Selection Criteria

Australian Fulbright Scholarship applicants are selected through a state and national selection process.

Selection criteria

Applicants are selected on the following criteria:

High academic and professional merit

Applicants must have a record of achievement in their chosen field, such as academic record, professional recognition, publications, exhibitions, performances or presentations.

Program proposal

Applicant proposals need to be feasible and relevant to the interests of the applicant, along with Australia and the United States.
Proposals should identify:

  • An educational component of study and / or research
  • Define and outline goals of the program and the role of the United States and its institutions in achieving these goals.
  • Define the relevance and value of the program to further the mutual understanding and relationships between the United States and Australia

Potential outcomes
  • Define the potential benefits to the applicant's institution, employer and/or industry.
  • Outline how results and/or outcomes will be disseminated.
  • Outline the long term links that may be established at a personal, industry and professional level.

Ambassadorial skills

Applicants must relay their ability to promote mutual understanding between Australia and the United States.

Adaptability

Applicants must relay their ability to adjust successfully to life in the United States.

Each year the number of well qualified applicants greatly outnumbers the scholarships available. Final selection, and the procedures to achieve this selection, is at the discretion of the Australian-American Fulbright Commission Board and no correspondence will be entered into.

Factors affecting selection

  • United States institutions generally expect applicants to have completed a four year degree. In the Australian context, this usually means an honours degree, its equivalent, or professional experience.
  • In no case will a Fulbright Scholarship be given to an applicant who does not have a first (undergraduate) degree or its recognised equivalent.
  • For Fulbright Scholarships granted to Visual and Performing Artists, or other fields where academic qualifications may not be the most relevant criterion, attested excellence and promise exhibited during professional training is taken into consideration.
Page last updated: June 5, 2008