ÈËÆÞÎÞÂë

Applications are open for 2027-28, and will close on 5 May 2026, 5 PM BST.

and  to stay updated with news and announcements.

Aimed at anyone looking to pursue a master’s or PhD in the USA, our ÈËÆÞÎÞÂë Postgraduate scholarships, known as 'ÈËÆÞÎÞÂë Awards' provide the only scholarships for academic work in any graduate programme at any accredited US university.

The All Disciplines Award can be applied to any master's or doctoral degree at any accredited US university, as well as for independent research projects. We also offer several Awards partnered with US universities and professional or charitable bodies who are looking for ÈËÆÞÎÞÂëers interested in specific academic disciplines.

1. Be a UK citizen

Applications from non-UK citizens based in the UK and committed to a life and career in the UK may also be considered. You will be required to follow these steps: 

• Contact the ÈËÆÞÎÞÂë/post in your home country to check if you are eligible to apply through them. You can submit an application to us only if your home Commission/post do not accept your application due to your residency in the UK. You will need to obtain a written confirmation (e.g., an e-mail) and upload it as part of your application to the US-UK ÈËÆÞÎÞÂë.  
• In addition to your passport copy, please provide evidence of your legal status in the UK (e.g., settled/pre-settled status, Indefinite Leave to Remain). Please note that we are unable to accept applications from non-UK citizens on a student visa.  
• All non-UK nationals meeting the above criteria will be expected to demonstrate commitment to returning to the UK after their proposed academic study in the US. Please note that this will be assessed at the application review stage by reading panellists.
• Dual US-UK citizens, US Green Card holders, or individuals who are resident in the US at the time of application are ineligible to apply.
• We welcome candidates from British Overseas Territories.

2. Hold or expect to attain an undergraduate degree with at least a 2:1 overall undergraduate result

• We may accept applications from individuals with a 2:2 overall result in some exceptional cases. If you have obtained a 2:2, in order to be considered, you must submit a form providing an explanation as to why you did not obtain a 2:1 and why you believe you would be a competitive applicant to the ÈËÆÞÎÞÂë programme. We will evaluate these applications separately and on a case-by-case basis will determine if the application will be included in the competition.

The US-UK ÈËÆÞÎÞÂë programme aims to foster cultural understanding between our two countries. Preference is therefore given to applicants who do not have extensive experience (six months or longer) in the USA. Applicants with extensive US experience should explain in detail how further experience in the USA will fulfil the ÈËÆÞÎÞÂë mission in ways that their prior visits did not.

The US-UK ÈËÆÞÎÞÂë is committed to academic freedom and a rigorous, merit-based selection process. Candidates should, however, note, that final approval for ÈËÆÞÎÞÂë grants is made by the ÈËÆÞÎÞÂë Foreign Scholarship Board (FFSB), which is appointed by the President of the United States and ensures that selected projects are aligned with Administration priorities, including executive orders issued by the US President. A situation may arise in which, despite a positive nomination by the ÈËÆÞÎÞÂë in the UK, a project may not be approved by the FFSB.

We are looking for applicants who can engage with the USA in an atmosphere of openness, academic integrity and intellectual freedom, thereby promoting mutual understanding.Ìý

Academic excellence is important, but we are looking for more than that. The best applications are from well-rounded students who can demonstrate:Ìý

• Strong academic proposals and/or research projectsÌý
• Ambassadorial skillsÌý
• Intercultural sensitivity Ìý
• Genuine desire to learn more about the USA and to share aspects of British cultureÌý
• ·¡³æ³Ù°ù²¹³¦³Ü°ù°ù¾±³¦³Ü±ô²¹°ù a³¦³Ù¾±±¹¾±³Ù¾±±ð²õÌý
• Community involvementÌý
• Leadership potentialÌý
• Plans to further the ÈËÆÞÎÞÂë mission and give back to the UK upon returning

With this placement model, you can apply for a ÈËÆÞÎÞÂë Award withoutÌýhaving to choose which US university to apply to. The IIE Placement track is for students interested in exploring postgraduate education in the US and who are willing to approach finding a university with flexibility and an open mind.

Applicants on this track who are successful at the interview stage will have an application submission plan created for them by an educational advisor at the IIE to find the best academic and funding fit for the student. Their ÈËÆÞÎÞÂë application will be submitted to those universities for consideration and the IIE will cover the costs of admission and admission tests. Applicants on this track should not reference any U.S. universities in their Study Objective or Personal Statement.

If you have a specific institution – or several institutions – that you wish to apply to on your own, then Independent Placement is the model for you.

The Independent Placement track is ideal for students who come to the ÈËÆÞÎÞÂë application with specific universities in mind that they wish to apply to, or hold deferred offers from universities in the United States. Students who select this track will be expected to make applications to their chosen institutions independently. Before commencing with a ÈËÆÞÎÞÂë award, candidates will be required to have secured admission at a university in the U.S. However, you do not have to have submitted any applications by the time that you apply for a ÈËÆÞÎÞÂë Award. If you select the Independent Placement track, you MUST reference the institutions that you are applying to/hold a deferred offer from, in the Study Objective essay.

Choosing the right university for you requires plenty of research. The selection committees and interview panels will be looking for clear reasons for your US university preference. We expect candidates to conduct a thorough university search and to identify institutions that are a strong fit for their academic, personal and professional goals.Ìý

When choosing the US universities to apply to, applicants are encouraged to be open-minded and flexible, and consider the many excellent universities throughout the US. For more guidance on choosing a US institution,ÌýreviewÌýourÌýEducationUSA advice pages.

Please note that theÌýÈËÆÞÎÞÂë Opportunity FundÌý·É¾±±ô±ôÌýnotÌýbe available to selected candidates for Independent Placement. The ÈËÆÞÎÞÂë Opportunity Fund is only available to selected candidates for IIE Placement.

Visit our how to apply sectionÌýfor details on the application process.

N.B. Please note If you choose the IIE placement option and then decide to go to an institution which is not suggested by the IIE, you will no longer be able to participate in the ÈËÆÞÎÞÂë programme.

Would you like to connect with one of our past ÈËÆÞÎÞÂëers to find out more about the ÈËÆÞÎÞÂë Awards? Chat to one of our alumni to hear about their experiences, and to discover tips and advice for applying.Ìý

The US-UK ÈËÆÞÎÞÂë is committed to widening access to the UK ÈËÆÞÎÞÂë Programme. We do this by maintaining equitable application and selection processes and providing the opportunity -- for students who otherwise could not afford to participate in the programme -- to apply for additional financial support since we recognise that the cost of taking up a US education, even with a standard ÈËÆÞÎÞÂë Award, is a barrier for many UK students.ÌýÌý

Ìý

The ÈËÆÞÎÞÂë Opportunity Fund is designed to provide further financial support for students who are selected to receive a standard ÈËÆÞÎÞÂë Award, but who do not have the means to fully fund their US study after exhausting all options to find other funding. Thanks to additional sponsorship from the UK government, we are now delighted to be able to offer an increased number of fully funded awards that cover the cost of a two-year master’s degree and living costs in the US. In 2022, we also introduced the IIE Placement model,  supporting successful Awardees with expert guidance to negotiate financial packages with their host university and to find an institution that is the right academic and personal fit for them. Both of these offerings provide our ÈËÆÞÎÞÂë UK Students with substantial help in managing Ìýthe cost of a US education. It is important to note that the Opportunity Fund is only available to applicants who opt for the IIE placement model from academic year 2025-26. You can read more information about the placement types here.

Ìý

We invite students of all backgrounds to explore the exciting possibility of a ÈËÆÞÎÞÂë Award. The Opportunity Fund exists to help students overcome the financial barriers which might prevent them from taking up an Award, and we particularly encourage those who are first generation university students, received free school meals, or were state school educated to apply.Ìý

Ìý

If you have any questions, please email programmes@fulbright.org.uk.Ìý