The 2025-2026 application is now closed. The 2026-2027 competition will open in Spring 2025.

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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.

Artist

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.

FPA

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.

United Kingdom

1 Fulbright/University of Reading Award in Food Security

Accepted Degree Levels
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
Grant Period
Fall Start
Grant Length
10 Months
Award Type
Special Study/Research
Specialized Grant Types
  • Science/Public Health
  • Environmental
Fulbright Graduate Degree Grants
  • Yes
Award Profile

The Fulbright University of Reading Award in Food Security offers funding for a Master's or PhD in Food and Nutritional Sciences. 

The Fulbright University of Reading Award in Food Security offers funding for the following Master’s and PhD programmes in Food and Nutritional Sciences: 

This award is possible through generous legacy gifts by Harry and Jean Nursten to the University of Reading and to the US-UK Fulbright Commission. Harry Nursten was a Fulbrighter and a leading food scientist who chaired the University of Reading’s Food Science Department for 16 years. His experiences as a Fulbright Scholar were transformative both to his career and to food science in the UK. Jean Nursten was a noted sociologist who was also affiliated with the University of Reading. Both were committed to advancing knowledge, promoting civic engagement and developing students to be compassionate leaders, which align with the values of both the Department and the Commission. 

An added attraction about this award is that it is paired with the Fulbright Nursten Award in Food Security for a British postgraduate student (also made possible thanks to the legacy gift from Harry and Jean Nursten). As part of their award both students will be required to collaborate on an initiative to share information and research on food security with the wider public on both sides of the Atlantic. The form this initiative takes will be up to the two students to develop with support from the US-UK Fulbright Commission. 

Reading is a Top 30 UK University (QS World University Rankings, 2022) based in the South East of England, 25 minutes from central London by train. 

Founded in 1892 as a University of Oxford extension college, Reading gained its Royal Charter in 1926. Every year the University of Reading welcomes in excess of 4,500 international students form around 160 countries to study. Reading is a campus university offering on-site student accommodation, and its beautiful parkland campus, Whiteknights, won the Green Flag Award for the top university green space in the UK for the 12th time in 2023. 
 
The Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences is a global player in food and health research. Students benefit from access to the largest range of dedicated food laboratories in a UK university, extensive links with industry, and expert academics who work on cutting-edge research. The University of Reading is in the top 10 universities for food science in the UK (5th in The Times Good University Guide for Food Science, 2023). 
 
Students also have the opportunity to use an extensive range of facilities, which are primarily used for supporting teaching and learning. These include: 

  • A large pilot plant, containing almost 1100m2 of floor space devoted to approximately £4m worth of food development equipment 
  • Advanced taste panel facilities 
  • Specialist research laboratories for assessing human gut microflora

The University of Reading is a research intensive university and the research environment within Food Sciences, has been judged to be conducive to produce world leading and internationally excellent research (REF, 2021 – Agriculture, Veterinary and Food Science). Its academics strive to produce impactful world leading research that will improve the quality and nutrition of food that will deliver real benefits for society. 

 

Grant Length
10 Months
Grant Period
Fall Start

Master's programs in the UK may last up to 1 year (and in rare circumstances, 2 years). Unless otherwise stated, funding is provided for the first year of the degree - although the grant period is 10 months, tuition waivers cover the entire first year and student visas are not impacted by grant length. 

Stipend amounts are set and do not change based on length of the degree.

Orientation
In-Country Orientation
Candidate Profile

The Commission is seeking applicants who demonstrate:

  • Rigor in scholarly enquiry and academic or professional excellence
  • Strong reasons for wishing to pursue the proposed project in the UK and at a particular institution
  • A desire to gain a better understanding of the peoples and cultures of their host country
  • Commitment to the community through volunteer and extra-curricular activities
  • Flexibility and dynamism necessary for active involvement in the host country
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?

Step into Fulbright in the United Kingdom—a vibrant exchange opportunity that has weaved strong bonds between the UK and the US since 1948. From the buzzing energy of large metropolitan cities to the charm of quaint towns, daily life as a Fulbright Postgraduate to the United Kingdom offers a wide array of experiences. Our awards unfold across the UK's diverse landscapes throughout England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

Navigating the country is made easy with efficient public transportation networks, allowing scholars to explore cities, countryside, and coastlines. Throughout the year, grantees engage in cultural events and festivals, immersing themselves in the arts, music, and local traditions. To name a few opportunities, previous Fulbrighters have participated in Highland games, organised writing workshops in picturesque locations, and visited National Trust properties across the UK.

With over 160 universities, the UK is home to innovative and globally significant research and teaching projects spanning all disciplines and sectors. Fulbright awards are offered across all 4 nations and the British Virgin Islands, with a range of all disciplines awards and subject-specific awards.

Candidates interested in applying for an award in the United Kingdom are advised to visit the US-UK Fulbright Commission's website for more information on the awards offered by the Commission and to hear from our alumni community.  

Explore firsthand accounts from US Postgraduates like Asael Rodriguez, who engaged with his host community of Canterbury through volunteering opportunities, and Katelyn Barnes and Paul Kyumin Lee, who deepened their work in peacebuilding and conflict resolution while researching in Belfast.  

 

Hear about Fulbright experiences from Cesar Cortorreal, 2022-23 Postgraduate Awardee here: 

 

 

Applicants may also wish to consult Universities UK, Universities Scotland, Universities Wales, and UK Research and Innovation for more information about higher education in the UK.  

Applicants may contact the US-UK Fulbright Commission with any queries by emailing fulbrightprogrammes@fulbright.org.uk  

 
 

 

Eligibility
Residency in host country NOT permitted in year prior to grant
Indicate how many months is considered residency:
6 Months
Dual citizens of this country are eligible

The following applicants are ineligible for consideration:

  • Applicants who have extensive previous experience in the UK
  • Applicants whose proposals are to complete any part of a medical degree, including internships or residencies, or applicants who hold a Ph.D. at the time the grant is to begin
  • Applicants who have previously spent time at their selected university will be at a competitive disadvantage
Degree Level of Applicant
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
Special Application Instructions

In your Fulbright online application, for Award Name, please select the specific award you are applying for from the drop down menu

Foreign Language Proficiency
Not Required
Fulbright Proposal Types
Independent Study/Research:
No
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
Yes
Affiliation
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
Letter recommended but not required at deadline

Applicants are responsible for arranging their own affiliation and must apply for admission according to the relevant university’s admissions procedures. Applicants are not expected to have a letter of admission/affiliation at time of application, but awards are made conditional upon acceptance by the chosen institution before arrival.

Applicants will complete two applications, the Fulbright application and the university’s application (according to the university’s admissions procedures). Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their university applications as early as possible, ideally before January 13, 2025. Applicants who fail to do so may be at a competitive disadvantage. The Fulbright Program does not cover the application fee for the university.

Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Affiliation Fees/Tuition covered in grant benefits

Tuition for the first year of study will be waived internally by the host university. 

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.

1902.70 monthly stipend amount in
£ [British Pound Sterling]

The stipend amounts are in line with the UK Research and Innovation’s minimum amounts for studentship stipends and allowance.

Estimated Cost of Living

Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.

For an idea of what to expect with regards to living costs within the UK, please refer to the British Council’s guidance on the cost of study for international students: https://study-uk.britishcouncil.org/moving-uk/cost-studying

Dependents
Dependent financial support is NOT available
Fulbright Program Management Contact
FBstudent.EUR@iie.org
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
http://www.fulbright.org.uk
Grant Amount
  • Full tuition waiver for the first year of study
  • £19,027 living stipend a (contribution towards general maintenance costs, including airfare).

The living stipend is intended as a contribution towards general maintenance costs towards the first year in the UK.

Interviews

Based on university partner feedback, select semi-finalist applicants will be interviewed mid-February to early March. Interviews will take place via video conferencing.