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Fulbright Postdoctoral Awards

General Information

Program Description

The Fulbright Postdoctoral Awards provide recently graduated scholars with opportunities to conduct research and receive professional training abroad. These awards may also include teaching assignments. Scholars can undertake their projects at institutions worldwide, allowing them to follow their personal vision and make significant contributions to their fields.

Who Should Apply

  • Postdocs who have received a doctoral degree within five years of the fellowship start date.
  • U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
  • Postdoctoral scholars from all academic disciplines, including natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, and humanities.

Eligibility

  • Must be a U.S. citizen at the time of application.
  • Must not have resided abroad for five or more consecutive years in the six years preceding the application deadline.
  • Must have received their doctoral degree before the start of the award.
  • Recipients of a Fulbright Scholar award are eligible to apply for another award two years after the completion of the previous award. Fulbright Specialist Program grant recipients are exempt from this two-year waiting period.
  • Employees and their immediate families of the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development, and related organizations are ineligible to apply until one year after termination of such employment.

Award Information

  • A total research award varies by country and project.
  • Project Support and PI Salary: Provided for the duration of the award.
  • Project Percent Effort Required: Must devote a significant portion of their effort to the Fulbright project.

External Submission Opportunities Protocol 

What is a Limited Submission Opportunity? When a funding agency or foundation allows multiple applications from Penn, these are considered external submission opportunities. While these do not need to be submitted through the Office of the Vice Provost for Research (OVPR), it is important to inform our office if you win an award.

What is the Review Process for Limited Submissions? Applicants should follow their home school’s deadlines and submission instructions. Once you have prepared your application, submit it directly to the funder according to their guidelines. If you are awarded, please notify the OVPR to ensure proper documentation and support.

Where do I find out about limited submission opportunities on the OVPR website? The newly designed website lists external submission opportunities. Use the filters on the left to refine your search. Opportunities are listed in summary form. Click on the title of an opportunity to see the full details. 

How do I apply? Follow the application instructions provided by the organization. Apply directly with the organization according to their guidelines. If you are awarded, please notify the OVPR to ensure proper documentation and support.