European Union
4 Open Study/Research Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodFall StartGrant Length6-9 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
The Fulbright-Schuman Program, administered by the Commission for Educational Exchange between the United States of America, Belgium and Luxembourg, is jointly financed by the U.S. State Department and the Directorate-General for Education and Culture of the European Commission. The latter funds projects exclusively dealing with US-EU relations, EU institutions, and EU policy. Awards are available to American students and professionals, including professionals in training – e.g. decision-makers, policy-makers, individuals in industry, the media, politics, academia, and public administration – who wish to study, research, or lecture on a topic relevant to US-EU relations, EU policy, or EU institutions.
The projects can only take place in EU Member States: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
Grant Length
Grant Period
The standard grant is for a duration of 9 months, but applications for grant periods of 6 to 9 months will be considered. Grants will follow the academic calendar, beginning in mid-September 2025 and concluding in mid-June 2026. Candidates wishing to begin the grant period at another time should explicitly state this in their application.
Orientation
Prior to departure from the U.S., the Fulbright Commission will organize a virtual pre-departure orientation for grantees on the Fulbright-Schuman Program. In addition, grantees will be placed in contact with the local Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy in their host country or countries and may be invited to additional in-country orientation programming.
Candidate Profile
Grants for research topics are awarded to U.S. students and young professionals at all degree levels and in all fields of study. Preference will be given to applicants with two years of relevant professional or academic experience beyond the Bachelor’s degree who plan to carry out their project in at least two EU member states.
Although applications are accepted in all fields of study, relevance to US-EU relations, EU policy, or EU institutions is crucial. Project proposals should focus on observing comparative perspectives on issues of common concern or with reference to EU policy. Proposals may address topics such as the agricultural and environmental policies, asylum, development, energy, EU enlargement, EU and NATO, finance, human rights, human trafficking, internal and external security, justice and home affairs, peace-keeping, and trade. This list of topics is indicative, not exhaustive.
Areas of study must relate to European Union competencies and not merely "Europe" or the countries of Europe. Proposals that focus on only one or two European countries and do not demonstrate a “European added value” will not be considered. In 2025-26, preference may be given to candidates who propose projects based at least partially in Eastern or Central Europe.
For all awards, the Commission seeks applicants who:
- Demonstrate professional and academic excellence;
- Outline a strong rationale and methodology for pursuing their project in Europe and specifically in the proposed EU Member States;
- Possess qualities of a cultural ambassador and show genuine interest in promoting mutual understanding as a Fulbright grantee; and
- Indicate how they will benefit US-EU relations during and after their grant period.
Diversity Statement
The Fulbright Commission in Brussels is actively looking for candidates for the US Student program with diverse backgrounds or projects that they would like to implement in Europe. We are committed to recruiting a diverse cohort of grantees to Belgium to highlight the vast plethora of talent and qualifications that the United States has to offer. In addition to the traditional academic background, we also encourage applications from professionals, researchers or candidates with significant experience in the field they would like to do research in. Professionals could be policy-makers, policy analysts, researchers at think tanks, non-profit organizations (NGOs), associations, learned societies, foundations, decision-makers at state or federal government offices and individuals in industry or the media with relevant professional experience for their proposed project. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list. Candidates with extensive experience should strongly consider applying for the US Scholar Program.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
The Fulbright Schuman Program offers a unique opportunity to do research in multiple EU Member States. The wide diversity of opportunities cannot be highlighted thoroughly here, but candidates are invited to read more about the EU here.
Fulbright Schuman grantees are selected and have their grants administered by the Fulbright Commission in Brussels, but are also put in touch with the Fulbright Post/Commission in the host country (or countries) of their project. That means they have the chance to meet grantees across Europe, get invited to a plethora of events and live and do research in multiple EU countries if it makes sense for their research project.
Eligibility
Applicants who hold citizenship in an EU Member State or are residing within the European Union at the time of application are not prohibited from applying to the Fulbright-Schuman Program. However, candidates should consider the eligibility rules for the Fulbright Program in the countries to which they are applying. The Fulbright Commission in Brussels will defer to the guidance from the individual Fulbright Commissions and relevant U.S. Embassies.
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
Special Application Instructions
In your Fulbright Online Application, please select European Union under Country to Which You are Applying.
Applicants must include a timeline of the proposed project in the statement of grant purpose. Please include the proposed start and end month in the host country(-ies).
Foreign Language Proficiency
Foreign language proficiency is not required. However, candidates should consider how foreign language proficiency will affect the feasibility of their proposed projects and are encouraged to address this in their applications, either by demonstrating proficiency in the local language(s) or identifying available English language resources. Upon selection, some study of the local language prior to arrival is encouraged to promote deeper engagement with the host community.
Fulbright Proposal Types
Yes
No
Affiliation
Letter recommended but not required at deadline
Affiliation letters are not required at the time of application, but will be required before starting on the grant. Applicants are responsible for arranging affiliations and for submitting supporting documentation for each institution with which they plan to affiliate. This documentation should specify dates and length of time to be spent at each location. See more information below about spending time in multiple EU Member States.
Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Grant benefits are not meant to cover any affiliation fees or tuition.
Award Benefits
- A stipend broadly based on the cost of living in the host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to support housing, meals, and incidental costs during the grant period.
- International travel benefits
- Accident & sickness health benefits
- 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
- 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
Stipend Amount
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
Grantees in this award are expected to receive €2,000/month to cover living expenses while in Europe and facilitate travel around the region as needed for the project. These amounts are subject to change and are only confirmed once successful candidates have signed their Terms of Award with the Fulbright Commission in Brussels.
One-Time Allowances
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
- International relocation allowance (for multi-country grants only)
Grantees in this award are expected to receive a one-time travel stipend currently set at €2,000 to cover the cost of round-trip flights to/from the EU, the costs of applying for the visa and the residence permit process once in the host country, and other miscellaneous requirements linked to the grant, including travel for research. These amounts are subject to change and are only confirmed once successful candidates have signed their Terms of Award with the Fulbright Commission in Brussels.
Additional Grant Benefits
- Mid-year seminar
All participants in the Fulbright Schuman Program will be invited to join Fulbright grantees from across Europe at the annual Fulbright Seminar on the European Union and NATO, hosted by the Fulbright Commission in Brussels, in February 2025. Highlights of the annual seminar include visits to the European Court of Justice, the European Commission, the U.S. Mission to the EU, and NATO Headquarters. Past participants have also had an opportunity to learn more about the culture and history of Belgium and Luxembourg through tours of Luxembourg City, Brussels, and Bruges as well as visits to the Bastogne War Museum and College of Europe. The Fulbright Commission will cover the cost of participation in the seminar as well as the cost of travel from the host country to/from Brussels.
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
Cost of living varies widely across the EU. Grantees are invited to do research on their intended host institutions using a website like Numbeo to compare their options.
Dependents
The Fulbright Commission in Brussels does not provide financial support to grantees bringing dependents, but some host country Commissions/Posts do provide additional information for how to bring dependents on the grant. Any dependents wishing to come to Europe for more than 90 days in any 180-day period will be required to apply for a visa as well. This is typically done at the same time as the visa application for the grantee, depending on the law in the host country.
Please keep in mind that childcare is difficult to come by in some EU countries, so bringing young children can pose additional challenges. Enrollment in primary or secondary schools is possible in most cases for grantees staying in Europe for longer than 90 days. More resources can be provided on a case by case basis.
Housing Arrangements
Fulbright grantees are responsible for arranging their own housing. Advice will be provided by the host Fulbright Commission/Post during the pre-departure period.
Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Multiple Host Institutions & Countries
The ability to affiliate with multiple host institutions and divide up the grant among multiple EU Member States often draws candidates to the Fulbright-Schuman Program. However, the decision to spend time in multiple countries comes with additional logistical challenges that candidates are expected to consider.
Selection Committee Preference: Although preference has traditionally been given to applicants who plan to carry out their project in at least two EU member states, project proposals including only one city or university program with significant ties to European Union institutions and studies will be considered. Candidates may wish to consider identifying a primary host institution and country, and organizing additional brief trips for grant-related research.
Visa Considerations: Please note that a visa will be needed for stays of more than 90 days in an EU Member State. Candidates should take this into consideration when planning the duration of stay, as they may need multiple visas for projects carried out in more than one EU Member State.
Relocation Costs: Applicants applying for multiple host countries should be prepared for the logistical challenges associated with moving. Grantees who must move between member states will not receive additional funding for the cost of their travel within the European Union.
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Additional Online Resources
Fulbright Blog Posts: http://www.fulbrightschuman.eu/category/americans-in-eu/