Glossary
Affiliation
This is the institution in the host country that an applicant will work with during the grant term.
At-Large Applicants
A candidates who is not currently enrolled in a U.S. undergraduate or graduate degree program and who is not applying through their alma mater will apply for a Fulbright U.S. Student grant as an At-Large applicant.
Dependents
A dependent is either a spouse or a relative (child, parent, or sibling) who is financially dependent on the grantee. A small maintenance allowance may be provided for accompanying dependents in some countries. The balance of maintenance expenses for dependents is the responsibility of the grantee. An accompanying dependent is one spending at least 80 percent of the grant period abroad with the grantee.
Fulbright Commission/Foundation
A bi-national, autonomous entity established by treaty between the U.S. and the partner country to plan, administer, and supervise the Fulbright Programs between their respective countries. Find out more information and a listing of the 50 Fulbright Commissions.
Fulbright Program Advisor (FPA)
The FPA is appointed by a U.S. college or university to serve as the contact on campus responsible for publicizing Fulbright Program opportunities and for providing guidance on the application process. FPA’s will also coordinate the submission of applications to IIE and will organize the on-campus interview process.
Institute of International Education (IIE)
The private, non-profit agency under contract with the U.S. Department of State to organize publicity, receive and process applications and, through its National Screening Committee (NSC), make recommendations to the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board for graduate-study grants under the Fulbright Program. IIE also administers the Fulbright U.S. Student grants in Post countries.
Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FFSB)
The FFSB is a presidentially-appointed, 12-member independent body that formulates the policies and selection criteria governing the Fulbright Program and which has legislative responsibility for making final selections.
National Screening Committee (NSC)
The first stage of the Fulbright application review process is conducted in the U.S. by a panel of university faculty members with expertise in the country or world region (for study/research grants), in TESOL and foreign language (for English Teaching Assistantships), and in the specific field of study (for creative and performing arts grants).
Post
The U.S. embassy in the host country responsible for Fulbright Program activities in countries where there is no Fulbright Commission. Responsibility for the Fulbright Program rests with the Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the embassy under the direction of the Public Affairs Officer (PAO) or Cultural Affairs Officer (CAO).
Supervising Agency
The Fulbright Commission or U.S. embassy in the host country that has direct responsibility for selecting Fulbright grantees and for supervising grantees during the grant period.
United States Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA)
Sponsor of the Fulbright Program, which operates under policy guidelines established by the FFSB and in cooperation with the bi-national Fulbright Commissions and Public Affairs Sections of U.S. Embassies abroad. Visit their website.