Eligibility note: This fellowship is open only to citizens of the 10 ASEAN member states (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam) and Timor-Leste who live in the region. African nationals can’t apply. If you’re looking for US research fellowships open to Africans, see the related opportunities at the end.
The Fulbright U.S.-ASEAN Visiting Scholar Initiative funds academics, government officials, journalists and professionals from Southeast Asia to spend up to four months doing research at a US institution in the first half of 2028. Since 2012, more than 150 scholars have taken part. There are around 22 awards a year: 20 for ASEAN countries and two for Timor-Leste.
The deadline for the 2027–2028 cycle is 30 November 2026. Some national Fulbright offices set earlier dates; for example, the US Embassy in Dili lists 28 November.
At a Glance
| Programme | Fulbright U.S.-ASEAN Visiting Scholar Initiative |
| Duration | Up to 4 months in the US, starting January–March 2028 |
| Funding | Return airfare, a monthly stipend, settling-in and professional allowances, research fees and health insurance |
| Who can apply | Citizens of the ASEAN member states and Timor-Leste, living in the region |
| Awards | About 22 a year |
| Deadline | 30 November 2026 (check your country’s Fulbright office) |
Benefits
- International round-trip airfare
- A monthly stipend
- Professional and settling-in allowances
- Qualifying university lab and research fees
- Health and accident insurance
- Membership of the global Fulbright alumni network
No support is provided for dependants.
Eligibility
- You’re a citizen of an ASEAN member state or Timor-Leste and live there during the selection process.
- You’re a university faculty member, foreign ministry or government official, journalist, or a professional at a think tank, NGO or private company whose work focuses on US-ASEAN issues.
- You have a significant record of scholarly or professional achievement.
- You’re proficient in English.
- You’ll return to your country after the programme.
Not eligible: dual citizens, US permanent residents, people currently in the US, recent Fulbright grantees (within 5 years), and J-1 research scholars from the past 2 years. Applicants without recent substantial US experience are preferred.
Research Areas
Projects should be regional in scope, or have clear implications for ASEAN as a whole. Eligible subjects include education, financial market integration, food technology, information sciences, journalism, law, environmental science, public administration, public and global health, and trade and investment.
How to Apply
- Create an account on the IIE application portal and select the Fulbright U.S.-ASEAN Visiting Scholar Program.
- Upload your CV (up to 6 pages) and a 3–5 page project proposal.
- Add writing samples (up to 20 pages) and a bibliography.
- Get three letters of recommendation. A letter of invitation from a US host institution is strongly preferred.
- Add any national documents your country’s Fulbright office requires, such as a police clearance or transcripts.
- Submit before your country’s deadline (30 November 2026 in most cases).
Official IIE application portal · Programme details (Fulbright Philippines)
