2027 Fulbright Foreign Student Program in the MENA Region

The U.S. Embassy in Lebanon is pleased to announce the opening of the 2027 Fulbright Foreign Student Program application. The Fulbright Foreign Student Program supports graduate students, early career professionals, and researchers from Lebanon to research and study in the United States for one year or longer at U.S. universities or other educational institutions. Participants experience life in the United States and share their culture and traditions with Americans.

Participants will be selected through an open, merit-based competition in which leadership potential, academic excellence, and the ability to adjust to life in the United States are considered. By receiving a Fulbright Foreign Student Program award, participants become part of a global network of Fulbright participants and alumni.

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and is administered by Amideast in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Selected candidates should be available for interviews in Beirut during June 2026. Selected candidates should be available for interviews in City during Month 2026. In addition, Fulbright participants are subject to section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which is a post-program home-country physical presence requirement. Upon completion of their Fulbright Program, participants are required to return to and reside in their home country or territory for an aggregate of two years before being eligible for U.S. immigrant and certain nonimmigrant visas. For more details, please visit the U.S. Department of State website.

What does the Fulbright Foreign Student Program provide?

• Tuition and required fees for graduate study or research in the United States.
• Monthly stipend for reasonable living costs, and other allowances that may vary by country.
• A limited health benefits plan.
• Opportunities to participate in Fulbright pre-academic or enrichment programs.

Who is eligible to apply?

• Applicants must be a citizen of or permanent resident able to hold a passport from Lebanon or a holder of the Special Travel Document for Palestinian Refugees issued by the Lebanese Government.
• U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents are ineligible.
• Applicants must reside in Lebanon throughout the application, selection, nomination, and placement processes.
• Applicants must hold a U.S-equivalent bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution by the program start date.
• Applicants must have a strong academic background.
• Preference is given to applicants who have little or no previous experience studying or living in the United States.
• Applicants must be proficient in English or able to attend a Long-Term English (LTE) program prior to the start of their academic program.
• Applicants may apply for most fields of study, including the humanities, social sciences, science, technology, and engineering. However, programs involving clinical studies, such as medicine and

• nursing, are not permitted. Non-clinical programs, such as public health and nursing administration, are permitted.
• Applicants must have two years of professional work experience by May 2026 if applying for MBA (Master of Business Administration) programs.

What is the application process?

The most up-to-date information on how to apply, including eligibility requirements, can be found on the Amideast website. Complete an application on the 2027 Fulbright application website. Ensure that you are selecting the 2027-2028 cycle when completing your application.

Applicants are required to submit the following documents with their online application:

• Original academic transcripts and their certified translations, if originals are not available in English
• TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores (if available).
• A current résumé or CV detailing all prior education and work experience.
• Three letters of recommendation, in English or certified translations into English.
• A personal statement, in English, up to 600 words in length.
• A study/research objective statement, in English, relating to the field of study or research.
• Copy of passport (if available).

Application Tips

• Write clearly, using professional and understandable language.
• Demonstrate why you have chosen your field of study and how you are uniquely qualified to participate in the Fulbright Program.
• Use specific examples from your previous academic, professional, and personal experience.
• Proofread all materials for grammatical errors and spelling mistakes.
• Refrain from using sarcasm, jokes, or inappropriate humor.
• Cite any outside sources used in your essays. Plagiarism is a serious offense and may result in disqualification.
• Copying language/content produced by Generative AI directly into your application may negatively impact admission or affiliation decisions.
• All submitted work should be your own, based on your own original thoughts, ideas, and level of English language proficiency.