Application Planning

Worksheets provide step-by-step advice for:

• Fulbright Study/Research
• Fulbright ETA

Timeline overview for application process:

• March 26, 2024: opt in to the Postgrad Fellowships Spring Prep, which includes customized timelines, reminders, and planning!

• April: (i.e. the spring before the fall application deadline): consider postgraduate plans, explore deadlines for the coming academic year, and book a Fellowships advising appointment.

• May 1: opt-in to Postgraduate Fellowship Summer Support program by submitting this Getting Started worksheet to this form to help plan and build your applications (outlining, essay review, choosing recommenders, etc.)

• July 24: Optional Draft Deadline for postgraduate fellowships—submit drafts to guarantee draft review appointment before relevant fall deadline

• August 21, 2024: apply by the campus deadline to participate in campus application process, which includes a September campus interview and feedback to help you strengthen your application ahead of the national deadline

• October 8, 2024 by 5:00 pm EST: apply by the national deadline for consideration in the Fulbright U.S. Student Program

• March – June: Fulbright results are announced (dates vary by country).

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

• Wellesley College seniors who will obtain their bachelor’s degree before the start of the grant (if you plan to apply in the fall of 2024, you must graduate in December 2024 or spring 2025) and Wellesley College graduates (who have not yet earned a PhD)

• U.S. citizens by the date of the national application deadline in October

• Applicants who possess language proficiency sufficient to communicate with people in the host country and to carry out the proposed project. (Language requirements vary by country: see individual country pages for specifics, and contact fellowships@wellesley.edu with questions or ask when you book an appointment to talk over interests and plans.)

Successful candidates typically demonstrate a specific interest in their host country, and can make a connection between their past activities (academic, professional and/or extracurricular) and their proposed Fulbright project (study/research or teaching).

Where can I learn more?

• Are you a potential Fulbrighter? I am Fulbright! 
• 5 Minute Fellowships: Fulbright 101 is a quick summary of the program and application! 
• Did you know? Wellesley's amazing Research Librarians offer appointments for prospective fellowship applicants as well (both current students and graduates)! They can help you identify and research potential affiliates; explore international educational systems; investigate global sites for travel fellowships; learn more about a country's culture or history; and/or think through any aspect of your proposal.  You can explore their resources and book a Zoom appointment here!
• For full details, tips, and advice, check out the official Fulbright website. Learn there about different kinds of Fulbright grants, the requirements of the different countries you might hope to go to, how to tackle an application, past awardees, and more. Browse awards using the filterable search here!
• See our Fulbright U.S. Student Program Info Session and Myth-Busting webinar.  We offer an overview of the program, bust some myths, and hear from current and former Wellesley Fulbrighters about their experiences and advice.
• Attend a campus information session if you can, and check out the helpful brief videos for applicants and/or the  calendar of official webinars offered during the summer and early autumn. Don't miss helpful recorded official webinars and alumni panels!
• You might also be interested in support and resources offered by various Fulbright affinity groups, including Fulbright Access, Fulbright Latinx, Fulbright Lotus, Fulbright Noir, LGBTQ+ Fulbright Prism, and Fulbright Salam!
• Check out Fulbright Forward - A Diversity Podcast with Fulbright alumni...

How do I apply?

Things to know:

• The Fulbright campus committee process (apply by August 21 to participate) is meant to help you put forth the strongest application possible; it is not a nomination process.
• All Wellesley seniors and graduates are invited to apply for the Fulbright through the campus committee process. 
• You can apply directly to Fulbright (as a Wellesley candidate, not “at large”) by the national deadline in October, but we strongly recommend participating in the campus committee process.
• Note: if you are currently in a US graduate/professional degree program, you might be better served by applying through your graduate institution.
• Fall and late summer advising appointments are in high demand, so it helps to plan ahead: book a Fellowships advising appointment through Handshake at any time in the year (including over the summer).

Application Checklist

To participate in the campus committee process, you will need to complete and "lock" your official online application (found via the Fulbright website), including all essays and short answers. Please note:

• New in 2024: Do not hit the "submit" button until your application is final and ready for the national committee: once it's submitted there is no way to make any further changes (and you may only submit one application for one Fulbright award per application cycle).
• Recommendations and languages evaluations may come in after the campus deadline.
• No one at Fulbright will see your application until after the national deadline.
• We will return editing access to you after your campus interview.
• Indicate in the official Fulbright online system that you are applying through Wellesley College (not “At Large”).

Applications include the following components:

• Short essays, including an abstract, host country engagement, and plans upon return to the US.

• Resume/CV fields (for example, extracurricular activities, professional experience, etc.)

• Statement of Grant Purpose:
  
  • Study/Research: 2 pages, single spaced.
  • ETA: 1 page, single spaced.

• Personal statement: 1 page, single spaced, for both Study/Research and ETA.

• Transcripts (Wellesley, study abroad, and any other institutions)
  
  • For the campus committee process, unofficial applications will suffice.

• Three recommendations
  
  • You may "lock" your application for review by the campus committee even if your references are not all in (they can still come in).
  • Register your recommenders in the official application system, so they may upload their references there.
  • Study/Research references are submitted in the form of a letter.
  • ETA references are submitted as a form/questionnaire.

• Language self-evaluation form (completed by the candidate)

• Foreign Language Evaluation(s), if applicable
  
  • Completed by a faculty member (see the official Fulbright guidance for language evaluators, & the sample evaluation form there)
  • Register your language evaluator in the official application system
  • You may "lock" your application for review by the campus committee even if your language evaluation is not submitted yet (it can still come in).

• Letter of affiliation, if applicable
  
  • You may "lock" your application for review by the campus committee even if your letter of affiliation is not submitted yet (it can be added later).

• Supplementary materials (for candidates in the fine or performing arts)

• Wellesley Signature Document as part of the campus Fulbright survey you will complete after you "lock" your application for review (we will send you that survey after the campus deadline)