Fulbright Schuman Awards for EU citizens
The Fulbright-Schuman Program, administered by the Commission for Educational Exchange between the United States and Belgium, is jointly financed by the U.S. State Department and the Directorate-General for Education and Culture of the European Commission. The program funds graduate and post-graduate study, research, and lecture proposals in the field of U.S.-EU relations, EU policy, or EU institutions for interested American and EU citizens.
AVAILABLE GRANTS
Fulbright Schuman grants can be awarded to students, scholars, and professionals with citizenship in any of the 27 EU member states for a period of up to one academic year (9 months). Awards are open to all academic fields, but the research must be relevant to US-EU relations, EU affairs/policy, or EU institutions and must show relevancy to at least two EU member states. Candidates must arrange their own placement at an accredited university or a non-profit research institution in the USA. Several different types of awards are available for EU citizens at the student and scholar level, an overview of which can be found at www.fulbrightschuman.eu/grants-eu-citizens/. Click here for a one-page general announcement.
NATO SECURITY STUDIES AWARD
As part of the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program, the Fulbright-NATO Security Studies Award aims to foster awareness and understanding of NATO and to increase the level of debate on peace, security, and defense-related issues. This award funds post-doctoral researchers, professors, and professionals to conduct research and/or lecture at a U.S. institution for a period of three months in fields of study with a connection to NATO, including but not limited to cybersecurity, military history, nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, peace and security, security studies, and transatlantic studies. Eligible candidates for this award should hold citizenship in a NATO member country. Successful project proposals will observe an issue of common concern from a comparative perspective and will bear significance for more than one EU member state. Candidates are responsible for organizing their own affiliation with an accredited university, vocational training/professional institution, or independent research center in the EU or the U.S. Click here for a one-page announcement.
For all Fulbright-Schuman Awards, preference is given to candidates with at least two years of related professional or academic experience beyond the Bachelor’s degree. Candidates with permanent positions at the European Commission are ineligible to apply. Grants are available for both graduate students and scholars. For further information, please see the Fulbright Schuman Program website administered by the Belgian Fulbright Commission. The 2025-26 application deadline is December 1, 2024.
If you have specific questions about the process, please make sure to check out the FAQ section here.
GRANT BENEFITS
⚬ Monthly stipend
(USD equivalent of €2000 for students, €3000 for scholars)
⚬ One-time travel stipend of USD equivalent of €1000
⚬ Sickness and accident insurance for grantee
⚬ J-visa sponsorship for grantee and any accompanying dependents
⚬ Program sponsored events and activities in the U.S.
⚬ Membership in active Fulbright alumni networks in both the United States and Europe
Requirements
Proficiency in English
Swedish citizenship (dual U.S. and Swedish citizens may also apply)
Established affiliation with an American university or research center
The online application for the following year is available from September through December
The competition for the academic year of 2025-26 is open until December 1, 2024.
AVAILABLE GRANTS
Fulbright Schuman grants can be awarded to students, scholars, and professionals with citizenship in any of the 27 EU member states for a period of up to one academic year (9 months). Awards are open to all academic fields, but the research must be relevant to US-EU relations, EU affairs/policy, or EU institutions and must show relevancy to at least two EU member states. Candidates must arrange their own placement at an accredited university or a non-profit research institution in the USA. An overview of all grants available to EU citizens can be found at www.fulbrightschuman.eu/grants-eu-citizens/.
Grants for students are normally for a period of nine months (i.e., an academic year). However, applications for pre-doctoral research for a period as short as four months will also be considered. Grants for scholars are for a minimum period of three months and a maximum of nine months, with preference given to projects of 4-6 months in duration.
Please note that applicants who will travel to the United States without a Ph.D. are placed in the “Student” category and are required to remain in the U.S. for a minimum of four months. Applicants who have significant work experience or have a Ph.D. (or will have a Ph.D. by time of departure to the U.S.) are placed in the “Visiting Scholar Research” category and may remain for a minimum of three months.
NATO SECURITY STUDIES AWARD
As part of the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program, the Fulbright-NATO Security Studies Award aims to foster awareness and understanding of NATO and to increase the level of debate on peace, security, and defense-related issues. This award funds post-doctoral researchers, professors, and professionals to conduct research and/or lecture at a U.S. institution for a period of three months in fields of study with a connection to NATO, including but not limited to cybersecurity, military history, nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, peace and security, security studies, and transatlantic studies. Eligible candidates for this award should hold citizenship in a NATO member country.
APPLICATION TIMELINE
The Fulbright Commission in Brussels is currently accepting applications for the 2025-26 academic year. Applicants need to submit an application by December 1, 2024. Please note that applications are submitted via the global Fulbright application platform, but candidates must indicate "European Union (Schuman)" (or "NATO" if applying specifically to the Nato Security Studies Award) as the program country.
If you have specific questions about the process, please make sure to check out the FAQ section here.
Clicking "Go to Application Form" will direct you to the Fulbright Schuman website, where the appropriate application link is provided under each individual grant program.