American University

The Fulbright Postgraduate Student Award at American University enables a graduate student from the United Kingdom to pursue an on-campus master’s degree program in any discipline from American University’s College of Arts and Sciences, Kogod School of Business, School of Communication, School of Education, School of International Service, or School of Public Affairs. Certificate programs, online programs and the law school are excluded.

American University offers a vast array of top-ranking academic programs taught by internationally recognized faculty and has a reputation for creating meaningful change. AU is a diverse community of students from 120+ countries and all 50 US states, bringing unique perspectives to our global campus in Washington, DC. Widely known for producing generations of public servants, AU attracts graduate scholars who aspire to further hone their skills, advance research, apply knowledge to the world’s most pressing issues and become an active part of our legacy of bold leadership. Join our graduate schools and be part of a vibrant community of changemakers.

American University is the first carbon neutral university in the U.S. and its campus has been ranked as one of the most beautiful campuses in an urban setting, which includes an arboretum and gardens. AU offers unparalleled access to the energy, culture, and opportunities of our nation’s capital, which is home to the federal government, policy makers, many non-profits and is an international hub. Washington, DC is an exciting city with vibrant communities and eclectic neighborhoods where you can explore the city’s entertainment life, tasty foods, and tour monuments and landmarks.

Please note, the application timeline for this award is separate to other postgraduate awards available. Applications for 2024-25 are currently open, and will close in early March 2024. Scroll down to see the full timeline and how to apply.

Grant amount and details

This Award covers up to two years of study:

Full tuition: Tuition will be fully covered for the admitted student.
Application fees: Application fees will be waived for the admitted student.
Graduate assistantship and stipend: A graduate assistantship with a biweekly stipend will be provided. The graduate student will be required to work 20 hours per week for 15 weeks per semester and paid at the graduate student rate, currently $21/hour.
Health insurance: American University will provide a scholarship to cover the full cost of the AU Student Health Insurance plan during the duration of the awardee’s studies provided the student maintains full-time enrolment (9 credit hours in fall and spring) and maintains satisfactory academic progress.

Note that other student fees may remain and vary in cost but will be the responsibility of the student.

What we're looking for

We are looking for applicants who can engage with the USA in an atmosphere of openness, academic integrity and intellectual freedom, thereby promoting mutual understanding.

Academic excellence is important, but we are looking for more than that. The best applications are from well-rounded students who can demonstrate:

Strong academic proposals and/or research projects
Ambassadorial skills
Intercultural sensitivity 
Genuine desire to learn more about the USA and to share aspects of British culture
Extracurricular activities
Community involvement
Leadership potential
Plans to further the Fulbright mission and give back to the UK upon returning

Application instructions

1. Review the UK-specific application information:

Review the eligibility criteria for the award for which you are applying (where applicable)
Read the UK-specific American University award application instructions
Read the UK-specific terms and conditions
Review the Fulbright Commission Privacy Notice

2. Complete an online application - the link to apply can be found in the application instructions.

3. Complete the separate online US-UK Fulbright Commission Supplemental Form. You can access the form here. The link is also available in the Application Instructions.

This is a required part of the application for all applicants, and your application will be considered incomplete without it.

3a. If you are submitting an application with a 2:2 undergraduate result, you must additionally complete the 2:2 Undergraduate Result Form. The link is also available in the Application Instructions.

We may accept applications from individuals with a 2:2 overall result in some exceptional cases. We will evaluate these applications separately and on a case by case basis will determine if the application will be included in the competition.

Please note, this award is not available under the IIE placement model.

Application process

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a panel interview which will take place in April 2024 on Zoom.

The Fulbright Commission cannot comment or provide feedback on individual applications.

American University Award Application Timeline

For academic year 2024-25

October 2023

Applications open

Early March 2024

Deadline for applications. Please note that we do not consider late applications. All applications have to be submitted online, and we do not accept applications via e-mail.

Mid March 2024

Initial screening and review of applications are done by review panels. You should not expect to hear from the Commission during this time, and staff will be unable to comment on the process or an individual application’s status.   

April 2024

If shortlisted, successful candidates must be available for interview.  It is the responsibility of the applicant to be available for an interview on the date and at the time allocated and to cover associated costs. We have a tight schedule and are therefore unable to reschedule interviews. 

May 2024

Fulbright and J-1 visa paperwork. 

July 2024

Pre-departure orientation

August 2024

Independent departures, your Fulbright exchange begins. In exceptional cases, earlier departures may be permitted if no alternative grant dates can be arranged.