Fulbright Eligibility Requirements 2028–29
Who qualifies for Fulbright? The short answer: it depends on your country. Here's what you need to know about requirements for Study, Research and Visiting Scholar grants.
ScholarshipUnion Editorial
2 min read
Updated Oct 5, 2026
Quick Eligibility Checker
Answer these four questions to check if you likely meet the core requirements.
- 1Are you a citizen and resident of a Fulbright-eligible country (without U.S. citizenship)?
Dual citizens with U.S. citizenship cannot apply for the Foreign Student Program.
- 2Do you have (or will you have before the grant starts) a completed Bachelor's degree?
- 3Can you demonstrate English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS)?
- 4Can you pass a medical clearance and return home for 2 years afterwards?
You likely meet the core eligibility requirements! Check your country-specific requirements next.
One or more core requirements are not met. Some may have workarounds — read the details below.
Requirements by Grant Type
Study awards
- Completed Bachelor's degree
- Work experience preferred (1–3 years) but not required
- TOEFL/IELTS required (country minimum)
- Duration: 1–2 years (degree length)
- Affiliation letter recommended but not always required
Research grants
- Master's degree or enrolled in a PhD
- Active research track record (publications, conferences)
- Duration: 3–12 months (non-degree)
- Affiliation letter required
Visiting Scholar
- Doctorate or equivalent professional experience
- 2–5+ years of post-doctoral experience required
- Duration: 3–12 months. An age limit sometimes applies (45–50)
- Affiliation letter required
Teaching assistantships (FLTA / ETA)
- Bachelor's in English, Education, or Linguistics
- Teaching experience preferred
- Age limit usually 21–29
TOEFL & IELTS Scores by Region
Each commission sets its own minimum. As a rough guide to TOEFL iBT minimums:
| Band | TOEFL iBT | Typical regions |
|---|---|---|
| Lower | 79–84 | Africa, Central Asia, Latin America |
| Mid | 85–99 | South/Southeast Asia, Middle East, Eastern Europe |
| Higher | 100+ | Western Europe, Nordic countries, East Asia |
These are minimums. Winners typically score 15–20 points above the minimum.
Fields of Study
Often restricted
- Clinical Medicine (MD) — most countries exclude it
- MBA programs — seen as career-advancing, not development-focused
- Law (JD) — an LLM may be accepted in some countries
- Dentistry & clinical nursing
Often prioritized
- STEM — climate science, renewable energy, public health
- Public policy — international relations, development economics
- Education — curriculum development, TESOL
- Arts & humanities — music, journalism, area studies
Country-Specific Variations
Country data →Eligibility varies dramatically by country. These examples have been reported for recent cycles; always confirm the current rules with your commission.
| Country | Reported requirements |
|---|---|
| Indonesia | Minimum 3 years of work experience. TOEFL 80+. No MBA funding. Preference for applicants from outside Jakarta. |
| Pakistan | TOEFL 80+ (some programs 90+). 16 years of education required. Strong STEM preference. Multi-stage interview with 15 panelists. |
| Germany | TOEFL 100+ is competitive. Very strong applicant pool because of the DAAD alternative. Both Study and Research awards available. |
| Egypt | Minimum 2 years of work experience. TOEFL ~85. STEM, public health and education priority. Commitment to return home heavily weighted. |
| Brazil | TOEFL 79–80. No work experience required for Study awards. Both Master's and PhD funding. Active arts programs. |
Next Steps
Step-by-step application roadmap
How award rates differ by country