Scholarships to the United States of America for Sri Lankan Citizens

The United States-Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission (US-SLFC) is pleased to announce the awards competition for several Fulbright scholarship/fellowship opportunities for Sri Lankan citizens to study, conduct research, teach and engage in professional development activities in the United States.

US-SLFC was founded in 1952 by an agreement between the government of the United States of America and the government of Sri Lanka to administer educational and cultural exchange programs between the two countries; to promote mutual cultural understanding and strengthen bi-lateral relationships between the U.S. and Sri Lanka. For 73 years, over 2000 Sri Lankan and American students and scholars from all walks of life have participated in various academic programs monitored by the Fulbright Scholarship Board. The US-SLFC also offers an educational advising service, which provides individual/group counselling and reference material on educational opportunities, admission processes and standardized tests for those desirous of studying in America. The US-SLFC is also a hub for promoting study abroad and internship opportunities in Sri Lanka for American nationals.

Applications are now open for the following scholarships awarded for the U.S. academic year of 2027-2028. Comprehensive eligibility requirements and other guidelines pertaining to each award can be found at www.fulbrightsrilanka.org.

➢ Fulbright Master’s Fellowship Awards/Program:

Awards for outstanding Sri Lankans to pursue a Master’s degree at a U.S. university in any discipline (except clinical medicine). Awards are open to individuals with a 4-year Bachelor’s degree, plus one year of professional work experience after graduation and meeting other listed requirements.
Application Deadline: May 31, 2026

➢ Fulbright Visiting Scholar Awards/Program:

If you are a Sri Lankan academic, artist, or professional who is interested in going to America to do post-doctoral research, teach, perform, consult, or do other activities. Favor will be given to individuals that will benefit Sri Lanka upon their return, to fields that are particularly important to the Sri Lankan and American context, and to candidates who have not previously spent time in the U.S. You need a letter of invitation from a host university, think tank, institution, or organization.

Awards are open for:

• professionals from all fields to undertake a project with a collaborator in the United States, that will help build capacity in Sri Lanka. Applicants must possess a minimum of 5 years of professional experience, demonstrate significant accomplishments, commitment to developing the field and meeting other listed requirements.
• scholars in any field, to pursue postdoctoral research and/or lecturing at a U.S. university or research institution. Individuals with a Ph.D., plus a minimum of 5 years of professional experience and meeting other listed requirements are encouraged to submit applications

Application Deadline: October 1, 2026

➢ Fulbright Specialist Awards/Program:

Awards for Sri Lankan institutions to bring U.S. specialists in selected disciplines for a period of 2-6 weeks to meet specific educational or training needs and to foster the program goals of building capacity and creating collaborative linkages between U.S. and Sri Lankan institutions.

Eligible Institutions: Institutions of Higher Education (recognized degree-granting, post-secondary academic institutions); Government Institutions (ministries or agencies, courts, parliamentary or congressional bodies); Cultural Institutions (conservatories, museums, etc.); Non-Governmental Organizations including non-partisan, issue-centered institutions such as think tanks; Medical Institutions (public health organizations, teaching hospitals, etc.).

Eligible Fields: See website for eligible fields and areas of specialization.

Eligible project activities include but not limited to: Teaching or training at the undergraduate/post-graduate level; delivering seminars or workshops; developing academic or training curricula and/or teaching/educational materials; conducting needs assessments for a program or institution; consulting on faculty or workforce development and institutional planning; and building capacity of faculty, administrators, or staff.
Application Deadline: Rolling Deadline

➢ Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Awards:
Open to secondary level teachers in specific subject fields to engage in a six-week program to experience U.S. classroom teaching while sharing expertise with teachers around the world. Individuals with a 4-year Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent, a minimum of 5 years of post-qualifying teaching experience and meeting additional requirements are encouraged to submit applications.
Application Deadline: March 31, 2026

➢ Fulbright Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Awards/Program:
Fellowships for accomplished, mid-career professionals in leadership positions in specified fields with a *commitment to public service and to the development of Sri Lanka to pursue a ten-month, non-degree program. Individuals with a 4-year Bachelor’s degree, a minimum of 5 years of significant post-qualifying professional experience and meeting additional requirements are encouraged to submit applications.
Application Deadline: June 30, 2026
Application Link: Will be available in April 2026

Application Instructions for All Awards/Programs

Find detailed eligibility criteria, application instructions and the link to the
application form for each award at www.fulbrightsrilanka.org

Important: Due to the large volume of applications anticipated, we are unable to acknowledge receipt of applications, and only candidates shortlisted for interviews will be notified

For questions, write to: inquiries@fulbrightsrilanka.org

“A rare opportunity for Sri Lankans to study, teach, research, and grow in the United States through one of the world’s most prestigious scholarship programs.”