2025-26 Fulbright Graduate Studies and (Pre)Doctoral Research

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

• Americanized resume/CV
• Study or Research Objectives Essay
• Personal Statement Essay
• Diploma of most recent degree including transcripts with completed coursework
• Three letters of recommendation (uploaded directly into online application by chosen recommenders)
• Writing sample (for doctoral students only)
• Letter of admission or affiliation from a U.S. host institution. This letter should contain the institution’s letterhead, mention the exact dates (or academic term) of your stay and can be provided after the application deadline. Student researchers are encouraged to submit their affiliation letter by the application deadline, if possible.

All these documents must be included in your application by December 1 with exception of the admission letter. Please note that we do NOT require supplemental forms such as a letter from your home institution or official test results (e.g. TOEFL). You may include test results in the appropriate application fields if you so desire.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program of the U.S. Department of State. Keep in mind that the program is all about promoting mutual understanding through cultural diplomacy.

The most competitive applicants demonstrate ambassadorial qualities and a genuine interest in cultural exchange. It is important for candidates to articulate a clear, creative, and feasible plan for their time in the United States and to explain why this is the right time to pursue their plan and how their grant will ultimately help them achieve their personal and professional goals in the future. The Commission is looking for candidates who will also have a multiplier effect within their U.S., Belgian or Luxembourgish communities and who wish to ultimately return to Belgium or Luxembourg to share their knowledge and experiences after their grant has ended.

Candidates are responsible for applying and securing letters of admission or affiliation on their own. While these letters are not required at the time of application, they do strengthen an application if they are included and they must ultimately be provided by selected grantees in order to receive the grant. Candidates with strong completed applications submitted by the deadline will be invited to the Commission in the last week of January for a mandatory interview in English. Interviews are in person and cannot be rescheduled. The interview will include a discussion of your motivations for going to the U.S., your plans when you arrive, and how you will improve U.S. relations between Belgium or Luxembourg as an alumni when you return. Successful candidates will demonstrate ambassadorial qualities, English proficiency, and the ability to explain their academic proposal in simple terms. All applications are evaluated by our Selections Committee which is composed of Belgian, Luxembourgish and American academia, professionals, government officials, and Fulbright alumni from various fields.