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Fulbright US Student Program: Open Study & Research Awards

Open Study/Research Awards are available in nearly 150 countries and provide funding for recent college graduates and graduate students to conduct research or do coursework overseas. Some students applying for study or research awards design their own projects, usually in coordination with advisors at universities or other institutions of higher education abroad. Others may join ongoing projects in labs or other institutions overseas, working on an aspect of a study already underway. These awards are administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE) and funded by the US Department of State.

Competition opens: April 2, 2024
MSU deadline: September 1, 2024
National application deadline: October 8, 2024

Applicant Support

  • MSU's Fulbright Program Advisor is available to assist applicants with brainstorming, learning more about the programs, developing a competitive application, and making sure all application components are completed. The advisor also works with applicants to schedule required campus interviews in the fall. Applications are completed online by students and submitted to the advisor, who then approves them for submission to IIE.
  • Applicants should work closely with their academic advisors and professors to brainstorm and refine their project ideas.

Eligibility 

  • Applicant must be a US citizen or national at the time of application.
  • Applicant must hold a Bachelor's degree or equivalent by the start of the grant.
  • Applicant must NOT hold a doctorate by the application deadline.
  • Applicant must demonstrate sufficient language proficiency to complete their project and adapt to living in the host country. Note that not all countries have a language requirement.
  • More information about eligibility and disqualifying factors can be found on the eligibility page of the IIE website.

Benefits

  • Tangible: Round trip international airfare, maintenance allowance based on living costs in the host country, supplemental health and accident coverage, tuition (in some cases), allowances for books and research materials, and language or orientation courses where appropriate.
  • Intangible: Cultural immersion opportunities, life-changing experiences, strengthen research and professional skills, great résumé builder, Fulbright alumni network of 400,000 Fulbrighters.
  • More information about benefits can be found on the award benefits page of the IIE website.

Application/Competition Timeline

Download a detailed month-by-month suggested timeline for 2024 applications, including interim MSU deadlines. 

  • Begin by reading IIE's "Getting Started" page.
  • January/February/March: research possible host countries on the IIE website; make contact with faculty or other researchers in desired host institution, complete Fulbright Program Interest Survey;
  • April: create an account with IIE to begin your application (selecting MSU as your institution links your application to the Fulbright Adviser), contact MSU Fulbright Advisor
  • May-July: attend webinars via IIE and MSU; begin your essays; contact referees to ask for letters of support, obtain letter of affiliation from host institution, request transcripts as needed, arrange language evaluation if applicable; continue to work on online application; meet interim MSU deadlines for various drafts
  • August: finalize application; send reminders if needed for reference letters, language evaluation, and letter of affiliation
  • September 1: submit full application to MSU's Fulbright Advisor.
  • September: attend required campus feedback session (may be held via Zoom) to receive feedback on application; refine application and essays; gather final materials for submission
  • October: submit application to IIE before national deadline
  • November-December: applications are reviewed by National Screening Committee
  • January: Semi-finalists notified that their applications are moving to the next step; applicants not selected to advance also notified
  • February-March: Semi-finalist applications are reviewed by host country Fulbright Commissions and other stakeholders. A video interview is typically conducted.
  • March-May: Finalists are notified; alternates are also notified, as are applicants who were not selected.
  • September: Most grants begin, corresponding to the host country's academic year.
  • More information about the application timeline can be found on the competition timeline page of the IIE website.

Open Study/Research Application Components

  • Extensive biographical data (e.g., name, contact information, birth date, details of your academic background, occupational experience, extracurricular activities, publications, and previous international experience)
  • Written components, including an abstract, plans for host country engagement (plans for civic activity in your host community), statement of grant purpose (two pages outlining your project or justification for pursuing a graduate degree program), and a personal statement (one page, who are you?)
  • Affiliation letter from host institution
  • Transcripts (MSU and any previous degrees)
  • Three letters of recommendation (submitted online by referees)
  • Foreign language evaluation (for some countries)
    • If you have advanced ability in a foreign language, you should first consider countries where that language is spoken, as your language skills will give you a competitive edge.
    • If you do not have foreign language skills, you should first consider countries whose main language is not commonly taught in the US. To varying degrees, countries in this category expect grantees to develop a working knowledge of their language while there; some provide free language classes. You may be able to include language training in your proposal.
  • More information about the various required materials can be found on the application components page of the IIE website.

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