.

Can I revise my application after the interview?

Yes! The campus committee will offer you feedback throughout the interview, so you should take their suggestions into consideration as you finalize your application materials for the national deadline. Do remember that you must re-submit your application in time for the national deadline.

When will I find out if I have received a Fulbright award?

Applications go through two review periods. First, in November and December, national screening committees meet around the country to select semi-finalists. These applications are forwarded to the host countries for review. Applicants will receive notification in mid-January stating whether or not they are semi-finalists.

Between February and April, semi-finalist applications are read in the host country. Semi-finalists should receive notification by the end of April if they are selected as a Finalist, designated as an Alternate, or Non-Selected.