Adapted from a document by Jermaine Jones, Regional Program Manager, IIE-Fulbright

What kind of affiliation do I need?

Use the host country page on the Fulbright US Student Program website to understand what is required for your letter of affiliation; countries differ in the kinds of host affiliations that are required and/or acceptable. Depending upon the country, the host affiliation can be an academic institution, a research institute, a non-profit organization and/or individuals at any one of these or other types of relevant institutions. In the arts, the affiliation may be with a person (a writer, musician, or artist) or an arts organization or foundation.

Some countries require that you affiliate with or attend an academic institution.

How do I find an affiliation?

The country requirements will tell you if you need to find an affiliation for yourself or if one will be selected for you.  Almost all research or arts applicants must make their own affiliations.

Some tips for finding an affiliation:

  • Use the contacts and advisers you already have – ask professors or other mentors to see if they can help you connect with appropriate hosts in other countries.
  • Do research on who is working in your field on topics that interest you; see if anyone is in a country where you want to undertake the Fulbright.
  • Check the Fulbright grantee directory (you can search by country) and do a web search for contact information of past Fulbright US Student Program grantees whose projects seem similar to yours.  They may be able to recommend people to contact.
  • Check the Fulbright Scholars directory to see if there are recent Fulbright grantees (to the US) from your country of interest.  People who are already familiar with the Fulbright program can make excellent contacts and excellent hosts.
  • If you are running into difficulties, be sure to ask Marynel!

How do I approach a potential host?

Once you find a possible host, make contact by sending a brief introductory email. Try not to overwhelm them with information; this is an opening communication and you can always share your resume/CV as an attachment if they would like to learn more about you. It can be helpful, if you speak the language they would ordinarily communicate in, to let them know that – although you wrote in English – you would be happy to receive communication in the language of their choice. And be patient – many academic institutions are closed during the summer months, so you may have to wait for a response.  Reliable internet access also varies from country to country.

Start as early as possible, because it can take time to secure a letter of affiliation on letterhead with original signatures [to be scanned and sent to you via email as a PDF so that you can upload them into the application].

Contact only one person at a time, so that you do not end up in the embarrassing situation of having to explain to an eager potential host that you’ve chosen someone else.

It may seem intimidating to contact some of these people, especially professors, but it’s necessary for the affiliation process.  And the worst anyone can do is ignore your email or say no!  If that happens, you can contact the next person on your list.

What should the letter of affiliation include?

Your Fulbright application will be stronger if you include a letter of affiliation on institutional letterhead.  Although there is always the possibility of adding a late letter at the semi-finalist stage, an application submitted without one is at a disadvantage in the initial National Screening Committee stage.

There are no specific requirements for the letter of support from the host institution. Every affiliation relationship will be different depending upon the candidate’s project.

The letter should state how the supervisor/host institution will help the applicant to facilitate the project (i.e., what resources will be offered, what kind of supervision will be given, etc.). For independent research projects, the letter of affiliation is crucial to establishing the feasibility of the project.  Ideally, your letter will include as much detail as possible, but the host/institution will determine exactly what type of support they are willing to offer you.

The letter of affiliation can be short, as long as it includes the following:

  • it states who your host is and what they do;
  • it shows knowledge of your project and aims (can be broad strokes);
  • it identifies the nature of the connection you will have with the institution/lab [this is likely to include how they might assist you (e.g., help you network, provide certain facilities, offer you a position in a lab, supervise your research, mentor you, etc.)];
  • and it shows some enthusiasm about your chances of being awarded the Fulbright.

NOTE: the salutation of the letter of affiliation should simply read “Dear Fulbright Selection Committee:” You can share the sample letter of affiliation linked at the right with your potential host if they would like a model.

What if I am applying to study/pursue a degree?

If your plan is to complete a Master’s or other degree or to attend a structured degree program, make sure you apply for admission to the host university by their deadline. Do not wait for the Fulbright decision to come through, or you may be too late in gaining admission into your chosen university.

 If you are applying for admission to a study/Master’s program, you do not need to submit the letter of admission with the application (many applications do not even open until after the Fulbright deadline).  If you are selected for a Fulbright to support your studies, the award will be contingent on acceptance to the university/program. If you are applying for a degree program, obtaining a letter of support from a faculty member at the host university will strengthen your application, but is not necessary, and some universities or departments  will not allow individual faculty members to provide letters of support to applicants.