Fulbright Scholarship Program for International Students

The Public Affairs Section of U.S. Mission Nigeria invites applications for the Fulbright Foreign Student Program for the 2025/2026 academic year. This prestigious research program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and managed by the Institute of International Education (IIE) in New York.

Application opens: February 1

Application closes: June 1

Important Deadline:

Please be aware that the final deadline for online application submission, along with all required supporting documents, is Monday, June 1. No late submissions will be accepted.

FFSP Program Objective:

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program (FFSP) aims to enhance African university capacities by providing advanced degree training and developing academic staff potential. Specifically, it targets outstanding young faculty members seeking to pursue doctoral research in the US.

Applicants must:

• Be Nigerian university or research institute doctoral students
• Be at least 2 years into their doctoral program in any field
• Meet application requirements by the specified deadline

Comprehensive Grant Coverage:

The grant provides a wide range of benefits, including:

• Round-trip airfare to the US
• Settling-in allowance
• Monthly living stipend
• Housing assistance
• Allowances for books, supplies, and computer
• Basic university health insurance (primary coverage)
• Fulbright ASPE health benefit (secondary coverage)

This comprehensive grant supports grantees' living and academic expenses in the US.

Important Grant Limitation:

Please note that the grant does not support family members. Grantees are not permitted to bring their spouse and/or children with them to the United States during their grant period.

Fields of Study:

The competition is open to applicants in a wide range of academic disciplines, including:

• STEM fields (science, engineering, technology)
• Arts and humanities
• Social sciences (economics, international relations, political science)
• Professional fields (journalism, public relations, media studies)
• Applied sciences (agriculture, food science, environmental science)
• Health sciences (public health)
• Business and management (tourism, public administration/policy)

Important Note:

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program is highly competitive, with particularly strong demand in fields such as:

• Journalism and communication
• Business administration
• STEM disciplines (chemistry, biology, physics, engineering)

Applicants in these fields should be aware of the intense competition and ensure their applications are exceptionally strong.

Eligibility Criteria:

To be considered for a Fulbright grant:

1. Applicants must be Nigerian citizens, nationals, or permanent residents with a valid Nigerian passport.
2. Applicants must be doctoral/PhD students, having completed a substantial portion of their program at a Nigerian university, with endorsement from their institution.
3. Master's and undergraduate students are not eligible.
4. Applicants must demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and strong English proficiency.
5. Applicants must take the TOEFL exam by May 202 and achieve a minimum score of 90.
6. Applicants must showcase high motivation, commitment, and a clear research proposal outlining objectives, methodology, timeline, and justification for conducting research in the US.

Selection Preferences:

• Priority will be given to applicants without prior US study experience.
• Applicants in business, law, and accounting should note that US placements may be challenging due to high demand and tuition concerns; proposals with an economics, development, or social sciences focus are encouraged.

Application Process:

To apply, please visit our website at :  https://apply.iie.org/ffsp2025 

Follow these steps:

• Complete the online application form in its entirety.
• Upload required supporting documents, including:

1.     3 academic and professional references
2.     Curriculum Vitae (CV)
3.     Academic transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
4.     Writing sample

Ensure all materials are submitted online by the specified deadline.

To start the application process:

Visit the website and create an account with your email address and a password. Keep your password secure, as you'll use it throughout the application process. Carefully read the instructions before beginning your application. Consider seeking guidance from senior colleagues who are Fulbright alumni.

Important Application Detail:

- When selecting your degree objective, choose "Visiting Researcher" or "Non-Degree" to ensure accurate processing of your FFSP program application.

Completing Your Application:

A complete application consists of:

• Online application with:

1.     Clear research objectives
2.     Professional resume
3.     Three electronic letters of reference
4.     Scanned student copies of academic transcripts
5.     TOEFL score report

• Hard copies of official academic transcripts mailed to our office

Mailing Addresses:

- For southern Nigeria applicants: U.S. Consulate General, Lagos

- For northern Nigeria applicants: U.S. Embassy, Abuja

Contact Information:

- Email questions to: Nigeriafulbright@state.gov

Selection Process:

Note that due to the program's popularity, only shortlisted candidates will be notified by the Public Affairs Office.

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