FY 2027 Fulbright Scholar Program

The Fulbright Scholar Program is administered by the U.S. Department of State through its Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), a federal entity responsible for advancing U.S. foreign policy through educational and cultural exchange. Established under the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, commonly known as the Fulbright-Hays Act, the program aims to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries. It is one of the most widely recognized international exchange programs globally, operating in more than 160 countries and supporting thousands of participants annually across academic and professional disciplines. The FY Fulbright Scholar Program funding opportunity seeks a single implementing organization to manage and administer a large-scale international exchange program for scholars. This includes facilitating approximately 970 U.S. scholars traveling abroad and approximately 1,025 visiting scholars coming to the United States. These scholars engage in teaching, research, and collaborative academic activities. The selected recipient organization will oversee a wide range of programmatic components, including recruitment, selection, placement, orientation, and ongoing support, as well as specialized initiatives such as the Scholar-in-Residence Program, Global Scholars Program, and International Education Administrator seminars. Funding for this opportunity is provided through a cooperative agreement, indicating substantial involvement by the Department of State in program implementation. The total available funding is approximately 8650000 dollars, with one anticipated award. The period of performance is 60 months, with the possibility of renewal for up to four additional years based on performance and funding availability. Funds may be used to support program administration, outreach, participant services, evaluation, and other operational components necessary to execute the Fulbright Scholar Program. Certain restrictions apply, including prohibitions on funding specific international activities and compliance with federal regulations. Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based nonprofit organizations and public or private educational institutions. Applicants must demonstrate at least four years of experience conducting international exchange programs due to the size of the award. Additional requirements include maintaining active registration in SAM.gov, possessing a Unique Entity Identifier, and submitting a complete application package with required federal forms and supporting documentation. Only one proposal per organization is permitted, and proposals must strictly adhere to the guidelines outlined in the solicitation. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov by the stated deadline. Required components include a standard federal application form, executive summary, detailed proposal narrative, budget forms, and supporting documentation. The application must also include a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation plan aligned with the ECA’s MODE Framework, outlining measurable objectives and indicators. Applications are reviewed based on program quality, organizational capacity, planning, monitoring approach, and cost-effectiveness. Final award decisions are made by the Assistant Secretary of ECA. The application deadline is August 14, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. The anticipated award date is October 1, 2026. Following submission, applications undergo a multi-stage review process including technical eligibility screening, panel evaluation, and compliance review. Successful applicants will enter into a cooperative agreement and must comply with extensive reporting requirements, including financial reports, performance monitoring data, and final program evaluations. Overall, this funding opportunity represents a significant federal investment in international academic exchange and requires a highly experienced organization capable of managing a complex, multi-year global program. The Fulbright Scholar Program continues to serve as a cornerstone of U.S. public diplomacy by fostering cross-cultural understanding, advancing academic collaboration, and building long-term international partnerships.

Align proposal closely with stated evaluation criteria including program quality, institutional capacity, and monitoring plan; demonstrate strong international exchange experience; ensure strict compliance with submission requirements and formatting guidelines