SDSU Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Applications for the 2026-2027 Award Cycle are anticipated to open in April 2026.
Connecting People. Connecting Nations.
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program was established in 1946 to "enable the government of the United States to increase mutual understanding between people of the United States and other countries." It pursues this goal through the international exchange of students, scholars, and professionals. Opportunities are given to undertake graduate study, advanced research, university teaching, and teaching English in elementary and secondary schools worldwide.
Since 2005, over 100 SDSU students have received U.S. Fulbright grants.
Current students and recent alumni can apply through SDSU. To learn more, attend an SDSU info session in the spring semester. General information about the various grant options and selection criteria is available at the Fulbright U.S. Student Program website.
- Be a U.S. citizen at the time of application
- Undergraduate students must hold a bachelor degree by August 2027
- Graduate students at any stage are eligible to apply
- Recent graduates may also apply through SDSU
Important dates for the Competition Cycle (Grant Year 2027–2028)
- Spring 2026 Attend an information session
- Early April 2026 Applications open
- Spring and Summer 2026 Work on application with feedback from Fulbright U.S. Program Advisor
- August 4, 2026, 2:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) SDSU Fulbright Program Advisor Deadline, mandatory for all current students and recent graduates applying through SDSU
- August 18, 2026, 2:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) SDSU Campus Deadline, mandatory for all current students and recent graduates applying through SDSU
- August 31 - September 11, 2026 Campus interviews
- October 6 or 13, 2026 (TBA), 2:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) National Deadline, No exceptions
- January 2027 Semi-finalists are announced by the National Selection Committees
- April–May 2027 Finalists are selected by the country committees
- August 2027 Most grants begin
- Visit the Fulbright U.S. Student Program website
- Attend an SDSU information session in person or via Zoom
- Review the resources tab
- Meet with an SDSU Fulbright Program Advisor and have your application reviewed
- Submit your online application by the SDSU FPA and Campus deadlines
- Attend your campus interview with SDSU faculty members
- Submit your final application to Fulbright by the national deadline
Fall 2025, Spring 2026, Summer 2026 Information Sessions
INQUIRY LIST + INFO SESSION RSVP
Learn more about what the program entails and how to navigate the Fulbright website to search for specific awards. Sessions last approximately one hour.
- Monday, December 15, 2025, 1:30 p.m. (virtual)
- Tuesday, February 17, 2026, 10:00 a.m. (virtual)
- Thursday, March 26, 2026, 10:30 a.m. (virtual)
- Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 11:00 a.m. (virtual)
- Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 10:00 a.m. (virtual)
- Friday, June 12, 2026 11:00 a.m. (virtual)
General
- Fulbright Deadlines and Components
- Application Components & Checklists
- Writing Workshop Powerpoint - Essay Tips!
- Examples of Abstracts
- Examples of Host Country Engagement
- Examples of Personal Statement
English Teaching Assistant (ETA)
Study/Research Grants
Professor Emerita of Japanese, Director of AASCU/SDSU Japan Studies Institute
Advisor, Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Faculty and Staff
Do you know a future Fulbrighter? Are you interested in serving on the campus review committee or conducting foreign language evaluations? Your expertise and support is invaluable in guiding these students through the rigorous application process.
“My biggest advice for those applying is to begin early. I don't even know how many drafts I wrote.”