The Fulbright Foreign Student Program enables Master’s students, young professionals and artists from abroad to study and conduct research in the United States. The Fulbright Foreign Student Program operates in more than 160 countries worldwide. Approximately 4,000 foreign students receive Fulbright scholarships each year. The Fulbright Foreign Student Program application and selection process is administered by binational Fulbright Commissions/Foundations or U.S. Embassies.

Placement Types for the Fulbright Foreign Student Program

IIE Placement: IIE (Institute of International Education) manages the university application process on behalf of Fulbright candidates. Applicants submit their Fulbright application and supporting documents to their local Fulbright office. The Placement Team applies to U.S. institutions, manages admission offers, negotiates funding, and makes final acceptance or decline decisions on the candidate’s behalf. The team serves as the primary contact with U.S. universities throughout the placement process.

Self-Placement: Candidates apply directly to universities and manage their own applications. They are responsible for meeting application deadlines, submitting required documents and test scores, and paying any application fees or deposits. Candidates independently secure admission, funding, and tuition awards, while IIE is not involved in the application process.
Note: Students cannot apply for programs with clinical requirements such as dentistry, medicine, pharmacy, nursing. Please note that fields of study such as public health and nursing administration are permitted. 

SCHOLARSHIP COVERAGE
Fulbright recipients receive comprehensive support, including:

• J-1 visa sponsorship
• Financial support for study and research
• Health benefit coverage
• Academic, professional, and cultural enrichment activities

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Although requirements vary by university and program, applicants generally must meet the following requirements.

• Reside in the country of nomination at the time of application
• Applicants must not be holding U.S. degree previously. 
• Applicants must not have previously resided in the U.S. for six months or more during the preceding five years.
• Hold the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree with a strong academic record
• Demonstrate English language proficiency through approved TOEFL (not less than 550, paper-based), 79-80 (Internet Based TOEFL), or 6.5 overall in IELTS scores. Test scores can be submitted to IIE by indicating the institutional code 2326 on the day of the test.
• Not hold U.S. citizenship or dual U.S. citizenship
• Meet any additional country specific requirements established by the local Fulbright office

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
1.    Complete Curricular Vitae that should not exceed more than 2 pages long. 
2.    Attested copies of Diplomas/Certificates and Mark sheets/Transcripts (arranged in a reverse chronological order; the most recent at the top and the oldest at the bottom; starting from SLC to Bachelors.
3.    TOEFL or IELTS and GRE test score reports (This is not mandatory for the application process).
4.    Detailed Study/Research objectives and Personal Statement. 
5.    Clear scanned copy of the information page of their ordinary passports, National ID or Citizenship. 
6.    An applicant for the arts or art-related program shall provide his/her own works.
7.    Three recommendation letters from professors, instructors or supervisors.  

APPLICATION PROCESS
1.    An applicant shall learn about designated Chinese universities by visiting university official websites. 
2.    Check Eligibility: Confirm you hold citizenship and residency in the nominating country, possess a U.S. bachelor's degree equivalent (often a minimum of 16 years of total education), and meet professional or academic experience requirements. Clinical fields like medicine and nursing are generally excluded. 
3.    Select Your Country: Visit the Foreign Fulbright Program Site to find your local commission or U.S. embassy guidelines, as deadlines and application links differ by region. 
4.    Prepare Required Documents: Gather your academic transcripts, diplomas with certified English translations, a 2-page CV or resume, a copy of your passport ID page, and standardized test scores (such as TOEFL, IELTS, or GRE if required by your local office). 
5.    Write Essays: Complete the mandatory personal statement and study and research objective essays, detailing your academic goals and leadership potential. 
6.    Secure Recommendations: Request and submit three recommendation letters from university professors or professional employers. 
7.    Submit Online: Complete and submit your application through the portal before your local country deadline. Shortlisted candidates are typically contacted for an interview. 

OFFICIAL SITE: https://foreign.fulbrightonline.org/apply