fulbright phd scholarship 2023

Explore Fulbright Opportunities

Which type of fulbright is for you, professional, higher education institution, u.s. citizens.

Please review Fulbright U.S. Student eligibility requirements . Note that requirements may differ depending on the program or country.

The Fulbright Study/Research Award is the traditional award opportunity for a candidate to design a proposal to pursue coursework or undertake independent research in a specific country. Applicants for Study/Research Awards design their own projects and will typically work with advisers at foreign universities or other institutes of higher education. Program requirements vary by country. Some countries have awards at specific institutions or in specific fields.

The Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Program places recent graduates and young professionals as English teaching assistants in primary and secondary schools or universities overseas, improving foreign students’ English language abilities and knowledge of the United States while increasing the U.S. student’s own language skills and knowledge of the host country. ETAs may also pursue individual study/research plans in addition to their teaching responsibilities.

The Fulbright-National Geographic Award Program is seeking proposals that undertake an in-depth examination of globally relevant issues as an add-on to the Fulbright Open Study/Research project. Funded projects will incorporate science, storytelling, and/or education, and must align with one or more of the Society’s five focus areas: Ocean, Land, Wildlife, Human History and Cultures, or Human Ingenuity. This award is made possible through a partnership between the U.S. Department of State and the National Geographic Society.

The Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Program , sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, provides opportunities to doctoral candidates to engage in full-time dissertation research abroad in modern foreign languages and area studies. The program is designed to contribute to the development and improvement of the study of modern foreign languages and area studies in the United States.

Fulbright-Fogarty Fellowships in Public Health give medical students and graduate students interested in global health the opportunity to conduct research in public health and clinical research in resource-limited settings. Fellows spend nine months in one of nine countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, or South America. This Fellowship is offered in partnership with the Fogarty International Center of the U.S. National Institute of Health.

The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program  sends U.S. scholars and professionals to approximately 130 countries, where they lecture and/or conduct research in a wide variety of academic and professional fields. Current faculty, administrators, and experienced professionals are encouraged to apply. Postdoctoral candidates are encouraged to apply for postdoctoral awards. Click here to review Fulbright U.S. Scholar eligibility requirements.

The Fulbright Specialist Program , a short-term complement to the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program, sends experienced U.S. faculty and professionals to serve as expert consultants and engage in education and/or training activities for a period of two to six weeks. Specialists are hosted by a range of overseas institutions, including insitutions of higher education, government institutions, cultural institutions, non-governmental organizations, and medical institutions. Note that eligibility for the Fulbright Specialist program may differ from the Fulbright U.S. Scholar guidelines.

Fulbright Amazonia brings together applied researchers from Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, the United States, and Venezuela to collaborate on action-oriented research with the goal of securing a sustainable Amazonian Basin. Working in multidisciplinary research teams, Fulbright Amazonia Scholars will explore socially relevant research questions and participate in group seminars and exchanges to inform actionable project outcomes and policies, directly improving the quality of life of communities throughout the Amazonian Basin.

The Fulbright Arctic Initiative  supports scholars, researchers, and professionals from Arctic Council member countries to carry out collaborative research on public policy questions related to the unique challenges of the Arctic region. The goal is to create a network to stimulate international collaboration on Arctic issues while increasing mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.

The Fulbright International Education Administrators  (IEA) Awards provide international education professionals and senior higher education officials an opportunity to engage in a two-week intensive seminar to learn about the host country’s education system and establish networks of U.S. and international colleagues.

The Fulbright Distinguished Scholar  awards are viewed as among the most prestigious appointments in the Fulbright Scholar Program. Candidates should be senior scholars and have a significant publication and teaching record.

The Fulbright-Hays Faculty Research Abroad (FRA) Program is designed to contribute to the development and improvement of modern foreign language and area studies in the U.S. by providing opportunities for scholars to conduct research abroad.

The Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Research Program sends U.S. primary and secondary school teachers abroad for three to six months to pursue individual projects, conduct research, take courses for professional development, and share their expertise with local teachers and students. There is a short-term program option (two-six weeks) that sends expert U.S. teachers to support projects identified by U.S. Embassies and Fulbright Commissions in schools, teacher training colleges, government ministries, and educational non-governmental organizations.

The Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program is a professional development fellowship for elementary, middle, and high school teachers from the United States to participate in a program aimed at globalizing U.S. classrooms. The fellowship includes an online professional development course, a Global Education Symposium held in Washington, D.C., and a two-to-three-week international field experience.

The Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Program  provides short-term study and travel seminars abroad for U.S. educators in the social sciences and humanities for the purpose of improving their understanding and knowledge of the peoples and cultures of other countries.

The Fulbright-Hays–Group Projects Abroad Program  provides grants to support overseas projects in training, research, and curriculum development in modern foreign languages and area studies for teachers, students, and faculty engaged in a common endeavor.

The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program  sends U.S. scholars and professionals to approximately 130 countries, where they lecture and/or conduct research in a wide variety of academic and professional fields. Current faculty, administrators, and experienced professionals are encouraged to apply. Postdoctoral candidates are encouraged to apply for postdoctoral awards.  Click here to review Fulbright U.S. Scholar eligibility requirements.

Fulbright Amazonia  brings together applied researchers from Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, the United States, and Venezuela to collaborate on action-oriented research with the goal of securing a sustainable Amazonian Basin. Working in multidisciplinary research teams, Fulbright Amazonia Scholars will explore socially relevant research questions and participate in group seminars and exchanges to inform actionable project outcomes and policies, directly improving the quality of life of communities throughout the Amazonian Basin.

Non-U.S. Citizens

Eligibility for the Foreign Fulbright Program varies by country and the specific program for which you are applying. Please contact your binational Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy for more detailed information.

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program  enables graduate students, young professionals, and artists from abroad to research and study in the United States for one year or longer at U.S. universities or other appropriate institutions. Application details and grant terms for the Fulbright Program vary by country of citizenship and program. Potential applicants should consult individual  country pages for program availability and contact information or to see a list of current programs. For prospective applicants from Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, the UAE, West Bank and Gaza, or Yemen, please see this page  for the Fulbright Foreign Student Program.

The Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Program places early career educators as FLTAs at U.S. colleges and universities —improving U.S. students’ foreign language abilities and knowledge of other countries. U.S. schools can apply to host FLTAs in over 30 languages. U.S. campuses enhance the teaching of languages and expose students to a true understanding of people of different nations.

The Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program provides grants to foreign scholars to conduct postdoctoral research or teach at U.S. institutions for periods ranging from an academic semester to a full academic year.

Fulbright Amazonia will bring together applied researchers from Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, the United States, and Venezuela to collaborate on action-oriented research with the goal of securing a sustainable Amazonian Basin. Working in multidisciplinary research teams, Fulbright Amazonia Scholars will explore socially relevant research questions and participate in group seminars and exchanges to inform actionable project outcomes and policies, directly improving the quality of life of communities throughout the Amazonian Basin.

The Fulbright Arctic Initiative supports scholars, researchers, and professionals from Arctic Council member countries (Canada; the Kingdom of Denmark, including Greenland and the Faroe Islands; Finland; Iceland; Norway; Russia; and Sweden) to carry out collaborative research on public policy questions related to the unique challenges of the Arctic region. The goal is to create a network to stimulate international collaboration on Arctic issues while increasing mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.

The Fulbright-National Archives Heritage Science Fellowship , a component of the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program, provides an opportunity for a Fulbright visiting scholar to connect with National Archives and Record Administration scientists and experts while conducting research at the National Archives and Record Administration’s Heritage Science Research and Testing Lab in College Park, Maryland. This fellowship is made possible through a partnership between the U.S. Department of State and the National Archives and Records Administration. The award was established to support archival science education, conservation, and research.

The Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence (S-I-R) Program is a unique Fulbright Scholar Program initiative that is specifically driven by the goals of U.S. institutions of higher education to enhance internationalization efforts on their campuses. Through the S-I-R Program, institutions host a scholar from outside of the United States for a semester or full academic year to teach courses, assist in curriculum development, guest lecture, develop study abroad/exchange partnerships, and engage with the campus and the local community.

The Outreach Lecturing Fund (OLF) provides funding for campuses, especially Minority Serving Institutions, community colleges, small liberal arts colleges, women’s colleges, and art Colleges, and geographically underrepresented institutions, to host Fulbright Visiting Scholars already in the United States for short-term speaking engagements. The OLF award is designed to enrich both institutions and Visiting Scholars through lectures that promote academic disciplines and cultural understanding.

The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program provides 10 months of professional enrichment and non-degree graduate-level study in the United States for accomplished mid-level professionals from designated countries. Fellows are nominated by U.S. Embassies or Fulbright Commissions based on their potential for leadership and a demonstrated commitment to public service. The fellows are placed in groups by professional field at selected U.S. universities offering specially designed programs of study and training.  This growing global network shares best practices and builds expertise in fields of critical importance to advance societal and institutional capacity, promote human rights and freedoms, ensure sustainable environments, and develop thriving communities.

The  Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program  brings international educators to the United States for a six-week professional learning program featuring academic seminars at a host university and co-teaching placements at U.S. primary and secondary schools. Fellows observe classrooms, team-teach, and share their expertise with educators and students at the host university and at a variety of public, private (secular or faith-based), or charter schools. Participants also take part in civic and cultural activities in their host communities.

The  Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program for International Teachers brings international primary and secondary educators to the United States for a four-month program to complete an individual or group project; take courses for professional learning at a host university; and observe, collaborate, and share their expertise with U.S. colleagues in public, private (secular or faith-based), or charter schools.

Fulbright Amazonia  will bring together applied researchers from Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, the United States, and Venezuela to collaborate on action-oriented research with the goal of securing a sustainable Amazonian Basin. Working in multidisciplinary research teams, Fulbright Amazonia Scholars will explore socially relevant research questions and participate in group seminars and exchanges to inform actionable project outcomes and policies, directly improving the quality of life of communities throughout the Amazonian Basin.

The  Fulbright-National Archives Heritage Science Fellowship , a component of the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program, provides an opportunity for a Fulbright visiting scholar to connect with National Archives and Record Administration scientists and experts while conducting research at the National Archives and Record Administration’s Heritage Science Research and Testing Lab in College Park, Maryland. This fellowship is made possible through a partnership between the U.S. Department of State and the National Archives and Records Administration. The award was established to support archival science education, conservation, and research.

Higher Education Institutions

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THE UNITED STATES EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION IN PAKISTAN

Promoting mutual understanding through exchanges.

FUTURE APPLICANTS

Undergraduate Students

• Global UGRAD

Graduate Students

• Fulbright PhD & Masters

Mid-Career Professionals

Senior scholar.

• Fulbright Specialist Program
• Fulbright Scholar Program

U.S. Applicants

• U.S. Fulbright Scholar Program

Fulbright Degree Program

Important Notice for Fulbright Applicants

Good news for Fulbright applicants currently attending or teaching at HEC approved public universities in Pakistan! The cost of your GRE may be reimbursed by USEFP if you achieve a good score. When we receive your complete application along with your official GRE scores, you may request a reimbursement if you have achieved the combined score according to below criteria:

For applicants in engineering and science subjects: 300 For applicants in humanities and social science subjects: 290 If you think you qualify, attach your reimbursement request to your application. Requests will not be considered unless they are received along with the complete application. USEFP has the funds to approve up to 30 such reimbursements available for this cycle. Requests received early (with applications submitted before the deadline and score reports attached) have priority.

The Fulbright Master's and PhD Program funds graduate study in the United States. Funded by the United States Department of State, these grants cover tuition, required textbooks, airfare, a living stipend, and health insurance. USEFP also assists with the visa process.

For the Master's degree program, eligible candidates will have either a four-year Bachelor's degree or a Bachelor's and Master's combination totaling 16 years of formal education from an accredited university. Recent graduates are strongly encouraged to apply, except for MBA and Public Policy/Administration applicants, who require 2 years of work experience.

For the PhD degree program, eligible applicants will have a Master's, M.Phil or comparable degree (a minimum of 18 years of formal education) from an accredited university. It is highly desirable that candidates have work experience in teaching, research, or the public sector in Pakistan.

For both the Master's and PhD programs, all academic disciplines are eligible, except clinical medicine. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE General) is required for all applicants. Under the new scoring system, a minimum score of 145 is required on each section of the GRE examination, with a higher score on the section most applicable to your field of study.

Applicants must also possess a high level of fluency in spoken and written English. The Duolingo Test of English will be required from all the shortlisted candidates.

All successful candidates are required to sign a contract with USEFP and, for successful PhD candidates, a bond with the HEC that binds them to return to Pakistan immediately after their program in the U.S. and serve the country for the number of years equivalent to the length of their scholarship program. This contract is redeemable on a year-for-year basis minimum of two years; as long as a person fulfills the service requirement, he or she will pay nothing.

Applications are accepted each year in November and the deadline to submit application is around February. The application review and interview process continue until August and the results are announced in mid-September. After selection, the university submission and placement process continue until February and visa interviews take place until June. The departure to the U.S. commences in July and onwards, depending on the universities reporting dates.

Eligibility Criteria

• Pakistani citizens with strong academic histories, residing (throughout the process) in Pakistan and committed to returning and serving Pakistan are welcome to apply.
• All disciplines are eligible except clinical medicine. People in the fields of energy, water, agriculture, health, education, environment, and climate change disciplines are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Eligible Master's applicants will have a four-year Bachelor's degree or a Bachelor's and Master's combination (16 years of formal education) and PhD applicants will have Master's, M.Phil., or a comparable degree (18 years of formal education) from an accredited university.
• Applicants should be prepared to complete grants without accompanying dependents, if need be.

Ineligibility

• Persons with a dual U.S./Pakistan nationality or those having a spouse, parent, or child over 18 years of age who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Employees/contractors of the Fulbright organization, the U.S. Department of State, or USAID and their spouses, children, siblings, dependents, and parents.
• People who have already availed one Fulbright award for any degree program.
• Persons already studying in the U.S. or on a work/residence/student visa in any country.

How to apply

A complete application package includes:

• An application form
• Three reference letters
• GRE score report
• Scanned transcripts, including an explanation of the grading scale of the university issuing the degree should be uploaded. Please note that HEC-attested documents are preferable with the application but degree and transcripts attested by the issuing authority will be acceptable at the time of application.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. An application with references and required supporting documents must be submitted online. Please note that paper applications will not be accepted.

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Fellowships

• Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships
• Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships
• Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Fellowships
• Fulbright-Nehru Postdoctoral Research Fellowships
• Fulbright-Nehru International Education Administrators Seminar
• Fulbright-Nehru Visiting Chair at the University of Massachusetts Amherst
• Fulbright-Nehru Visiting Chair Program at Emory University
• Fulbright-Nehru Visiting Chair Program
• Doctoral Research
• Postdoctoral Research
• Academic and Professional Excellence
• Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
• Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program
• Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence Program
• Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program
• Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program for International Teachers
• Fulbright Specialist Program
• Selection Process
• Click here to sign up for Fulbright updates
• Fulbright-Nehru Student Research
• Fulbright-Nehru Distinguished Scholar Fellowships
• Fulbright-Nehru International Education Administrators Award
• Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowship
• Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching Program
• Fulbright-Hays Faculty Research Abroad
• Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad
• Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Program
• Fulbright Group Projects Abroad

2025-2026 Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships

The Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships are designed for Indian scholars who are registered for a Ph.D. at an Indian institution. These fellowships are for six to nine months. Applications are invited in the following fields only: Agricultural Sciences; Anthropology; Bioengineering; Chemistry; Computer Science (including, but not limited to, cyber security, digital economy, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning and big data analytics); Earth Sciences; Economics; Education Policy and Planning; Energy Studies; History; Language/Literature/Linguistics; Materials Science (with emphasis on environmental applications); Mathematical Sciences; Neurosciences; Performing Arts; Physics; Political Science (including, but not limited to, International Security and Strategic Studies); Psychology; Public Health (including, but not limited to, pandemic preparedness and comprehensive surveillance (genomic surveillance, sewage surveillance, sero-surveillance)); Public Policy; Sociology; Urban and Regional Planning (with emphasis on smart cities and waste management); Visual Arts; and Women’s and Gender Studies. Affiliation The applicant will be affiliated with one U.S. host institution. USIEF strongly recommends all applicants to identify institutions with which they wish to be affiliated and to correspond, in advance, with potential host institutions. If the applicant has secured a letter of invitation from a U.S. institution, they must include it as a part of the online application. Selected scholars will have opportunities to audit non-degree courses, conduct research, and gain practical work experience in suitable settings in the U.S. Grant Benefits The fellowships provide J-1 visa support, a monthly stipend, Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges per U.S. Government guidelines, round-trip economy class air travel, applicable allowances and modest affiliation fees, if any. No allowances are provided for dependents. The grant is not sufficient to support family members. Eligibility Requirements In addition to the General Prerequisites

• The applicant should have done reasonable study pertaining to their research objectives, especially in the identification of resources in India and the U.S. Applicant must be registered for Ph.D. at an Indian institution on or before November 1, 2023. On the online application form, one of the recommendation letters must be from the Ph.D. supervisor that comments on applicants’ research, need for the fellowship, and must indicate the Ph.D. registration date and topic;
• This grant is intended for Ph.D. students to conduct research essential to their dissertations/thesis. Therefore, the expected Ph.D. thesis submission date should at least be three months after the Fulbright-Nehru grant end date. For example, if May 2026 is the grant end date, the applicant cannot submit their thesis before August 2026. Please indicate the Ph.D. registration date and the expected Ph.D. thesis submission date in the Applicant Annexure.
• If the applicant is employed, they must follow the instructions carefully regarding employer’s endorsement. If applicable, please obtain the endorsement from the appropriate administrative authority on the FNDR Employer’s Endorsement Form. The employer must indicate that leave will be granted for the fellowship period; and
• The applicant must upload a copy of the original published/presented paper or extracts from the Masters’/M.Phil. thesis on the online application form (not exceeding 20 pages).

Note: These fellowships are for pre-doctoral level research. Applicants with Ph.D. degrees or those at the final stage of Ph.D. thesis submission will not be considered.

• Applications must be submitted online at: https://apply.iie.org/ffsp2025  
• Please carefully review the FNDR Applicant Instructions before starting your online application.  
• Please refer to FNDR Applicant Checklist before submitting the application.  
• In addition, you must complete FNDR Applicant Annexure and FNDR Employer’s Endorsement Form (if applicable) and upload on your online application.

Application Deadline: July 15, 2024, 23:59:59 hrs (IST)  

For any queries contact: [email protected]  

Timeline and Placement Process

IMPORTANT:  

You can apply for only ONE Fulbright-Nehru fellowship category during a competition cycle. Candidates cannot apply for Fulbright-Nehru and Fulbright-Kalam grants in the same academic year. Plagiarism in the application will lead to disqualification. Unless otherwise specified, Fulbright-Nehru applications are to be submitted online. Applications received after the deadline will NOT be considered. Extensions and Transfer of visa sponsorship will not be permitted. Prospective Fulbright participants should be aware that public health conditions, availability of consular services and travel, as well as U.S. institutional operating status and policies may affect their ability to travel to the U.S. and participate in academic programs.  

Applications submitted prior to February 2, 2024 will NOT BE considered.

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Fulbright-ched phd scholarship program.

The objective of a Fulbright-CHED grant is to enable qualified higher education faculty and staff currently affiliated with CHED-recognized higher education institutions, to pursue doctoral studies in the United States to upgrade the country’s higher education system, fast-track the Higher Education Reform Agenda, and develop leaders who can contribute to promoting better understanding between the Philippines and the United States.

Funding is for a maximum of two (2) years for doctoral degree studies. The grant provides for tuition and fees, settling-in allowance, monthly maintenance allowance, books and supplies allowance, in-transit allowance, health and accident insurance, roundtrip international airfare and excess baggage allowance. Successful candidates must commit to fulfill a return service obligation with their HEIs in the form of teaching and/or research upon completion of the grant. Applicants who are accepted in the program must enter into a tripartite contract with the sending Philippine institution and CHED for the monitoring of the re-entry action plan.

Fields of Study

The program will fund study, but shall not be limited to the priority fields identified in the CHED’s “Priority Fields for Foreign Scholarships.” These include the following:

• Agricultural Education – Aquaculture, Biodiversity Conservation, Capture Fisheries, Food Security, Forest Restoration, Forest and Climate Change Studies, Plantation Development, Resource Management, Watershed Management, Agri-Technology and Post-Harvest Processing
• Architecture, Fine Arts, and Related Programs – Future Cities, Urban and Regional Planning, Public Works Planning and Development, Transportation Studies, Ecological Landscape – Architecture, Land Use Planning, Landscape Ecology, Tropical/Cultural Landscape Architecture, Urban and Countryside Landscape, Ethnological Landscape Architecture
• Business Management – Business Analytics, Business Ethics, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Human Resource Management, Organizational Development, Tourism Management (Ph.D. Level)
• Criminal Justice Education – Administration of Justice and Security, Cybersecurity, Forensic Science
• Engineering – Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronic and Communications Engineering, Materials Engineering / Synthetic Products, Mechatronics and Robotics, Materials Science Engineering, Mining Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Sanitary Engineering, Transportation Engineering
• Health Profession Education – Health and Life Sciences, Health/Medical Informatics, Health Communications, Epidemiology, Health Innovation and Translational Medicine, Health Regulatory Sciences (including Pharma and Medieval Device Law, Regulatory Compliance), Health Financing, Medical Anthropology, Mental Health, Medical Technology, Occupational Health, Pharmacogenomics, Public Health, Radiology, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Sports Science
• Information Technology – Interactive Media, Data Science, Digital Animation, Game Development, Digital Innovation and Creativity, Systems Analysis
• Maritime Education – Maritime Affairs and Diplomacy, Maritime Evaluation and Assessment, Naval Architecture, Ship Design and Construction, Ship Superintendence
• Science and Math – Biotechnology, Climate and Atmospheric Science, Computational Biology and Quantitative Genetics, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, Energy Studies, Environmental Sciences, Geosciences, Geology, Marine Biology, Math and Applied Math, Meteorology, Molecular Biology, Nano Sciences, Renewable Energy Studies, Risk and Vulnerability Studies, Statistics and Applied Statistics
• Social Sciences – Anthropology, Archaeology, Conflict Development, Demography and Population Studies, Ethics and Human Rights, Economics and Applied Economics (e.g. Behavioural Economics, Development Economics, International Economics, Environmental Economics, Health Economics, etc.) Gender Studies, Studies of Ethnicity and Religions, Ethnology and Linguistics, Humanitarian Studies, Communication and Applied Studies in Communication (e.g. Media Research, Broadcast Communication, etc.), Convergence Media, Media and Information Literacy, Psychology, Social Welfare and Development
• Education – Alternative Learning System/Distance Education, Adult Education, Early Childhood Education, Higher Education, Curriculum Studies, Education Policy, Educational Leadership, Lifelong Learning, Education Technology and Innovation, Special and Inclusive Education
• Public Management and Governance – Government and Peace Building, International Relations and Transnational Issues, International Business, International Law, International Development, Public Policy
• Fields of study that are  not covered by the grant  include medicine, nursing, physical and occupational therapy, clinical psychology, medical technology, and accountancy.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Philippine citizenship
• Must meet English proficiency requirement of U.S. universities
• Has college degree preferably with major in field of specialization
• Must be able to demonstrate strong academic record
• Must have adequate knowledge that would prepare a scholar for successful study and research in a specific graduate program
• While no medical certification is required at application time, applicants must be in good health to pursue graduate studies in the U.S.  Selected grantees will be required to pass a medical examination
• Must have at least two years of teaching experience (after college) in field of specialization or professional experience relevant to the field of study and currently employed by a CHED-recognized higher education institution. Assistantships during college do not count.
• Has no pending criminal charges, and must not have been convicted for violation of any Philippine Law.
• Is committed to return to and serve the Philippines upon completion of study and fulfill all the Terms and Conditions of the grant, and comply with the HEI’s return service obligation.
• Once the applicant is accepted in the program, he/she shall enter into a tripartite contract with the sending Philippine institution and CHED for the monitoring of the re-entry action plan.
• Individuals holding dual citizenship, are permanent residents and/or are presently studying in the U.S. are not eligible.
• Students already in the U.S. are ineligible for a grant.
• Individuals who have resided in the U.S. for five (5) or more consecutive years in the past six (6) years are ineligible for a grant.

Required Documents:

• Completed online application at  https://apply.iie.org/ffsp2022  (Application is now closed.)
• Make sure to  Select/Change Award to Fulbright-CHED PhD Scholarship Program  on the Award Information portion found on the Country Information tab on your online application page.
• Official or certified true copy of transcript of records from all colleges/universities attended.
• Certified true copy of diploma (NOT ORIGINAL)
• Three letters of reference (forms are available via the online application portal)
• NBI clearance acquired in the past six (6) months.

Application period for the 2022-2023 Fulbright-CHED PhD Scholarship Program is already CLOSED . Please check our website soon for announcements.

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The 2025-26 Competition is now open. Applications must be submitted by the national deadline of October 8, 2024 at 5pm ET.

Current U.S. Student

United States citizens who are currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs are eligible to apply.If you are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a U.S. college or university, you will apply through that institution, even if you are not currently a resident there. Find the Fulbright Program Adviser on your campus.

U.S. Citizen but not a Student

If you are a U.S. citizen, will hold a bachelor’s degree by the award start date, and do not have a Ph.D. degree, then you are eligible to apply. Non-enrolled applicants should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Candidates with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program .

The Getting Started page will provide information on eligibility and next steps.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program welcomes applications in the creative and performing arts. Arts candidates for the U.S. Student Program should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Artists with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program .

Creative & Performing Arts projects fall under the Study/Research grant category and are available in all countries where Study/Research grants are offered.

U.S. Professor/Administrator

If you are a U.S. citizen and a professor or administrator at a U.S. institution and are interested in applying for a Fulbright Scholar Award, you will need to apply through fulbrightscholars.org .

To support your students in applying for a U.S. Student Program award, please connect with the Fulbright Program Adviser at your institution.

Non U.S. Citizens

If you are a non-U.S. citizen interested in applying for a Fulbright Award to the United States, you will need to apply through the Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy in your home country. Find out more information on the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program or Fulbright Foreign Student Program .

Getting Started

Study/research awards.

• English Teaching Assistant Awards
• Fulbright-National Geographic Award
• Critical Language Enhancement Award

Fulbright-Fogarty Fellowships in Public Health

• Search for a Fulbright Program Adviser
• Award Search
• Study/Research: Academic
• Study/Research: Creative & Performing Arts
• Fulbright-National Geographic
• Information Sessions
• Fulbright Online Application

2025-2026 Competition Deadline: Tuesday October 8, 2024 at 5 pm Eastern Time

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Review eligibility requirements for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program before proceeding.

Step 2: Determine Applicant Type

You will apply either through a U.S. institution or At-Large.

• If you are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a U.S. college or university, you are strongly encouraged to apply through that institution, even if you are not currently a resident there.
• If you are not currently enrolled, you may apply through your most recent U.S.-based institution that has a Fulbright Program Adviser (FPA), provided that the institution is willing and able to accommodate alumni applications. All other candidates will apply as At-Large applicants.

Application procedure for candidates applying through U.S. institutions

• The Fulbright Program Adviser (FPA) will set a campus application deadline for the institution’s students, which is typically 4-6 weeks earlier than the final October deadline. Please confirm the campus deadline with the FPA.
• All candidates applying through a U.S. institution must complete the Fulbright application through the Fulbright online application system by the campus deadline; all supporting materials as outlined in the Application Components section, must also be included by the campus deadline date. You will mark your application ‘Ready for Campus Review’ once it is complete and it will lock your application for the duration of the campus review.
• Once your application has been completed and marked ready for institutional review, the Fulbright Program Adviser will schedule a campus interview for you.
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Twenty-four Stanford affiliates are recipients of grants from the Fulbright U.S. Student Program for the 2023-24 academic year, including seniors, graduate students, and alumni.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards grants annually to more than 1,900 diverse U.S. students, artists, and early career professionals who pursue special projects in more than 140 countries. The newest Stanford grantees will travel to 17 countries, including Brazil, Chile, France, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Mexico, and Norway, where they will carry out individually designed research projects, pursue graduate study programs, or take part in English teaching assistant programs during the 2023-24 academic year.

Following are the 2023-24 Fulbright recipients affiliated with Stanford.

Anuj Amin (PhD student, Religious Studies) will work with antiquities officials and historians in Israel. Amin will also study the provenance of Aramaic incantation bowls to better understand their ritual function and their transmission into the modern day.

Leah Balter (BA Human Biology ’23) will conduct a mixed methods case study on Norway’s overlapping COVID-19 pandemic and Ukrainian refugee crisis responses.

Madeline Casas (BS Physics, BA Comparative Literature ’23) will analyze the Cosmic Microwave Background radiation using novel denoising techniques while taking courses in the master’s program in fundamental physics at l’École normale supérieure in Paris.

Danielle Cruz (BS Symbolic Systems, MS Computer Science ’23) will teach English in Brazil and produce a podcast series capturing stories and perspectives from local community members. She also plans to take dance classes in traditional Brazilian styles.

Isaiah Dawid (BA French, BS Biology ’23) will travel to France to study periodontal disease through the creation of an organoid replicating the junctional epithelium. Dawid will specifically focus on the hard tissue/soft tissue interaction.

Jierui Fang (MS Design Impact Engineering ’23) will travel to the Netherlands to investigate mycelium material futures toward wearable applications in dexterity-affected diseases. She will also examine biodesign and sociocultural influences of emerging materials.

Jessica Femenias (BA Philosophy, BA History ’23) will produce a critical historical and theoretical analysis of Haitian migrant labor in rural Dominican Republic, paying special attention to the recent wave of deportations of Dominican-Haitians.

Lauren Gillespie (PhD student, Computer Science) will combine deep learning techniques developed during her PhD, citizen science biodiversity data, and remote sensing imagery to detect patterns of plant biodiversity from the skies in Brazil.

Allison Gross (MA International Education Policy Analysis ’23) will teach English in Indonesia and explore the nuances of Indonesian culture and educational systems.

Chloe Haydel Brown (BS Symbolic Systems ’23, MS Sustainability ’25) will teach English in Argentina, with a side project teaching yoga, dance, and other movement classes.

Alex Heyer (PhD student, Chemistry) will work at KU Leuven in Belgium researching methods for low-temperature methane combustion using zeolites with applications in lowering methane’s greenhouse gas contribution.

Charlie Hoffs (BS Chemical Engineering, MS Community Health and Prevention Research ’23) will travel to Chile to work with Dr. Manuel Prieto and a coalition of Aymara herders, farmers, and organizers to develop policy strategies redirecting water, land, and public investment back to rural Arica.

Darrow Hornik (BA Spanish, MA Latin American Studies ’23) will teach English in Mexico, as well as research Mexican and Latin American artists who create work surrounding the U.S.-Mexico borderlands and understanding the contentious space.

Hannah Johnston (PhD student, History) will conduct archival research in Italy on procurers (“pimps”) and their connections to the broader working worlds of Venice and Rome in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Meagan Khoury (PhD student, Art History) will travel to Italy to research and redirect ideas about early modern feminism away from only the most visible women, and instead center on women’s collective labor and creative networks through the lens of 17th-century Italian embroidery.

Christopher Knight (PhD student, Biology) will use unique underwater CO 2 vent systems in Ischia, Italy, to investigate how ocean acidification will impact the nutritional quality of seafood and its implications for human health.

Elizabeth Nguyen (BS Computer Science ’23) will write a short story collection – inspired by research in Vietnam’s history of militarized women – spanning the Trung sisters and modern-day mandatory military training.

Erica Okine (BA Psychology ’23) will travel to Germany to study the impact of orthodontic tooth movement on jaw tissues, which can enhance treatment accessibility, benefiting oral health.

Stephen Queener (BA International Relations ’23) will study human rights at the Friedrich-Alexander Universität in Nuremberg, Germany, to prepare for an impactful career focused on uplifting the voices of atrocity victims.

Andrew Song (BS Human Biology ’23) will pursue an MSc in bioinformatics and theoretical systems biology at Imperial College London. He will conduct research in axonal regeneration and restorative neuroscience, host music therapy sessions at hospitals, and open a tennis clinic for children with autism.

Lauren Urbont (PhD student, History) will conduct research in Israel on practices related to death and mourning among the Jews of medieval German lands between 1100 and 1350.

Valerie Wang (MS Applied Physics ’22) will investigate predictive precursors to multiple sclerosis using magnetic resonance brain imaging and AI approaches at the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology in Poland.

Katherine Whatley (PhD student, Japanese Literature) will investigate the connection between text and song in pre-modern Japan and examine the musical aspects of classical Japanese literature to create original compositions for the koto (transverse Japanese harp) inspired by ancient Japanese songs and poems.

Emily Wong (BS Mechanical Engineering ’23) will travel to Germany to create a robotic fish that uses artificial intelligence to imitate the electric organ discharges of Mormyrid weakly electric fish, to better understand this method of communication.

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FULBRIGHT UPDATE: UKRAINE AND RUSSIA

We are currently supporting Ukrainian and Russian Fulbrighters who continue to carry out their programs in the United States. The Fulbright Program is actively monitoring the situation and hope to continue future programming in the region when circumstances allow.

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Fulbright Scholar takes aim at sustainable food systems in Indonesia

Lala fadila, mph ’24.

• Nutritional Sciences

April 26, 2024

Lala Sri Fadila, MPH ’24, grew up on the Indonesian island of Bangka in an environment where quality education opportunities were unevenly distributed. With her parents’ support and considerable self-motivation, however, she not only pursued higher education but also mastered English through self-instruction—a skill she initially honed through video games as a child.

Now, she will graduate in May from the University of Michigan School of Public Health with a Master of Public Health in Nutritional Sciences .

“I'm grateful for the privilege that my parents provided for me, so I was able to look for additional knowledge and skills myself beyond what was taught in school, particularly the most important one that has helped me get to this point, English,” she said. “I taught myself English when I was in elementary school.

“I played a lot of video games with my siblings when I was a kid. We had a PlayStation, and all the games were in English, so that was my initial experience learning English by myself.”

This spirit of self-improvement led her to an undergraduate degree in Nutrition Science at Universitas Gadjah Mada in Indonesia. There, she cultivated an interest in public health, identifying the need for initiatives focused on prevention rather than solely on treatment.

Fulbright Scholarship and choosing Michigan Public Health

In 2021, as one of the 19 Indonesians selected for the prestigious Fulbright Foreign Student program out of thousands of applicants, Fadila began her journey to the University of Michigan School of Public Health. The scholarship recognized her potential impact in public health, providing full tuition, a stipend and fostering an extensive professional network with like-minded scholars.

“The Fulbright has been more than a scholarship; it is a community that allows exchange of ideas and experiences across the globe,” said Fadila, reflecting on the many connections she has forged with other Fulbright Scholars in Ann Arbor and beyond.

The most compelling reason why I chose Nutritional Sciences is because of the flexibility in the curriculum. It allowed me to spend credits on subjects I never explored before, which is vital for my professional growth.”

Inspired by the Singapore Indonesia Youth Leaders exchange program she participated in 2019 that focused on climate change, Fadila sought a graduate program compatible with her growing interest in the intersection of nutrition, public health and environmental sustainability.

It came down to Michigan and the University of Washington, and she preferred Michigan Public Health because of its robust program and Nutritional Sciences’ focus on sustainable food systems—a critical area of study aligning with her passion and Indonesia’s pressing environmental concerns. She also considered the appeal of Ann Arbor, mirroring the close-knit community she cherished back home on Bangka Island.

“I was looking for a city not too big and crowded and Ann Arbor just felt right—perfect to live in and study,” said Fadila, who, in addition to the Fulbright Scholarship, is supported by the Maxine Moore Forsyth Scholarship .

Supportive environment and professional growth

“The most compelling reason why I chose Nutritional Sciences is because of the flexibility in the curriculum. It allowed me to spend credits on subjects I never explored before, which is vital for my professional growth.

“I took a lot of elective classes outside of the School of Public Health. For example, I took sustainable food system classes in SEAS (the School for Environment and Sustainability), and I currently take a climate and development class in SEAS as well. Learning more about nutrition, now in English, also is an important skill for me.”

She also is thankful for the support she received from the academic staff at Michigan Public Health, specifically Andy Jones, her academic adviser, and Carole Durgy, program coordinator for Nutritional Sciences.

“They’ve been incredibly supportive throughout my entire journey, assisting me, answering questions and guiding my transition to the United States,” Fadila said.

Besides nutrition, she also found health promotion and education to be necessary points of focus.

“I am passionate about empowering individuals and communities to make informed decisions about their health and well-being,” Fadila said. “I think that it is important for us, as public health professionals, to provide the education and promotion of those efforts. We have the opportunity not only to raise awareness about health issues but also to inspire behavioral change.

“I'm particularly interested in understanding the factors that influence health behaviors and how we can effectively translate what we know about health and nutrition into actionable steps for individuals and communities.”

I am passionate about empowering individuals and communities to make informed decisions about their health and well-being. I think that it is important for us, as public health professionals, to provide the education and promotion of those efforts. We have the opportunity not only to raise awareness about health issues but also to inspire behavioral change.”

She gained valuable experience in 2023 as a This Is Public Health (TIPH) ambassador with the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH), helping to raise awareness about the field of public health by leading virtual events, taking over the TIPH (This is Public Health) social media accounts, and assisting with projects to grow interest in public health education and careers. She earned this position after serving as an Michigan Public Health admissions ambassador for a year and being one of two students nominated by the school.

Fadila also worked as a nutrition program assistant with Michigan Dining, assisting the nutrition specialist in analyzing and auditing recipes and ingredients based on their nutritional value, allergens, mHealthy and carbon emission traits.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic coincided with her professional interest in public health, cementing her decision to delve deeper into the subject.

“The pandemic changed our lives but also highlighted how crucial public health is,” said Fadila, whose experiences during this pivotal moment fueled her desire to broaden her knowledge and play a more active role in health education and prevention.

Empathy and looking ahead

Fadila views empathy as a cornerstone of effective public health strategy. Her education at Michigan Public Health has reinforced the importance of understanding diverse perspectives to tailor health initiatives that resonate with various communities.

“We are trained at the school to possess a unique blend of skills, knowledge and compassion,” she said. “For example, as a nutrition student, I learned about epidemiology and statistics, subjects that will enable me to excel as a public health professional. Also, I think the most important skill that every public health professional should have is empathy. I realized during the COVID-19 pandemic that empathy will allow public health professionals to understand and appreciate diverse perspectives of individuals and communities.

“By considering unique circumstances individuals and communities face, we can plan a strategy or initiatives to be more effective and culturally relevant. Empathy was also emphasized here at Michigan Public Health.”

After graduation, Fadila’s plans to return to Indonesia to fulfill her Fulbright scholarship’s requirement. She aims to apply her newly honed expertise in community health education to promote sustainable diets.

“In the next few years, I hope to involve myself in community-based projects that focus on sustainable food systems in Indonesia,” said Fadila, whose long-term plan also could include pursuing a PhD to further her exploration of how to effect positive nutritional behaviors through educational campaigns.

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Eleven from MIT awarded 2024 Fulbright fellowships

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Eleven MIT undergraduates, graduate students, and alumni have won Fulbright grants to embark on projects overseas in the 2024-25 grant cycle. Two other students were offered awards but declined them to pursue other opportunities.

Funded by the U.S. Department of State, the Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers year-long opportunities for American citizen students and recent alumni to conduct independent research, pursue graduate studies, or teach English in over 140 countries.

MIT has been a Fulbright Top-Producing Institution for five years in a row. MIT students and alumni interested in applying to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program should contact Julia Mongo, MIT Fulbright program advisor, in the Office of Distinguished Fellowships in Career Advising and Professional Development.

April Cheng is a junior studying physics with a minor in mathematics and is fast-tracked to graduate this spring. They will take their Fulbright research grant to the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics in Potsdam, Germany, where they will study different statistical techniques to infer the expansion rate of the universe from gravitational waves. They first developed an interest in gravitational waves and black holes at the MIT LIGO and Caltech LIGO labs, but their research spans a wide range of topics in astrophysics, including cosmology and fast radio bursts. Cheng is passionate about physics education and is heavily involved in developing educational materials for high school Science Olympiads. At MIT, they are a member of the Physics Values Committee, the physics mentorship program, and the MIT Lion Dance team. After Fulbright, Cheng will pursue a PhD in astrophysics at Princeton University, where they have received the President’s Fellowship.

Grace McMillan is a senior majoring in literature and mechanical engineering with a concentration in Russian language. As a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award recipient, she will teach at a university in Kazakhstan. McMillan’s interest in Central Asia was sparked by a Russian language immersion program she participated in during her sophomore summer in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, funded by MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI). She is excited to help her students learn English to foster integration into the global academic community. During her time at MIT, McMillan has conducted research with faculty in nuclear science; earth, atmospheric, and planetary sciences; and the Digital Humanities Lab. Outside of academics, she has been an active member of her sorority, Sigma Kappa, and has served on the MIT Health Consumers’ Advisory Council for two years. After Fulbright, McMillan hopes to attend law school, focusing on education reform.

Ryan McTigue will graduate this spring with a BS in physics and mathematics and a concentration in Spanish. With a Fulbright award to Spain, he will do research at the University of Valencia’s Institute of Molecular Science focusing on the physics of two-dimensional multiferroic nanodevices. He is looking forward to improving his Spanish and getting the opportunity to live abroad. At MIT, McTigue became interested in condensed matter physics research with the Checkelsky group, where he focused on engineering materials with flat bands that exhibited correlated electron effects. Outside of research, McTigue has been a mentor in the physics department’s mentoring program and a member of the heavyweight men’s crew team. After his Fulbright grant, McTigue will begin a PhD in physics at Princeton University.

Keith Murray ’22 graduated from MIT with a BS in computation and cognition and linguistics and philosophy. He will receive his MEng degree in computation and cognition this spring. As a Fulbright Hungary research grantee at the HUN-REN Wigner Research Centre for Physics, Murray will design generative AI models inspired by the primary visual cortex with the goal of making AI models more interpretable. At MIT, Murray’s research experiences spanned from training mice to perform navigation tasks in virtual reality to theorizing about how neurons might compute modular arithmetic. He was also a member of the men’s heavyweight crew team and the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. After Fulbright, Murray will pursue a PhD in neuroscience at Princeton University.

Maaya Prasad ’22 completed her undergraduate education at MIT with degrees in both electrical engineering and creative writing and will graduate this month with an MS in mechanical and ocean engineering. Her thesis research focuses on microplastic detection using optical sensing. Prasad’s Fulbright fellowship will take her to Mauritius, an East African island country located in the Indian Ocean. Here, she will continue her master’s research at the University of Mauritius and will work with local researchers to implement a microplastic survey system. While at MIT, Prasad joined the varsity sailing team with no prior experience. Her time spent on the water led her to pursue marine research at MIT Sea Grant, and she eventually earned an honorable mention to the 2023 All-American Sailing Team. After Fulbright, Prasad hopes to pursue a PhD in applied ocean engineering.

Anusha Puri is a senior majoring in biological engineering. Her Fulbright award will take her to Lausanne, Switzerland, where she will conduct cancer immunology research at the Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research. At MIT, Puri’s work in the Weinberg Lab focused on understanding mechanisms that drive resistance of breast cancer to immunotherapy. On campus, she founded and serves as president of MIT’s premiere stand-up comedy group, Stand-Up CoMITy, leads MIT’s Bhangra dance team, and is the editor-in-chief of the MIT Undergraduate Research Journal . She looks forward to engaging with teaching outreach and practicing her French in Switzerland. After her Fulbright grant, she plans to pursue a PhD in biomedical science.

Olivia Rosenstein will graduate this spring with a BS in physics and a minor in French. Her Fulbright will take her to ENS Paris-Saclay in Palaiseau, France, where she’ll deepen her education in atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) physics. At MIT, Rosenstein has worked in Professor Mark Vogelsberger’s group researching models of galaxy formation and the early universe, and in Professor Richard Fletcher’s group on an erbium-lithium experiment to investigate quantum many-body dynamics in a degenerate mixture. In France, she will expand on the skills she developed in Fletcher’s lab by contributing to a project using optical tweezer arrays to study dipolar interactions. After Fulbright, Rosenstein plans to return to the United States to pursue a PhD in experimental AMO at Caltech.

Jennifer Schug willreceive this spring an MEng degree in the Climate, Environment, and Sustainability track within the MIT Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. During her Fulbright year in Italy, she will conduct research on carbon storage in the Venice lagoon at the University of Padua. Schug is excited to build upon her research with the Terrer Lab at MIT, where she is currently investigating the effectiveness of forestation as a carbon sequestration strategy. She also looks forward to improving her Italian language skills and learning about Italian history and culture. Before beginning Fulbright this fall, Schug will study ecological preservation in Sicily this summer through an MIT-Italy collaboration with the University of Catania. After Fulbright, she hopes to continue researching nature-based solutions as climate change mitigation strategies.

Vaibhavi Shah ’21 earned a BS in biological engineering and in science, technology, and society at MIT, where she was named a Goldwater Scholar. She is now a medical student at Stanford University. As a Fulbright-Fogarty Fellow in Public Health, Shah will use both her computational and humanities backgrounds to investigate sociocultural factors underlying traumatic surgical injuries in Nepal. While at MIT, she was on the executive board of GlobeMed and the Society of Women Engineers, and she hopes to use those experiences to amplify diverse voices in medicine while on her journey to becoming a neurosurgeon-scientist. After Fulbright, Shah will complete her final year of medical school.

Charvi Sharma is a senior studying computer science and molecular biology with a minor in theater arts. As a Fulbright English teaching assistant in Spain, she is excited to engage in cross-cultural exchange while furthering her skills as a teacher and as a leader. In addition to teaching, Sharma looks forward to immersing herself in the country’s vibrant traditions, improving her Spanish proficiency, and delving into the local arts and dance scene. At MIT, through Global Teaching Labs Spain and her roles as a dynaMIT mentor, an associate advisor, and a captain and president of her dance teams Mirchi and Nritya, Sharma has served as a teacher of both STEM and dance. Her passion for making a difference in her community is also evident through her work with Boston Medical Center’s Autism Program through the PKG Public Service Center and as an undergraduate cancer researcher in the Yaffe Lab. After Fulbright, Sharma plans to pursue an MD and, ultimately, a career as a clinician-scientist.

Isabella Witham is a senior majoring in biological engineering. As a recipient of the Fulbright U.S.-Korea Presidential STEM Initiative Award, she will conduct research at Seoul National University’s Biomimetic Materials and Stem Cell Engineering Lab. Her work will involve creating biomimetic scaffolds for pancreatic cell transplantation to treat type I diabetes. While in South Korea, Witham aims to improve her language skills and explore cultural sites and cities. At MIT, she worked in the Belcher Lab on nanoparticle formulations, was a tutor for MIT’s Women’s Technology Program, and volunteered as a Medlink. After her Fulbright fellowship, she plans to pursue a PhD in biological engineering.

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