2025 Fulbright Program Updates: Fulbright Foreign Student Program FAQs

Non-U.S. Student

If you are a non-U.S. citizen looking to applying for a Fulbright grant to study in the United States you will apply to the Fulbright Commissions/Foundations or U.S. Embassy in your home country.

Current U.S. Student

If you are a U.S. citizen currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program, please visit our Fulbright U.S. Student Program site.

U.S. Citizen but not a Student

If you are a U.S. citizen, hold a bachelor’s degree, and do not have a PhD degree then you could be eligible for certain awards within the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Please review the program summary for the country where you would like to apply.

U.S. Professor

If you are a U.S. citizen and a professor at a U.S. institution and are interested in applying for a Fulbright Scholar Award you will need to apply through fulbrightscholars.org.

Non-U.S. Professor

If you are a non-U.S. citizen and a professor interested in applying for a Fulbright Scholar Award in the United States you need to apply through the Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy in your home country. Find out more information on the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program.
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2025 Fulbright Program Updates FAQs

 
In-Program Activities
I have questions and need program guidance. Who can I speak to at IIE?

Please direct all inquiries to foreignstudentadvising@iie.org. Please include your PSID, country, nature of inquiry, and critical date in the Subject Line and strive to be as clear and concise as possible in the email.

 
How is IIE processing grant renewals and extensions at this time?

Renewals and extensions are being prioritized by current grant end date. Please continue collecting required documentation from your university as applicable and reference the process as outlined on Foreign Fulbright Online.

As a reminder, students do not need to return home to renew their visa as long as their DS-2019 is valid. We are unable to expedite renewals and extensions for elective summer travel.

 Can I apply for work authorization for on-campus employment or pre-degree academic training?

Yes, participants can apply for in-program work authorization and pre-degree academic training.  Requests will be prioritized in order of position start date, however if you have an urgent request, please email foreignstudentadvising@iie.org once your request is uploaded.

 I’m planning to travel outside the United States, what steps do I need to take?

Remember, your J-1 visa can expire while you are in the U.S., as long as you have a valid DS 2019 and are participating in approved program activity. However, if you depart the United States and your visa is expired or expires before your return, you will need to renew your J-1 visa under Fulbright sponsorship in order to continue your program activities.  As of May 29, 2025, scheduling appointments at U.S. Embassies or Consulates for nonimmigrant visa interviews has been temporarily suspended. As there is no known date by which scheduling will resume, you may experience delays in renewing your visa if you travel outside the United States. As such, you must carefully consider the risks of international travel, including the possibility of not being able to return to the U.S. to resume your Fulbright program activities. Therefore, if you have an expired J-1 visa or your J-1 visa will expire soon, and your travel is non-essential, we strongly recommend that you not travel abroad at this time. 

Should you plan to travel outside the United States, and need to renew your J-1 visa, you must closely monitor any guidance and updates issued by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country. It is your responsibility to contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country to inquire about J-1 visa renewal appointments in advance of your travel. You are required to keep IIE updated about any delays in your return or changes to your travel dates. If you decide to travel, you must submit travel requests following the international travel process process outlined on Foreign Fulbright Online. Please note international travel comes with risks, even if you have a valid multiple entry visa.  

If you have an urgent international travel request, please write to foreignstudentadvising@iie.org and inform us of the urgent travel request in order for your request to be reviewed urgently. 

 I have an urgent situation-- medical, visa, or legal--who should I contact and what should I do?Please refer to the Foreign Fulbright Program - Stay Safe and Healthy for resources. If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, you should first call 911 and then report the emergency to IIE through the after-hours line once it is safe for you to do so. The urgent line for the Fulbright Foreign Student Program is (202) 326-7721. You must leave a message and if it is an emergency, your call will be returned. This number should be reserved for urgent matters that cannot wait for an email reply.  
 
End of Program Plans
For eligible grantees as outlined in your Terms of Appointment, will IIE book my flight home and issue my return travel allowance?

Yes, IIE can assist with travel bookings for eligible students from non-Commission countries.

 
Can I apply for post-degree academic training (PDAT)?

Yes, for those eligible to request PDAT, please note the following important information:

  • Requests should be submitted as soon as possible before your DS-2019 end date.  
  • Requests submitted within two weeks of the DS-2019 end date will not be considered. 
  • Requests must be completed following instructions outlined on Fulbright Online to be considered. 
  • If IIE arranges your return travel, previously booked travel cannot be cancelled or rescheduled to do PDAT.