Fulbright Scholar Program

The Fulbright Scholar Program offers nearly 800 teaching, research or combination teaching and research awards in over 160 countries to faculty, administrators, researchers, and many others. Along with the Fulbright Student Program, It is one of the most widely recognized and prestigious international exchange programs in the world.

Twenty-four Geneseo faculty members have received Fulbright awards in the past 32 years. Many still teach at Geneseo and are willing to share their Fulbright experiences, along with tips about the process and the experience.

Geneseo Fulbrighters, left to right: Associate Professor of German, Slavic and Humanities Cynthia Klima (Germany, Central Europe); Professor of Education Leigh O’Brien (Iceland), Professor of Sociology Steve Derné (India), Professor of Political Science Jeff Koch (China), Professor of Finance Anthony Gu (China); Assistant Professor of Structural Geology Scott Giorgis (Chile); Vice Provost Glenn Geiser-Getz (Russia) and Associate Professor of Geography Jennifer Rogalsky (Ghana).

Fulbright faculty

About the Program

The Fulbright Scholar Program  provides grants to support research or teaching in a participating country for a set duration of time; often the equivalent of one academic semester or a full academic year.

Who is Eligible

The Fulbright Scholar Program is open to scholars and professionals at all stages of their careers, including retirement. The program supports activities and projects that promote the relationship between educational exchange and international understanding. Additional review criteria include credentials, training, professional standing; professional excellence and record of service to the field and home institution.

More information on eligibility requirements for Fulbright Scholars can be found on the Fulbright Scholar Program website.

Leave Requirements

The Office of the Provost encourages tenured or tenure-track full-time faculty to apply to the Fulbright Scholar Program. To ensure full institutional support⁠—full salary minus the stipend portion of the Fulbright award⁠—faculty should follow the internal process before submitting a Fulbright grant  application:

  1. Notify the Fulbright Scholar Liaison Michael Mills of the intent to submit (mills@geneseo.edu)
  2. Notify Vice Provost for Academic Success David Parfitt of intent to apply
  3. Notify your department chair of intent to apply
  4. Fill out approval form available from the Office of Sponsored Research website
  5. Obtain approval for a Title F leave from the president by (a) filling out an application for a Title F leave, and (b)  filling out forms for a Title F leave

Family Members

Most awards have no restrictions on accompanying dependents. Check the award description or consult the program staff responsible for that award to be sure. Many grantees bring their families and report that the time abroad benefited all family members. No additional financial benefits for dependents are awarded for the Fulbright Scholar Award.

Financial Benefits

Grant benefits vary by country and type of award. Generally speaking, Fulbright grants are budgeted to cover travel and living costs in-country for the grantee and their accompanying dependents. 

Faculty Highlight

"Ever since I started at Geneseo, I’ve felt very fortunate to have the support for both my teaching and my research at a primarily teaching college. We focus on teaching, and we care very much about what we do in the classroom with our students, but when I realized that Geneseo supported research, too, it became the perfect environment for me. I can accomplish everything I want to as a faculty member."

—Professor of Sociology Denise Scott, Fulbright Scholar

Read Denise's Story

Denise Scott and children

Countries Available

Many countries and many academic areas are included in the Fulbright Program. Applicants should browse the Fulbright Scholar catalog of awards for specifics.

How to Apply

If you intend to apply for a Fulbright Scholar award, you must first notify the Fulbright Scholar Liaison (millsm@geneseo.edu) and Vice Provost for Academic Success David Parfitt (parfitt@geneseo.edu).

The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program 2025-26 applications are due September 16, 2024.  

Fulbright Scholar awards are administered by the Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES), the scholar division of the Institute of International Education. Visit the Fulbright Scholar Program website for more information.

Michael Mills, Director of National Fellowships and Scholarships and Fulbright Scholar Liaison is the official Fulbright Campus Representative at Geneseo and can assist with the search and application process.

FAQs for Fulbright Scholar Program Applicants

What internal procedures do I need to follow as part of an application for a Fulbright Fellowship?

The Office of the Provost encourages tenured or tenure-track full time faculty to apply to the Fulbright Scholar Program.

To ensure full institutional support (full salary minus the stipend portion of the Fulbright award) faculty should follow the internal process before submitting a Fulbright grant application:

1)  Notify the Fulbright Scholar Liaison of the intent to submit  by emailing Michael Mills (millsm@geneseo.edu);

2) Notify your department chair of intent to apply;

3) Notify Vice Provost for Academic Success David Parfitt of intent to apply;

4) Fill out approval form available from the Office of Sponsored Research website;

5) Obtain approval for a Title F Leave from President Denise Battles by following the instructions and forms for a Title F Leave. Please see Geneseo’s Title F Leave policy. The PDF includes links to download the appropriate forms that must be filled out for a Title F Leave.

Will Geneseo support me if I already had a Fulbright grant? 

Yes, but Fulbright prioritizes first time applicants.

May I apply for a Fulbright grant if I don’t have tenure (and is it wise to do so)?

Fulbright Program does allow pre-tenured faculty to apply for Fulbright grants. However,  while Fulbright awards are certainly beneficial and prestigious, they do take faculty away from the campus for a significant period of time. This absence can have an impact on the kinds of teaching, scholarship, and service accomplishments that are often required or recommended for tenure.

Faculty should carefully consider this choice in consultation with their departments and with a full understanding of the relevant standards for tenure.  

How does serving a Fulbright affect tenure and promotion?

This depends upon department and college standards for tenure and promotion. Faculty should consult with their department chairs or deans and other mentors when making this decision. 

How does serving a Fulbright affect sabbaticals and retirement?

Fulbrighters are considered Title F leaves. Please see Geneseo’s Title F Leave policy. The PDF includes links to download the appropriate forms that must be filled out for a Title F Leave.