The Fulbright U.S. Student Program (FUSP) is designed to give recent B.S./B.A. graduates, master’s and doctoral candidates, and young professionals and artists opportunities for personal development and international experience.
Projects can include university coursework, independent library or field research, teaching English, classes in a music conservatory or art school, special projects in the social or life sciences, or a combination.
Along with opportunities for intellectual, professional and artistic growth, the Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers valuable opportunities to meet and work with people of the host country, sharing daily life as well as professional and creative insights. The program promotes cross-cultural interaction and mutual understanding on a person-to-person basis in an atmosphere of openness, academic integrity, and intellectual freedom.
The 2027-2028 Fulbright US Student Program competition has opened and we have a number of events planned for the month of April for those who want to learn more and those who want to get started on their application!
** Fulbright US Student Program ONLINE information session
Wednesday, April 8, 5-6pm CDT via Zoom
Learn more and register at https://go.wisc.edu/FUSPinfosession
** Fulbright US Student Program IN-PERSON information session
Tuesday, April 14, 4-5pm CDT in 260 Bascom Hall, refreshments will be served
Learn more and register at https://go.wisc.edu/FUSPinfosession
Fulbright Turkey ONLINE information session – learn about all the opportunities available in Turkey from commission staff
Thursday, April 16, 9-10am CDT via Zoom
Learn more and register at https://go.wisc.edu/FulbrightTurkey
Fulbright US Student Program Application Workshop Overview ONLINE
Thursday, April 23, 5-6pm CDT via Zoom
Learn more and register at https://go.wisc.edu/FUSPworkshop
** Fulbright US Student Program ONLINE Group Presentation Session
Tuesday, April 28, 2-3:15pm CDT via Zoom
Learn more and register at https://apply.iie.org/register/GPS4-4.28.26
The three information sessions above marked with ** will be largely the same so you need only attend one. Interested UW-Madison students, alumni, and staff are welcome to attend as many of the events as you wish! Join us to learn more about all that you can accomplish through Fulbright!
Applicants and potential applicants!! Please continue reading below…
The 2027-2028 Fulbright U.S. Student Program competition opened on March 31, 2026.
UW-Madison campus deadline for 2027-2028 awards is 10:00am CDT, Wednesday, September 9, 2026.
National deadline for 2027-2028 awards is 4:00pm CDT, Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
Applicants
Undergraduates, graduate students, alumni, staff
Field(s)
Research, teaching English, graduate study, creative & performing arts
Open to
U.S. citizens
Program duration
8-12 months
Award amount
Varies by country and award: all awards include round-trip airfare, overseas insurance, and a living stipend
Application deadlines (2027-2028 competition)
Attachments A&B due: 10am CDT, September 7, 2026
Campus deadline: 10am CDT, September 9, 2026
National deadline: 4pm CDT, October 6, 2026
Apply
ELIGIBILTY
You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program (FUSP).
Currently enrolled UW-Madison students (both undergraduate and graduate) and alumni should select “University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI” as your selected school.
Undergraduates who will have graduated by the start of the award term, graduate students at all levels, and alumni are eligible to apply for a FUSP.
UW-Madison alumni not in a graduate program at another institution are both invited and strongly encouraged to apply through the UW-Madison! Applicants do not have to be currently enrolled in an academic program to be eligible for a FUSP. Alumni interested in applying and with questions should contact Mark Lilleleht, the UW-Madison’s Fulbright Coordinator, at uwfulbright@wisc.edu or book an appointment to discuss your interest.
APPLYING
All applicants applying through UW-Madison must follow campus instructions & deadlines:
- Applicants must submit Attachments A & B by 10:00am CDT, Monday, September 7, 2026 (these are currently being prepared and will be available by mid-April 2026).
- The deadline to mark your 2027-2028 FUSP application “ready for campus review” is 10:00am CDT, Wednesday, September 9, 2026.
- The final, national deadline to submit your application to Fulbright for 2027-2028 awards is 4:00pm CDT, Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
Read and review ALL of the documents below (updated for the 2027-2028 competition):
- Read First: Quick Guide to the FUSP Application Timeline
- FUSP @ UW-Madison: Campus Instructions
- Attachment A (waiver) & Attachment B (campus review availability) – these are currently being prepared and will be available by mid-April 2026
Each applicant is responsible for submitting a complete and correct application. Mark Lilleleht, UW-Madison’s Fulbright Coordinator, is available to answer questions about the application requirements, process, as well as comment on drafts of application essays. Email uwfulbright@wisc.edu with questions. Applicants are advised to read all instructions on the Fulbright U.S. Student Program website and the campus documents (above).
Applicants must mark their application “ready for campus review” through the FUSP application portal by the campus deadline (10:00am CDT, Wednesday, September 9, 2026). Soon thereafter applications are unmarked and applicants can continue to revise and edit their applications up to the national deadline. All applicants must submit the final version of their applications by the national deadline of 4pm CDT, Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
RESOURCES
We have proposals & statements (a key part of every FUSP application) of previous UW-Madison Fulbright U.S. Student Program recipients available for review. Please email Mark at uwfulbright@wisc.edu requesting access. Please be sure to indicate what award type you are interested in seeing the statements for: ETA or Research/Study/Arts.
We are currently scheduling an application workshop series – details will be forthcoming shortly.
We will be facilitating peer review groups for the 2027-2028 FUSP application cycle again. If you are interested in being matched with fellow UW-Madison FUSP applicant/s to review and provide feedback on FUSP statements and short answer questions, please email uwfubright@wisc.edu to be added to the peer review pool.
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
Any student enrolled in a Master’s or PhD program at UW-Madison during the course of their Fulbright U.S. Student Program award will have the value of the International Academic Programs graduate course fee for that period paid to them as a scholarship by the Graduate School. The UW-Madison’s Fulbright Coordinator will be responsible for notifying the Graduate School of the amount and duration of the IAP program fees for students who accept these awards.