Frequently Asked Questions for
Australian Scholarships
How do I apply for a Fulbright Scholarship?
Follow the instructions in the ‘Completing an Application’ section and use the relevant scholarship Application Form on this Web Site.
ACT and Northern Territory Postgraduate and Postdoctoral applicants who need assistance to complete the application form should contact the Program Manager at the Commission.
All other Postgraduate and Postdoctoral applicants should contact the Honorary Secretary in their State of residence.
Senior Scholars and Professionals who need assistance to complete their application should contact the Program Manager at the Commission.
Are those with dual Australian/US citizenship eligible for a scholarship?
No. The United States Government recognises U.S. citizenship first and foremost and as such the applicant would not be a foreign exchange visitor.
If I'm not an Australian citizen but I am a permanent resident, am I eligible for an scholarship?
No. Applicants for Australian Fulbright Scholarships must be Australian citizens by birth or naturalisation. If you are a permanent resident and have submitted an application for Australian citizenship at the time of submitting your Fulbright application, you will be considered as long as you supply documentary evidence of your citizenship application.
Other nationals may be able to apply for Fulbright scholarships from their home country. See the U.S. Department of State's Home Page for further information
If I am an Australian citizen but I'm living abroad, am I eligible for an Australian Fulbright scholarship?
It is a requirement of Australian Fulbright scholarships that applicants be resident in Australia at the time of application and that they be available for an interview in late September/early October (Postgraduate and Postdoctoral Scholarship applicants). All Scholars must be available to attend Fulbright functions in Australia including the Fulbright Presentation Dinner and Orientation Program held in March annually.
Does my application for a Fulbright Scholarship have to be submitted on the form provided?
Yes. Applications not on the form provided will not be considered.
Can you return my original supporting documentation contained in my application?
No. Original documents should not be included in the application, only certified copies.
Will copies of the required documentation supporting my application be sufficient?
Only certified copies will be accepted. Academic transcripts, birth certificates etc. must be certified by a Justice of the Peace. Please refer to the section 'Completing an Application' located on this website.
What is the closing date for applications?
Applications for all scholarship categories should be submitted between June 1 and the Close of Business 31 August each year. Applications that arrive after the closing date but have been postmarked on or before 31 August will be accepted.
Under no circumstances will any other late applications be accepted.
Will receipt of my application be acknowledged?
Receipt of applications will be acknowledged if candidates enclose a stamped self-addressed envelope with their application.
What is the closing date for Referee Reports?
All Referees' Reports should be submitted between 1 June and the COB 31 August each year. It is the applicant's responsibility to see that Referee Reports are submitted to the appropriate address before the closing date. Applicants for whom Referee Reports are not received are disadvantaged.
Who should I ask to provide a Referee Report?
You should ask those who will best support your application and who can objectively assess your ability to successfully undertake a program of research or study in the U.S. and your potential to make a contribution to the U.S. and Australia. Where possible your referees should include your academic supervisor/s. You are encouraged to use a mix of referees ie: not all from the same school or faculty.
Do I have to attend an interview?
Yes, candidates who are applying for Postgraduate and Postdoctoral Scholarships must be available to attend an interview. Applicants not able to attend an interview, will not be considered further for a Fulbright scholarship unless there are extenuating circumstances – see note below. To assist applicants with their planning, Interview dates for each state are posted on the Fulbright website at the commencement of the application period.
Note: In extenuating circumstances or where the applicant is located in a remote area, the selection committee may consider interviewing a candidate by teleconference, however should the candidate be recommended to the National Selection Committee, a face-to-face interview would need to be arranged.
Who should I talk to about my interview?
If you require further information about your interview please contact the Honorary Secretary in your State of Residence. Postgraduate and Postdoctoral applicants in the ACT and Northern Territory should contact the Program Manager at the Commission.
If I am not available for interview on the date that the selection committee in my State of residence is meeting, can I attend an interview in another State?
No. You would be taking away the opportunity for interview of an applicant from that State.
Can I apply in more than one Fulbright Scholarship category?
Yes. Applicants should indicate on the top of the Application Form if they are applying for more than one scholarship. If the scholarship categories in which you wish to apply require the applications to be submitted to different Fulbright offices, a complete set of applications should be sent to both offices.
Are scholarships awarded to each State?
Not necessarily. The competition is national and scholarships are awarded to the best and brightest, regardless of their State of residence. This might mean that no scholarships are awarded to applicants in a particular State in any one year.
Note: There are specific State Scholarships available to Postgraduate and Postdoctoral applicants in Tasmania, Queensland, Western Australia and Victoria – see the Fulbright website for more information.
Is there an age limit to people applying for Fulbright Scholarships?
No, however applicants for the Fulbright Professional Scholarships should generally be aged between 30 and 45 years.
Are applicants who are unsuccessful in their application for a Fulbright Scholarship precluded from making applications in the future?
Previous unsuccessful applicants are not precluded from applying, and are encouraged to re-apply.
How do I apply for admission to a U.S. university?
Please see the links at:
http://usembassy-australia.state.gov/education for details about how to apply for admission to an American university.
Does affiliation with a U.S. institution have to be confirmed at the time of application?
No. Affiliation with a U.S. institution does not have to be confirmed at the time of application but there should be a clear indication of which institution(s) you would prefer to attend/visit and why. Any communication you have had with the institution(s) should be attached to your application. This can include copies of email communication.
Can you have more than one host institution?
Yes, however it is preferable not to exceed two primary host institutions.
Will I be disadvantaged because I have undertaken previous studies in the United States?
Where two (2) candidates are considered equal, those who have not had previous U.S. experience will be given preference to applicants with previous U.S. experience.
Must I have an undergraduate degree to be eligible for a Fulbright scholarship?
Yes – or a tertiary equivalent qualification.
I have recently submitted my PhD thesis but it has not yet been examined, am I eligible for the Postdoctoral Scholarship?
Yes. As long as you have lodged your PhD thesis prior to applying for the Postdoctoral Scholarship, you are eligible for this scholarship.
Is preference given to applicants from specific academic fields?
No. Fulbright Scholarships are open to applicants from any academic field.
Are medical graduates eligible for a Fulbright Scholarship?
Medical graduates are eligible for a Fulbright scholarship if, and only if, they can assure authorities in the United States that there will be no clinical contact with patients. Medical graduates must be able to travel on a J-1 research visa to be eligible for a Fulbright Scholarship. Please see www.ecfmg.org for more information.
Graduates of all health sciences are considered medical graduates for this purpose.
I don't have a first class honours degree, is it worth while applying?
Generally, to be competitive for a Fulbright Postgraduate scholarship you will need to have a first class honours degree or high second class honours degree, however, applicants who have gone on to excel in their chosen field will be considered.
Does the Fulbright Scholarship cover tuition fees?
Not specifically. Fulbright Scholars will receive a travel allowance and a monthly stipend. It is at the discretion of the scholar as to how he/she uses the stipend.
Scholars are advised to seek fee waivers once they've been admitted to the university of their choice. Scholars should be warned that it is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain fee waivers, particularly from the more prestigious universities.
I have been awarded another grant(s) to undertake study/research in the United States, am I eligible for a Fulbright scholarship?
Yes, recipients of other grants are eligible for a Fulbright Scholarship so long as the other grant(s) does not fully-fund your program in the United States.
Note: recipients of the General Sir John Monash Awards are ineligible to receive a Fulbright Scholarship.
Can I commence my Fulbright program prior to 1 July of the year the scholarship is awarded?
No. Candidates must have approval of the J William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FSB) in the United States before commencing their program in the United States.
Can I defer my scholarship until next year?
No. Scholarships must be taken up during the year the scholarship is awarded, commencing 1 July.
Can I arrange for the Fulbright Scholarship to fund the second year of my U.S. program?
No. Funding is for the first year of your studies/research only. Applicants who have already commenced studies/research in the U.S. are ineligible for a scholarship.
Must I return to Australia at the completion of my Fulbright program?
Yes. Fulbright Scholars must travel on a J-1 visa sponsored by the Fulbright program. It is a condition of this visa that after expiration of the scholarship, scholars must return to Australia to reside for two years before being eligible to apply for a permanent residence or work visa in the United States. This is intended to ensure that Scholars fulfil the exchange nature of the program.
Applicants who stopover in a third country on returning from the United States, must return to Australia for two years before being eligible to apply for a permanent residence or work visa in the United States. The two years commences from the date of their return to Australia.
Can you tell me why I was not selected?
No. Each year the number of well qualified applicants greatly outnumbers the scholarships available. Final selection and the procedures to achieve this selection, are at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Australian-American Fulbright Commission and no correspondence will be entered into.