The Fulbright Foreign Student Programme is inviting applications for the 2025-2026 academic year.
The South African Fulbright Foreign Student Programme provides grants for South African university graduates to pursue post-graduate studies at a United States university in any subject (excludes MBA and studies that require contact with patients).
Students are selected through a rigorous application and interview process and receive a high level of support ranging from visa processing and health insurance to a comprehensive pre-departure orientation and re-entry session.
For more information on the programme, refer to the South Africa FFSP Application Guidelines and Instructions.
Degree level
- Visiting Student Researcher (non-degree): South African PhD students enrolled with a South African University may apply to conduct one year’s research at a U.S. University as a Visiting Student Researcher (VSR). Current National Research Foundation (NRF) funded PhD students are encouraged to apply;
- Master’s or PhD: Post-graduate students may apply for scholarships towards Master’s or Doctorate degrees. Scholarships are awarded for two years towards one degree – Master’s or Doctorate.
Fields of Study
All fields of study except MBA and studies that require patient contact.
Deadlines
The application deadline is 17 April 2024.
Who can apply?
Applicants must:
- Be a South African citizen OR a permanent resident with a minimum of 5 years of permanent residency status in South Africa (Please note: S.A. nationals with dual citizenship from the United States are not eligible for the programme);
- Have one of the following academic degrees:
- Visiting Student Researcher: Must be registered for a PhD at a South African university for the duration of your Fulbright programme;
- When applying for a Master’s degree: Have a four-year bachelor’s degree, B-Tech degree or a three-year bachelor’s degree with an honours degree;
- When applying for a Doctorate degree: a Master’s degree.
- All Applicants should:
- Have sufficient level of English proficiency to enable them to engage in graduate level study in the United States;
- Be able to meet the minimum scores on required standardized tests such as the GRE and TOEFL (tested by Fulbright when invited to the semi-final round);
- Display academic excellence;
- Be highly motivated and committed to returning to S.A. after the programme;
- Demonstrate leadership qualities;
- Display a sense of social responsibility; be involved in extra-mural activities;
- Have a desire to further Fulbright Alumni activities by giving back to your community/university upon returning;
- Have an understanding of the cross-cultural sensitivity and flexibility needed to adjust successfully to life in the United States as a student.
- Preference will be given to applicants who:
- Have not had recent and extensive experience in the U.S.;
- Have not held a Fulbright Scholarship before
- Students already studying in the United States are NOT eligible;
- MBA and studies that require patient contact (human or animal) are excluded.
What the scholarship offers
The Fulbright programme provides a high level of support to candidates.
- Placement at a U.S. host university;
- J1 visa sponsorship
- Medical clearance;
- Visa application fees;
- International travel and health insurance;
- Tuition and a living allowance while in the U.S.;
- Travel allowance and transportation from South Africa to the authorized U.S. destination;
- Settling in allowance upon arrival in the United States.
Application process
Completed applications with all required supplemental documents must be submitted through the online system by midnight SAST on 17 April 2024.
Prospective Fulbright participants should be aware that public health conditions, availability of consular services and travel, as well as U.S. institutional operating status and policies may affect their ability to travel to the U.S. and participate in academic programmes.
Contact
For questions not addressed on the website may be sent to the Fulbright Office via:
Documents and links
South Africa Fulbright Foreign Student Programme Website
South Africa Fulbright Foreign Student Programme Application Guidelines and Instructions
IIE detailed application instructions FFSP 2025-2026
Fulbright foreign student programme 2025-2026 flyer
Note
Please note that this opportunity is not offered by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Applicants are required to undertake their own research into programmes and institutions and are responsible for ensuring that the qualifications will be recognised in South Africa by contacting the South African Qualifications Authority and the relevant professional bodies. If there are any discrepancies in the details provided, the information given by the sponsor supersedes the details provided above. No additional financial support will be provided by the Department of Higher Education and Training.
