Fulbright Foreign Student Program for Pre-Doctoral Visiting Research

Application instructions for 2025- 2026 Fulbright Student (Pre-Doctoral) Visiting research applicants

Please read the instructions carefully. Only complete applications will be considered for review.

• Standardized test results (TOEFL, GRE …) are not required at the time of application submission. After the interview the Slovenian – American Fulbright panel will pre-select candidates. U.S. Embassy will notify candidates when to register for IBT TOEFL or other tests required.
• Upload your diploma(s), transcripts, test scores. Note: The Fulbright does not require official transcripts or English translations of academic diplomas and transcripts at this stage of the application. Copies of transcripts and academic diplomas are acceptable. After the interview only pre-selected candidates will need to hand in official transcripts and English translations of these documents.
• Three confidential letters of reference in English by professors who have taught you or supervised your academic work must be completed by registering the referees in the online system. The referees will then upload the letters directly. Letters of reference that were not uploaded to the online system will not be accepted. If you have considerable work experience, one letter of reference can also come from a current or previous employer.
• Architecture and art students are required to submit work samples/portfolios with their application. Four copies should be sent directly to the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy if they cannot be uploaded to the online application.
• We do not require you to fill out the “Personal financial information form” at this point. Successful candidates will have an opportunity to fill out that information at a later date. If you decide to fill out this form in the first step of the application process, the information given will not be considered in Panel’s review/interview process.
• It is recommended that you compose your “Study Objectives and Personal Statement” using a word processor, and “cut and paste” it into the application.

The following information and application tips apply to both grant categories:

Preparing the Curriculum Vitae

It is important to include:

1. Education (universities attended, degrees held)
2. Positions held
3. Courses taught and other services provided to students and the home institution
4. Publications
5. Other professional activities, such as workshops, seminars and consultations
6. Membership and activities in professional associations
7. Professional honors, awards and fellowships
8. Community service

Preparing the Project Statement

The project statement is the most important aspect of preparing the Fulbright application. It is important to write compelling, theoretically sound, well-written, feasible proposals. Sometimes applicants with outstanding professional achievements assume that a brief, general project statement will be sufficient. However, in order to ensure a more complete application, your proposed project, as well as the strategy for completing it, should be thoroughly explained.

Factors to Address in the Project Statement

• Clearly define your objectives and the methodology you will employ. Indicate whether you will use interviews, library or archival research, or laboratory experiments to accomplish your project.
• Place your project in academic or professional context by referring to leading works by others on the topic if that information is available.
• Explain the significance of the project for the field and your own professional development.
• Explain why residence in the United States is necessary for accomplishment of the project. Comment, if applicable, on the adequacy or inadequacy of research facilities and library resources in your own country and on the need to use specific collections in the United States.
• Describe arrangements you have made, for affiliation or collaboration. Secure a letter of invitation from a U.S. host institution testifying to the merits and feasibility of the proposal. Discuss how your project can be completed within the time period you have available.
• Indicate how you will disseminate the results of your research both in the United States and upon return to Slovenia.

Letters of Reference

Three references must be submitted electronically in the online application. Please ensure that the references are submitted promptly and in English. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that references are submitted by the deadline. References should be from persons qualified to evaluate your professional work and proposal. Persons related to you either by blood or marriage, or by personal friends should not write letters of reference. At least one of the references should be from a specialist outside your university.