The University of Pittsburgh has a long history with the Fulbright program, both sending students and faculty around the world and welcoming international scholars to one of our campuses.
Established in 1946 and sponsored by the U.S. government through the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), the Fulbright Program is the pre-eminent example of global educational collaboration, fostering mutual understanding between the United States and partner nations worldwide.
There is no central office at Pitt that coordinates all Fulbright-related activities. This page is designed to serve as a resource to university students, faculty, and staff looking to apply for Fulbright funding or host a Fulbright visitor. It is meant to be a first stop to help identify key university contacts and next steps.
Visitors who are not sponsored by the Fulbright Program are likely considered Academic Visitors and processed through the Office of Trade Compliance. See www.visitors.pitt.edu to learn more.
Pitt to the World
Students, faculty, and staff already at Pitt and interested in Fulbright funding to travel abroad:
Outgoing Students
Pitt has been named a top Fulbright producer of Fulbright winners again this year! Students applying for funding through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program have an excellent resource at the Office of National Scholarships in the David C. Frederick Honors College. The Office of National Scholarships offers a Canvas Fulbright resource page for Pitt undergraduate and graduate students. Seasoned Fulbright Program Advisors are also available to help you improve your application. Check out the Frederick Honors website for workshops, deadlines, and more.
Outgoing Scholars
Faculty and staff should explore the opportunities for funding that the Fulbright program provides. In the United States, Fulbright funding is coordinated by the Institute for International Education (IIE), which is a useful resource for finding funding for teaching, research, or professional development abroad. The Fulbright U.S. Scholars Program offers U.S. faculty, administrators, and professionals grants.
Mentorship and Alumni
Faculty, staff, students, and alumni who have completed their Fulbright experiences should consider joining the Fulbright Association Greater Pittsburgh Chapter, a network of past Fulbright grantees. Find them on Facebook, Instagram, or email.
Faculty and staff who are submitting an application and interested in talking to a local Fulbright alumnus/a for tips on preparing a successful application, contact Dr. Mary Rauktis (School of Social Work), President of the Greater Pittsburgh Chapter to learn more.
In addition, IIE and the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs offer a wide array of resources for outgoing scholars.
Supplementary Financial Assistance
In case you require additional financial assistance to accept the Fulbright grant, explore possible additional grant funding available through the University Center for International Studies (UCIS) and PittFund$Me.
The World to Pitt
Incoming Fulbright-funded Students
Incoming students interested in enrolling in a Pitt graduate program supported in full or in part by Fulbright funding need to apply through the Institute for International Education (IIE) or similar organizations (depending on region), their local Fulbright office, or directly to the school at Pitt they are interested in enrolling in. When accepted, Pitts offers a variety of support through the Office of International Services (OIS) and the Division of Students Affairs offers several programs designed to help incoming international students acclimate to the US and to facilitate a holistic learning experience while at Pitt.
Departments/Schools
If you are admitting a student who applies through IIE or directly to your school, but has Fulbright funding, you may be asked to “top-off” the Fulbright scholarship. contact Amanda Godley and Allyson Delnore. UCIS can help schools work with IIE or other organizations to determine what unmet need exists. Funds are available from the Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Studies’ to assist schools in meeting this need, when possible.
Incoming Fulbright-funded Scholars
The University of Pittsburgh welcomes international scholars with Fulbright funding. For resources on how to navigate and get settled in Pittsburgh, we have curated a list of helpful resources, in addition to contacting the department hosting Fulbright scholars. The Fulbright SharePoint site is also available to Pitt faculty and staff and includes resources such as a formal letter of invitation template, a Fulbright Visitor Participation Agreement template, a sample university support form, and an administrator guide.
Italian Fulbright Distinguished Chair
Through a partnership with the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, the European Studies Center/University Center for International Studies, and the U.S.-Italy Fulbright Commission, Italian scholars from a variety of fields can apply to teach a course for a semester at the University of Pittsburgh. Applications are made through the Commission’s website: http://www.fulbright.it/university-of-pittsburgh.
Deadlines vary each year, but are typically in late winter/early spring.
Hungarian Fulbright Visiting Professorship
Through a partnership with Fulbright Hungary and the Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies (REEES) and the Honors College at Pitt, academics from Hungary may be eligible for a semester-long visiting appointment to teach an interdisciplinary undergraduate seminar in Hungarian Studies. Interested applicants should visit the page for the Hungarian Fulbright Visiting Professorship and Fulbright Hungary's website for details about eligibility, deadlines, and application processes.
Brazil Fulbright Distinguished Scholar Chair
Through a partnership with Brazil Fulbright and the Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS), Brazilian nationals can apply for a four month term researching, teaching one course, and joining activities such as lectures and seminars. Visit https://fulbright.org.br/bolsas-para-brasileiros/humanidades-ciencias-sociais-e-naturais-na-universidade-de-pittsburgh-pitt/ to learn more.
Elena DiGiovanni, Spring 2019 Italian Fulbright Distinguished Lecturer at Pitt, highlights why Pitt is a great place to be a visiting scholar. View the 4 minute, 40 second video, which is in both English and Italian.
Departments/Faculty Hosting Fulbright Scholars
Academic units looking to host Fulbright grantees can contact Dr. Allyson Delnore to seek support as they navigate recruitment and put together funding offers to complement Fulbright funding.
Please also refer to the Fulbright SharePoint site that is available for Pitt faculty and staff and contains a comprehensive administrator guide, a formal letter of invitation template, a sample university support form, and a Fulbright Visitor Participation Agreement template.