FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. What are the Fulbright Awards?
A. The Fulbright Awards are grants for Irish citizens to study at the postgraduate level, research, or teach in the U.S. and for Americans to do the same in Ireland. E.U./U.K. citizens resident in the Republic of Ireland for 5+ years are welcome to apply
Q. When should I apply for an Irish Fulbright Award?
A. The Irish awards application period opens in the late summer and closes during mid-Autumn. You can only apply during these time periods. During the application period which generally runs August-November, applicants can apply to undertake an Award for the following academic year. Successful applicants typically complete their Fulbright scholarship during the academic year. It is important to think about your application well in advance of the application period so we recommend you spend at least the summer beforehand thinking about where you want to go and why.
Q. When should I apply for a U.S. Fulbright Award?
A. The awards for U.S. Scholars typically open early in the New Year and are due by late summer. These are managed by the Council of International Exchange of Scholars (CIES). Please see here for more details: http://www.cies.org/. The Fulbright Student Awards for American Students typically open in the spring with an autumn deadline. These are managed by the Institute of International Education (IIE). Please see here for more information: http://www.iie.org/fulbright/.
Q. How do I apply for a Fulbright Award?
A. The application system is managed globally and is online. All applicants must apply through this system. You must first read the information on our website carefully and then contact the Irish Fulbright office as instructed. Please ensure you adhere to the Irish guidelines when applying to go to the U.S., as instructions vary country to country.
Q. Do I need to submit hard copies of my application?
A. No. Please submit everything through the online system only.
Q. I am an EU citizen who is resident in Ireland for 3 years. Am I eligible to apply?
A. No. Only EU/UK citizens who are resident in Ireland for over 5+ years may apply through the Irish Commission.
Q. What can I study or research on a Fulbright Award?
A. Applicants from all fields and disciplines may apply, with the exception of clinical medical studies. For more information on universities in America see www.petersons.com
For information on universities in Ireland please see www.educationinireland.com If you are unsure about where you would like to go or what you would like to pursue please do not hesitate to contact us for advice.
Q. Where can I go on a Fulbright Award?
A. Irish citizens applying through the Fulbright Commission of Ireland can only go to the United States of America and no other countries. American citizens are eligible to go to any country that currently sponsors Fulbrighters, including Ireland.
Q. Can I do undergraduate study or research on a Fulbright Award?
A. No. Fulbright Awards are just for postgraduate study, scholarly research and lecturing, or teaching a foreign language. We do not have funding for undergraduate study.
Q. Can I do a study abroad program on a Fulbright Award?
A. No. Fulbright Awards are just for postgraduate study, scholarly research and lecturing, or teaching a foreign language. We do not have funding for study abroad programs.
Q. Can I do a short-term course on a Fulbright Award?
A. No. Fulbright Awards are just for postgraduate study, scholarly research and lecturing, or teaching a foreign language. We do not have funding for short-term programs.
Q. Can I apply if I have not yet received my letter of affiliation or admission to a university?
A. Yes. You should still apply for your Fulbright Award, indicating which institution you are hoping to go to. If you are then successful and offered a Fulbright Award you must have your affiliation or admission to proceed with your award. Please
Q. What is a letter of affiliation?
A. A letter of affiliation is required for Student or Scholar applicants who are seeking a visiting research or lecturing position. They are not required for full-time student applicants. The letter should come from someone with authority in the school or department and should state that should you be successful in obtaining a Fulbright Award they are happy to host you, your project, and have space for you to work there.
Q. Is the GRE required to apply for a Fulbright Award in the U.S.?
A. No, but many graduate programs require the GRE for admission. Please check each institution’s website for their admissions criteria.
Q. Are TOEFL / IELTS / TWE required to apply for a Fulbright in the U.S.?
A. Irish applicants to do not need to submit scores for any of above exams.
Q. What is required in terms of a transcript?
A. A transcript is a full list of courses and final grades that comes as an official document from a school. All post-secondary school transcripts (undergraduate, masters, and PhD, if applicable) will be required when applying for a Fulbright Student Award or FLTA grant. This should be requested from institutions early on in the application process, as it can take a number of weeks to be processed.
Q. Is the application deadline ever extended?
A. No. The deadline is a firm deadline. We encourage all Irish applicants to submit their applications early so they can be checked for completeness in advance. If your application is missing information and it is after the deadline it will be disqualified.
Q. I am applying for a Fulbright Student Award, what should I write about in my Study/Research Objective Essay?
A. You should write a clear and detailed description of the academic program you want to pursue. You should clearly identify the area(s) within your field of study in which you want to specialize in or concentrate. If there is a specific research project you wish to undertake, you should describe how you intend to meet your goals. You should outline why you need to go to the particular country and institution and how this will enhance your knowledge, skills, and understanding in the discipline.
Q. I am applying for the Student Award, what should I write about in my Personal Statement?
A. Your personal statement is a narrative statement that tells us about you. It should not repeat your Study/Research Objective Essay. It should tell the Fulbright Commission what makes you unique, your special interests, why you are applying for a Fulbright Award, why we should give you an award, your aspirations, and your expectations of the award.
Q. Should my references be academic or from an employer?
A. You must have three reference forms submitted on your behalf. References should be prepared by a professor with whom you have studied or researched in your proposed field of study that can confirm your academic and personal qualities. Alternatively, a reference may be someone that has supervised you in work related to your proposed field of study. Reference forms should not be prepared by persons related to you or by personal friends. At least one academic and one professional or work-related reference should be included among your three references. All three reference forms must be submitted by your referees through the online Slate System ahead of the application deadline.
Q. What can I do if I am unable to submit my application electronically?
A. The Irish Fulbright Commission will always strive to provide an accessible format for applicants. If you have concerns about using the online system please contact awards@fulbright.ie for more information on alternative applications.
Q. Can I submit my Fulbright Application by email or fax?
A. No. You must use the online System.
Q. Can you meet with me in advance to review my application?
A. No. The Fulbright Commission in Ireland is very small and we encourage all applicants to review our website first for answers to their questions. If you have an outstanding query we are happy to answer your call or respond to your email but we are not equipped to meet with applicants during the application period.
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