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Fulbright Scholar Awards to the UK

Fulbright Scholar Awards offer postdoctoral, academic and professional opportunities to research and/or lecture at recognised UK higher education institutions, as part of a transformative cultural experience.

There are dozens of Scholar Awards partnered with universities across the UK, some of whom are looking for Fulbrighters interested in researching and/or lecturing in specific disciplines.

Scholar Award grant periods last from three to twelve months.

Depending on the Award, our grants can generally offer:

  • Generous monthly stipends
  • Limited sickness and accident coverage
  • Logistical and visa support
  • Cultural enrichment programmes and events
  • Invitations to the European network of Fulbright events and conferences
  • Membership of national arts and culture organisations
  • Academic journal database packages
  • Access to a global alumni network of collaborative engagement and cultural diplomacy, with over 300,000 academically and professionally accomplished members

Monthly stipends vary from year to year and are typically enough to comfortably cover the cost of living in the UK

Applications are closed for academic year 2025-26.

To be eligible to apply, applicants must:

  • Be a US citizen
  • Not currently reside in the UK
  • Hold or expect to attain a PhD or equivalent professional training/experience in a relevant field before departure to the UK

Dual US-UK citizens are eligible to apply.

The US-UK Fulbright programme aims to foster cultural understanding between our two countries. Preference is therefore given to applicants who do not have extensive experience (six months or longer) in the UK.

Applicants with extensive UK experience should explain in detail how further experience in the UK will fulfil the Fulbright mission in ways that their prior visits did not.

Scholar Awards to the UK

Inter-Country Lecturing Programme for US Fulbright Scholars in Europe

For scholars in Europe to connect with the UK.

University of Sheffield

Covers a three-to-nine month project for research.

University of Birmingham

Research, teaching or lecturing in any research department.

Lancaster University

Researching in any STEM field at the university.

Durham University

Research, teaching or lecturing in any research department.

Queen's University Belfast Irish Literature

Research, teaching and lecturing in Anglophone Irish literature.

Loughborough University

Research, teach or lecture in any research department.

Cardiff University

Research, teaching or lecturing in any research department.

British Library - Eccles Institute for the Americas & Oceania

Research in any appropriate discipline

University of Nottingham

Research, teaching or lecturing in any research department.

Queen Mary, University of London

Research projects in any research department except the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

University of Exeter

Research, teaching or lecturing in any research department.

Queen’s University Belfast Creative Writing

Writing, lecturing and delivering public readings.

Edinburgh Napier University

Research projects in nursing.

University of Roehampton

Research, teach or lecture in any research department.

University of Dundee

Researching, lecturing or teaching in art and design.

H. Lavity Stoutt Community College

Six-month research project.

How to apply

US Scholar Awards application instructions

What we're looking for

The Fulbright Scholar programme supports activities and projects that recognise and promote the critical relationship between educational exchange and international understanding.

We assess more than the intellectual merit of proposals. The best applications are from well-rounded individuals who can demonstrate:

  • Ambassadorial skills
  • Intercultural sensitivity
  • Genuine desire to learn more about the UK and to share aspects of American culture
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Community involvement
  • Leadership potential
  • Plans to further the Fulbright mission and give back to the US upon returning

Preference is given to proposals that involve community or outreach work.

Recipients are expected to form long-term links between their home and host institutions.

Choosing an Award

There are dozens of Scholar Awards available each year. The UK is the most competitive Fulbright programme in the world, so it's important to apply for an Award that best fits your experience and interests.

Some are for specific disciplines and some are just for teaching, research, or a combination of both. Make sure your prospective proposal is eligible before you apply.

Selection committees and interview panels will be looking for clear reasons for selecting your UK university preference. We expect candidates to conduct a thorough university search and to identify institutions that are a strong fit for their academic, personal and professional goals.

Explore the available Awards on this page or on the Fulbright Scholar Programme Awards Catalogue.

Application instructions

Fulbright Scholar Award applications for US citizens are facilitated by the Fulbright Scholar Programme.

  1. Follow the Fulbright US Scholar Programme guidance to review timelines, components and requirements. 

Applicants must draw up a detailed project outline and provide written evidence that the host institution will agree to supervise the project. Prospective Fulbright Scholar Award recipients should identify and contact those with whom they wish to work before submitting an application.

Application process

Applications undergo eligibility checks and peer review in the US before they are recommended for further consideration to the US-UK Fulbright Commission. Applicants will be notified by email in December whether or not their application has been recommended for further consideration in the host country.

Interviews

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview in January 2024. Scholar Award interviews are by video call and cannot be rescheduled.

Notification

All applicants will be informed of their status by late March 2024. The Fulbright Commission cannot comment or provide feedback on individual applications.

Scholar Awards to the UK timeline: applications are closed for 2025-26.

In general, the Fulbright Scholar Award competition for US citizens follows the timeline below. Candidates must make their own independent arrangements with UK institutions.

For full details, please consult the Fulbright US Scholar programme website.

See the timeline below for academic year 2025-26:

February 2024

Applications open

Monday, September 16, 2024, 5:00 PM EST

Applications close

January 2025

Shortlisted candidates invited to interview

March 2025

All candidates notified of their status

April-June 2025

Fulbright onboarding, including paperwork preparation

August-April 2025-26

Independent departures to the UK (orientation takes place in September, but some Scholar projects start as late as April)

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Fulbright Senior Scholar Awards to the UK

Distinguished Chair and Visiting Professor Awards are viewed as among the most prestigious appointments in the Fulbright Scholar programme. Candidates should be eminent scholars and have a significant publication and teaching record.

Each year, several Senior Scholar Awards are offered to US citizens to contribute to the intellectual life of UK universities through seminars, public lectures and curriculum development. Senior Scholar Award grant periods last from three to six months. 

Depending on the Award, our grants can generally offer:

  • Generous financial support and accommodation
  • Limited sickness and accident coverage
  • Logistical and visa support
  • Cultural enrichment programmes and events
  • Invitations to the European network of Fulbright events and conferences
  • Membership of national arts and culture organisations
  • Academic journal database packages
  • Access to a global alumni network of collaborative engagement and cultural diplomacy, with over 300,000 academically and professionally accomplished members

In previous years, Senior Scholar Awards have offered financial support to comfortably cover the cost of living in the UK. Check individual Award pages for full details.

Applications for academic year 2025-26 are closed.

To be eligible to apply, applicants must:

  • Be a US citizen
  • Not currently reside in the UK
  • Hold a PhD or equivalent professional training/experience in a relevant field before departure to the UK
  • Applicants should have more than seven years of experience in their discipline or area of expertise

Dual US-UK citizens are eligible to apply.

The US-UK Fulbright programme aims to foster cultural understanding between our two countries. Preference is therefore given to applicants who do not have extensive experience (six months or longer) in the UK.

Applicants with extensive UK experience should explain in detail how further experience in the UK will fulfil the Fulbright mission in ways that their prior visits did not.

Senior Scholar Awards to the UK

University of Birmingham Distinguished Chair

Seminars, public lectures and curriculum development in any discipline

University of Edinburgh, Distinguished Scholar

Seminars, public lectures and curriculum development in any discipline

Glasgow School of Art Distinguished Scholar Award

Seminars, public lectures and curriculum development in any discipline

University of Manchester Distinguished Chair

Seminars, public lectures and curriculum development within the Faculty of Humanities

How to apply

Senior Scholar Awards application instructions

What we're looking for

The Fulbright Senior Scholar programme supports activities and projects that recognise and promote the critical relationship between educational exchange and international understanding.

We assess more than the intellectual merit of proposals and applicants' professional and academic record. The best applications are from well-rounded individuals who can demonstrate:

  • Ambassadorial skills
  • Intercultural sensitivity
  • Genuine desire to learn more about the UK and to share aspects of American culture
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Community involvement
  • Leadership potential
  • Plans to further the Fulbright mission and give back to the US upon returning

Preference is given to proposals that involve community or outreach work.

Recipients are expected to form long-term links between their home and host institutions.

Choosing an Award

There are several Senior Scholar Awards available each year. The UK is the most competitive Fulbright programme in the world, so it's important to apply for an Award that best fits your experience and interests.

Some Awards are for specific disciplines or have specific requirements. Make sure your prospective proposal is eligible before you apply.

Selection committees and interview panels will be looking for clear reasons for selecting your UK university preference. We expect candidates to conduct a thorough university search and to identify an institution that is a strong fit for their academic, personal and professional goals.

Explore the available Awards on this page or on the Fulbright Scholar Programme Awards Catalogue.

Application instructions

Fulbright Scholar Award applications for US citizens are facilitated by the Fulbright Scholar Programme.

  1. Follow the Fulbright US Scholar Programme guidance to review timelines, components and requirements. Additional guidance on creating and completing your application can be found here.

Applicants must draw up a detailed project outline and provide written evidence that the host institution will agree to supervise the project. Prospective Fulbright Scholar Award recipients should identify and contact those with whom they wish to work before submitting an application.

Application process

Applications undergo eligibility checks and peer review in the US before they are recommended for further consideration to the US-UK Fulbright Commission. Applicants will be notified by email in December whether or not their application has been recommended for further consideration in the host country.

Interviews

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview in January 2024. Scholar Award interviews are by video call and cannot be rescheduled.

Notification

All applicants will be informed of their status by late March 2024. The Fulbright Commission cannot comment or provide feedback on individual applications.

Scholar Awards to the UK timeline: applications are closed for 2025-26.

In general, the Fulbright Scholar Award competition for US citizens follows the timeline below. Candidates must make their own independent arrangements with UK institutions.

For full details, please consult the Fulbright US Scholar programme website.

See the timeline below for academic year 2025-26:

February 2024

Applications open

Monday, September 16, 2024, 5:00 PM EST

Applications close

January 2025

Shortlisted candidates invited to interview

March 2025

All candidates notified of their status

April-June 2025

Fulbright onboarding, including paperwork preparation

August-April 2025-26

Independent departures to the UK (orientation takes place in September, but some Scholar projects start as late as April)