Who can apply?
People who are doing a doctorate at a higher education institution (university or university of applied sciences with the right to award doctorates) can apply. After completing the scholarship stay, the doctoral candidates will complete their doctoral thesis at their home university.
Further application requirements
- German citizenship
- Willingness to work for German-American understanding (in particular to deepen transatlantic academic relations)
- At the time of application, the doctoral candidates have completed a university degree (Diplom, Magister, first state examination, Master's degree) and are doing their doctorate at a university or university of applied sciences with the right to award doctorates
- The planned US research project is directly related to the dissertation project. It must be possible to complete it within the planned funding period.
- For the application, an official written invitation from the intended (accredited) US host institution must be submitted, which refers to the implementation and supervision of the research project
Scholarship benefits
- Travel allowance of 1,400 euros
- Monthly maintenance allowance of 2,400 euros (for a maximum of six months)
- Monthly lump sum for maintenance costs for accompanying family members (for a maximum of six months): 276 euros for the partner, 400 euros for the first child, 100 euros for each additional child
- A one-off lump sum for incidental costs of 300 euros
- Health and accident insurance
- Fulbright J-1 visa free of charge
- Inclusion in the international Fulbright network
- Participation in digital Fulbright Orientation Sessions
Application procedure and deadlines
Two application deadlines apply:
1 May 2025 for a stay in the U.S. beginning between 1 January and 31 May 2026. The call for applications begins in March, and the current application form will be available here from that date.
1 November 2025, for a stay in the USA between 1 August and 31 December 2026. The call for applications begins in September, and the current application form can be found here.
More information: fulbright.de/en/grants/program/doktorandinnenprogramm