Now that you know a bit about Fulbright’s vision and goals, we wonder about yours.

These are not meant to be time-consuming questions! Just get your ideas down and keep your reflections in mind througout the Fulbright process.

Now it’s time to familiarize yourself with the Fulbright application portals and begin the process. First, login to our Northeastern Internal Fellowship Portal and the official Fulbright application site. The NU portal will automatically populate your information and is the easiest and best way for us to track your application progess. You’ll be uploading and submitting a draft of the application, including references, for our internal deadline there.

Then, create an account on the official Fulbright portal. We recommend using your official Northeastern University email to create the account. Remember, you won’t solicit your references here or hit submit until later in the process. 

The Fulbright is the most flexible fellowship in the world. Each country in the Fulbright program — there are over 140 — offers different types of Fulbright fellowships — study, research, or teaching — for different levels of students — recent graduates (undergraduates at time of application), master’s students, and doctoral students.  The goal is to identify a country and an award type that align with your prior experiences, skills, and ambitions and then shape an application that makes the case that you are the right fit for what you propose to do.

The Fulbright offers two main types of awards, the Research/Study Grant, and the English Teaching Assistantship (ETA).

The Study & Research Grants

Academic research grants are available in approximately 160 countries. For the research/study grant, applicants will either design their own projects (these can be creative projects or research endeavors) or do coursework at a foreign university. Scholars, in either case, will typically work with advisors at foreign universities or other cultural institutions. The program requirements vary by country, so it is critical to check a prospective host country’s program summary; you will want your application to address the specifications of the host country. These grants can also be centered around the creative arts. Those submitting a Creative and Performing Arts application should submit the supplementary materials listed on the Fulbright website. Study grants allow students to pursue a taught course at a university.

The ETA

An English Teaching Assistantship (ETA) allows grantees to teach or serve as assistants to those teaching English to non-native English-speakers. The age and academic level of students varies widely, from kindergarteners to university students. In some countries, students will be asked to come up with a supplementary project to pursue while they are not teaching – in others, this will be discouraged. Again, program requirements vary by country, so it is critical to check a prospective host country’s program summary.

You can only apply to one program and country per cycle, so deciding what kind of grant you want to pursue is the necessary first step. Some questions to conside include:

• What previous experiences would I draw on in the Fulbright experience? If you really loved conducting independent research in your coursework or through a co-op, then a research grant might be your best bet; if you have been teaching ESL or tutoring, you might consider the ETA.
• What are you thinking about pursuing as a career path? A study grant could give you education and credentials that would help you reach your career goals; a research grant is a great way to prepare for a PhD program or a career in research; an ETA is excellent training for teaching as well as medicine, law, or diplomacy
• Why do you want to gain experience abroad? What would you gain from a year-long commitment to international diplomacy?

Take no more than 15 minutes to get some thoughts down, then keep moving.

1. Does the idea of spending a year immersed in cultural and linguistic exchange appeal to you? If so, which aspects of it do you find appealing?
2. What communities are you a part of and how do you participate in those communities?
3. What types of activities do you currently do that you would consider “exchange”? How do you share your ideas, culture, community, with others?

The most important part of putting together a strong Fulbright application is finding a country and project that is a right fit FOR YOU. This requires self-reflection and understanding. You can only apply to one Fulbright country, for one award, a year — so you need to dig deep to figure out who you are, what you value, and how you can contribute to the host country community through your project. In this video and the exercises in the sections below, we lead you through some things you might consider when making this important decision.

Access the Video

We’d like you to think about the most interesting things you’ve done at Northeastern. We want to hear not only what you did, but what makes these particular experiences stand out as the “most interesting”—why did they matter to you? What would somebody else find significant about them?

Specifically, we would like you to identify four or five experiences that helped reveal to you (and can therefore reveal to others) what you care about, what you’re good at, and what you want to keep doing. When making this inventory, try to include at least one experience from each of the following categories, if you can.

1. Any research or creative projects you’ve undertaken in college. What was the context (capstone, co-op, extracurricular…), what was the goal of the project, and what did you do to move it forward? What about it did you enjoy or not enjoy?
2. Any teaching or teaching-like experience you’ve had. Think broadly, as many activities rely on teaching skills: tutoring, mentoring, coaching, onboarding new employees… What about this experience did you enjoy or not enjoy?
3. Any experience you’ve had outside the United States. Where were you, for how long, and for what purpose (vacation, family visit, Dialogue, study abroad, global co-op, etc.)? What did you like about being abroad? What was challenging?
4. Any cross-cultural experience you’ve had, regardless of geographic location or context. How have you fostered connections with people whose experiences and perspectives are different from yours? What did you learn from them? What did they learn from you?

Again, write for a few minutes then keep moving forward. Just get those thoughts down into words!

Do you feel a particular interest, pull, (even) fascination with a particular country or region of the world? If so, help us understand what interests you (language, culture, history, personal connections, etc.). If not, reflect on the factors that you think would be important to you as you determine whether you would like to spend 8-10 months immersed in another culture. What would you hope to learn, to experience, to be challenged by?

There are a few main considerations when choosing a country:

• Your fit with the requirements for the host country (this can be your major, degree level, project topic, language ability, previous experience)
• Your personal connection to the host country
• The match between the host country and the specifics of your project

Your previous experience does not need to be a perfect match with the program or project you’re applying for, but you should be able to make a connection between previous experiences and what you hope to do or study. For instance, experience as a tutor, coach, or camp counselor can prepare you for an ETA position. The graduate program you’re applying for may be the first step of a pivot away from your major toward a new career path.

At its heart the Fulbright is a diplomatic program, so you want to be very clear about how your project contributes to the core Fulbright principle of mutual exchange. How will a year of teaching or graduate study in the host country allow you to continue to engage with that culture? What need of the host country does your project fulfill?

Finally, each country has different specific requirements, all of which are spelled out on the information pages for that country’s grants. The requirements can vary greatly, so it’s imperative that you read this section carefully! Keep in mind–the information in the country description is how the U.S. Fulbright selection committee determines which students to move forward as semi-finalists, so it is key to make your fit with those criteria as clear as possible.

Whil all the sections are important, those that will vary most among awards are: “award profile,” “candidate profile,” “eligibility,” “placement type,” “degree level of applicant,” “supplementary project (ETA),” “Fulbright proposal types (Study/Research),” “Affiliation (Study/Research),”  and “nature of assignment.”

For this exercise, we’re going to give you some practice using the Fulbright website. Take some time to complete this reflection, using it to concentrate and focus your Fulbright process.

1. Which countries are of greatest interest to you now, and why? Write about your top four, unless you’re certain that you’ve narrowed your choices further than that.

Now, pick one of the countries you named above and answer the following questions based on info you found on the Fulbright site regarding that country.

1. 1. Which country are you picking?
   2. What general qualities or attributes does this country seek in Fulbright candidates? Briefly explain why you fit this profile.
   3. Describe any language requirements for this country. What might you need to do in order to meet that requirement by the start of a Fulbright grant (e.g., take another class, be sure to have a conversation at least once a week…)?
   4. Describe any language requirements for this country. What might you need to do in order to meet that requirement by the start of a Fulbright grant (e.g., take another class, be sure to have a conversation at least once a week…)?

The URF Office offers support to all Fulbright applicants at every stage of the application process. There is a structured interview where you will receive feedback (more on this later), but we offer weekly workshops and one-on-one feedback throughout the summer. Don’t go it alone! In the rest of this module, you will find templates to draft your essays and guidelines for the different elements of the application.

The application consists of the following materials:

• Biographical Data
• Short Answer Questions
• Statement of Grant Purpose
• Letter of Affiliation (Study/Research only)
• Foreign Language Evaluation
• Transcript
• Three Recommendations (form for ETA)
• Supplemental materials (Fine Arts applicants only)

Study/Research grant proposals should, ideally, be supported by letters from three full-time faculty members at Northeastern (or another university) or those in positions of authority from a co-op who know you well and can speak specifically about the feasibility of your project and your ability to carry it out.

For the ETA, your references will submit a form that addresses your abilities and potential as a teacher and cross-cultural communicator.

When soliciting a recommendation, be sure to provide your referees with Northeastern’s Request for Reference form (contact Undergraduate Research and Fellowships at URF@Northeastern.edu if you can’t find them on this site – but look for them here). Be sure to let your recommender know what kind of reference they are supplying (letter or form).

You should also provide your references with:

• Information about the award for which you are applying, (and a copy of the form, if you are applying for an ETA.)
• An activities list, detailing your academic achievements and honors as well as community service, athletic participation, and employment
• A draft of your application materials if available (this is a great chance both to set yourself an early deadline and to get feedback on your materials!). If you don’t have a draft, set a date with your recommender to send them one.
• Reminders of any work you have done with them or anything you would like them to comment on specifically. Put another way: why are you asking them, and what qualities of yours are you hoping they can speak to in their recommendation?
• Relevant deadlines. If you are asking for recommendations for multiple awards (which is totally fine!), it’s a nice touch to give them access to a spreadsheet that includes all the deadlines and application submission links.

No matter what, you should arrange to speak with them about your project and your relevant experiences. Be certain to provide information regarding to whom the letter(s) should be addressed (individual or committee, relevant titles, address), specific information about where the letter needs to be sent, and deadlines. Don’t write your own recommendation! Once you have had this conversation, you can register your references on Northeastern’s Internal Fellowship Portal.

These short essays give you a chance to show your experience and personality; given the diplomatic focus of the grant, this is a key element of the application, for both research and ETA applicants.

Abstract (1750 characters)

• ETA: “Why do you wish to be a Fulbright grantee and undertake an English Teaching Assistant opportunity? Why are you applying to this specific country?”
• Study/Research: “Prepare an executive summary detailing the what, where, and why of your proposed project․ If you are proposing the pursuit of a graduate degree program, summarize the program and its relevance to your career/education plans.”

This is your readers’ first introduction to your project, so it’s important that it be as tight as possible. Usually, people leave this until the end to write, once you have as strong a sense as possible of what your project will be.

Flexibility and Adaptability (2000 characters)

• Consider the ways in which you have grown throughout your life that make you the individual you are today.
• How have you demonstrated these qualities in your academic, professional, or personal life?
• Use specific examples from your personal experience

One good way to think about this is to ask yourself “what is a core value I hold that motivates my research/teaching? How have I demonstrated that value in my life?”

Community Engagement (2000 characters)

• How will you integrate within and engage with your host community?
• Consider the ways in which you engage with your U.S. community (through extracurricular activities, hobbies, or volunteering), and how you can engage with these ideas and practices while on grant.
• In what unique ways do you plan to share your culture and values in your host community and learn from others?
• How do your lived experiences prepare you to represent the United States as a cultural ambassador?
• Provide specific examples

This is where you can demonstrate your diplomatic skills and showcase your knowledge of the host community. Volunteering and other public service opportunities are particularly good to focus on here, as they show how you will give back to the host community. Research and study applicants should keep in mind that this host country engagement does not need to be directly related to your topic of study. One thing you’re showing here is how you’re engaging with people beyond the scope of your specific lab or research placement.

Impact of Fulbright Award (2000 characters)

An objective of the Fulbright Program is to “support activities and projects with broad multiplier effects. As a relatively small number of persons can participate in any of these, it is desirable that they be persons who are or who are likely to be in positions to share their experiences and knowledge with others.”

• Describe your career and/or educational plans after completing a Fulbright grant.
• How will your Fulbright experience help you reach these future goals?
• How will you share your Fulbright experience with your community upon your return from the grant?

Remember: you are not bound to follow through on this plan! In all likelihood, your idea of what you hope to achieve in your career post-Fulbright is still vague. What readers want to see here is not a set-in-stone plan, but evidence that you have a realistic sense of the possibilities that a Fulbright will open up for you. Another good thing to keep in mind here is the Fulbright objective of “mutual understanding.” How will your future career build on the connection with the host country that you hope to establish while on your Fulbright grant?

There is no perfect template for a successful statement of grant purpose; each applicant has different strengths, experiences, and motivations! However, there are a few ideas you need to hit: previous experience, plans for engaging with students, plans to engage with the host country. The outline below can be an effective way to produce a first draft, which you can then work with peers, mentors, and URF staff to revise over the course of the application process.

Depending on your background and experience, some parts of the following outline may command more space and attention than others. However, these are the central questions you should be certain to answer. One good question to consider here is: what core value guides your teaching, and how will your classroom and teaching practice reflect that value?

• Why you? What experiences have prepared you for this opportunity? This might be teaching, but could also be other kinds of work with transferable skills (working abroad, tutoring, camp counseling, mentoring).
• Why here?
  • a. Mention previous experience with the country and the language (study abroad, coursework, volunteer experience)
  • b. What do you hope to learn about the country/culture to take home with you?
• 3. How do you teach?
  • a. List specific strategies you’d use in the classroom. These should be grounded in experience, either as a teacher or a language learner yourself.
  • b. Outline ways you would engage students, both in and outside the classroom (this is where you’d talk about your “civic engagement” project—be sure to look on the country description to see how much this is emphasizes for the country to which you’re applying).
• 4. What’s next?
  • a. How will this opportunity set you up for your long-term career goals?
  • b. How do you plan to continue to engage with the host country/community?

The best way to approach the Statement of Purpose for a year of graduate study is as if you were writing a draft of your graduate school application, with a greater focus on location than you will (likely) have in that. This way, if you do decide to apply to other graduate programs, you’ll have materials to get started with!

As with the Statement of Purpose for a research project, you should identify a particular issue or question that you plan to focus your graduate study on, clear reasoning for this particular graduate program in this country, strong qualifications, and a plan for how you hope to continue to connect with the host country after completing your Fulbright grant. The outline below can offer you a useful framework for putting together a first draft:

• The Problem
  • What is the larger issue you hope to focus on in your graduate study? Using statistics is a particularly good way to convey the scope and/or immediacy of an issue
  • What is the connection between the host country and the problem you hope to solve?
• The Program
  • What are the strengths of the program? Are there particular people working on the problem you’re interested in?
  • What courses do you plan to take? Is there a concentration you want to do? An opportunity for a capstone/independent research element?
• Why You?
  • What previous experiences prepare you for the graduate work you propose to do here? This is. a good place to mention research, co-op, language skills, etc.
• What’s Next?
  • What professional opportunities will this graduate program make possible for you?
  • How do you plan to continue working with the host country after your Fulbright?

All your work on the Fulbright application will happen in the online application portal, which can be accessed through the Fulbright website. If you are working offline, be sure to do so in a system where you can track your character count, as the online system will not let you go over.

To apply to the Fulbright, you will need to submit a draft of the entire application, including references, to our Northeastern Internal Fellowship Portal, by September 5, 2025. Our internal deadline is earlier than the national deadline so that you can receive feedback from our team and receive Northeastern’s official endorsement to apply. After you submit your initial application, it will be reviewed by a campus committee composed of faculty and staff, who will give you critical feedback on your materials. You will meet with a graduate student tutor after your interview who will help you incorporate the feedback you receive from your committee.

To be clear: if you complete your application materials and fulfill the requirements of the grant, you will be endorsed. Our goal in the interview is to help make your application as strong as possible, not to “weed out” weak candidates. Typically, these interviews occur in early to mid-September. The committee needs all of your relevant application materials in order to be most helpful to you. While you may continue to work on your application until the bitter end, we ask that students share with us a copy of their final applications by October 3, 2025. This will enable your campus committee interviewer to craft the Fulbright Evaluation Form based upon the latest and best version of your materials. You submit your final materials on the official Fulbright site, and we ask that you also share the final version of your materials with us through the Northeastern Internal Fellowship Portal (which we will re-open for your submission).

One thing to know from the jump is that the national review process for Fulbright is L O N G.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Early Sept: Internal NU deadline
• October: National deadline
• mid-January: semi-finalists notified
• March – May: finalists (AKA recipients) notified

The reason for this extended review process is that your application is reviewed by two panels, one of American academics hired by the US State Department, one by a commission hired by the State Department of the host country. With the exception of Fine Arts candidates, the US panels are interdisciplinary, as are the panels in the host countries for all disciplines. This mixed audience is part of why it is paramount to emphasize clarity and accessibilty in your application materials.