Fulbright Awards for Americans


U.S. Student Awards

If you are an American student who wants to come to Sri Lanka to do research and have the experience of a lifetime, please explore whether a Fulbright award is right for you. These nine-month grants offer the recipient an opportunity to independently develop a research proposal in a field of special interest relevant to the grantee. These grants are ideal for self-motivated researchers who want to build bridges of understanding and peace between Sri Lanka and the USA. 

These awards are administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE). Please see the IIE website for more information

U.S. Scholar Awards

If you are an American academic, artist, or professional who is interested in coming to Sri Lanka to teach, research, perform, consult, or do other activities please consider a Scholar Award. You must be committed to the mission of Fulbright to “increase mutual understanding and support friendly and peaceful relations between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.” 

These awards are intended for highly motivated and engaging individuals who are comfortable in cross-cultural settings. If you are up for a life-changing experience, please consider applying for this Fulbright Scholars Award. 

These awards are administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE). Please see the IIE website for more information

U.S. Fulbright Specialist Award

The Fulbright Specialist Program pairs highly qualified U.S. citizens with host institutions in Sri Lanka to share their expertise, strengthen institutional linkages, hone their skills, gain international experience, and learn about the rich cultures here. University faculty members and highly experienced non-academics, including legal experts, business professionals, artists, scientists, and journalists, are encouraged to apply.

The Fulbright Specialist Program offers year-round project opportunities of two to six weeks in length. The shorter duration of Specialist projects is beneficial for both the U.S. academic or professional who may not be available to leave their position for an extended period of time and the host institution which needs an experienced partner on a short-term basis.

Fulbright Specialists in Sri Lanka can pursue activities including, but not limited to:

  • Delivering seminars, trainings or workshops
  • Consulting on faculty or workforce development
  • Developing academic or training curricula and materials
  • Lecturing at the graduate or undergraduate level
  • Engaging in strategic or institutional planning
  • Conducting needs assessments or evaluations for a program or institution

At US-SLFC, we would gladly help connect those on the U.S. Fulbright Specialist Roster with appropriate institutions in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan institutions can request a Fulbright Specialist (see “Awards for Sri Lankans” page for more on how). 
For more on becoming a Fulbright Specialist, please see the World Learning website for more information.

Fulbright Regional Travel Awards

For U.S. Scholars who are on Fulbright awards in the South Central Asia region, we would welcome you to come to Sri Lanka on a Fulbright Regional Travel Award. These Regional Travel Grants provide Scholars already in one of the eligible South and Central Asian countries financial support to travel to another SCA country for a 3 to 14 day period.

Please see this one-page document for general information on the program and how to apply.