Fulbright Scholars

Fulbright scholars are not admitted to a KSU degree program, but are fully financed by the U.S. State Department to pursue short-term research objectives in the U.S.

KSU does not issue the Form DS-2019 for Fulbright Scholars. The scholar should reach out to the Fulbright Commission granting the award to inquire about the issuance of the Form DS-2019. The Office of Global Strategies and International Affairs(OIA) will serve as the Administrative Official for the KSU on the Institutional Reply Form that is typically required by IIE, the agency that typically administers Fulbright scholar awards.

Fulbright scholars group shot

Fulbright Commissions in countries around the world offer fully-funded scholarship opportunities for scholars to collaborate with colleagues in the U.S. The scholarships are competitive and are not guaranteed to all applicants.

Typical application process:

  • Applicant identifies KSU faculty working in similar research areas.
  • Applicant contacts KSU faculty regarding their proposed research activity and requests a preliminary letter of interest in the collaboration.
  • Interested KSU faculty completes visiting scholar procedures for unpaid scholars up to the invitation letter step.
  • If approved, the KSU department sends a letter of invitation to the Fulbright applicant, copying the Responsible Officer (RO) of the KSU J-1 Exchange Visitor Program at eric.yang@kysu.edu.
  • Applicant submits their application to the Fulbright Commission in their home country with their detailed research proposal and KSU invitation letter.
  • If the Fulbright Commission decides to grant the scholarship to the individual, they notify the applicant and IIE (Institute of International Education).
  • IIE confirms the affiliation with KSU through an Institutional Reply Form that the RO will complete, sign, forward to the hosting faculty for signature, and return to IIE, copying the department.
  • Hosting department proceeds with volunteer appointment onboarding in order to ensure that the scholar has the access they will require upon arrival.
  • IIE issues the Form DS-2019 to the visitor and assists with the visa application process.
  • Fulbright scholar checks in with the hosting department and visits OIA for a welcome packet that may assist with settling into campus and the community.

Fulbright Scholar is not required to attend OIA orientation, but they are welcome.