Hosting Fulbright Scholars and Students at UW

The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government. It is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and people of other countries. Each year, hundreds of international faculty and students receive Fulbright awards for advanced research, study, and university lecturing in the United States.

Hosting Fulbright Scholars  | Hosting Fulbright Students

Fulbright logo

Guidance for Hosting Fulbright Scholars at UW

UW has hosted many visiting Fulbright Scholars over the years. Hosting provides unique opportunities to develop robust research and future collaborations.

Seven scholars from Tunisia with the Tunisia flag in the UW Business College

Scholars are identified in two ways:

  • An institution can encourage an international scholar to apply
  • An international scholar can apply independently (in which case a department will hear from them either early in the application or once they have been awarded a grant but not a location.

 

Advice to the scholar:

  • The scholar must be in touch with the Fulbright Commission and the U.S. Embassy in their home country to understand requirements and application processes. These vary according to country of origin.

 

Role of a UW department at this stage:

  • Learn more about inviting a scholar to UW on the Fulbright website.
  • Research what it means to host a scholar
  • If the potential scholar seems like a good fit for your department, provide a letter inviting / accepting the scholar that explains how their interests connect with the department’s work, the work they will do at UW, the supervision / partnership they will receive, and the terms on which they will be present at UW (what will your department provide as support, etc.).

  • Connect with the scholar before arrival: answer questions and assist them in coordinating with departments across campus.
  • Connect them with ISS to assist them in accessing resources for obtaining a social security number, bank account, relevant IDs, and getting connected to the international community at UW. Note: ISS does not handle anything immigration-related for Fulbright Scholars. Any immigration questions must go through the Fulbright Program itself.
  • Work with IT to obtain an email address for the scholar.
  • Provide office space for the scholar.
  • Provide consistent networking support for the scholar for the duration of their stay, including consistent introductions to relevant colleagues and invitations to department and campus events.
  • Provide consistent, timely supervision of the scholar for the duration of their stay. Note that if a UW host is unavailable, the department must ensure supervision responsibilities are met.
  • Be the main point of contact for all program questions and concerns, including being the initial resource for questions about housing, transportation, finances, and healthcare.

  • Global Engagement provides no direct oversight of visiting Fulbright scholars, but can be a helpful resource in answering questions and connecting the scholar to appropriate resources.
  • Contact Warren Crawford with WyoGlobal, who will direct you to resources.

  • Individual Fulbright awards vary. Scholars should thoroughly check and understand the nature of their Fulbright award—what it covers and what it requires of them.
  • Visiting scholars are ultimately responsible for their housing, transportation, finances, wellbeing, and overall success.
  • The host department at UW can help scholars achieve success by supporting their queries and concerns, as scholars will need time and assistance to learn how to support themselves on campus and in Laramie.

  • Immigration: Visa provision and support.
  • Finances: Includes a monthly stipend and additional allowances. Fulbright also provides guidance on tax questions.
  • Healthcare: health coverage for accidents and illness.
  • Arrival and departure travel: Covers all costs for the scholar's arrival and departure, at the beginning and end of their stays.

Housing:

  • Housing is the responsibility of the scholar, with assistance from their host department.
  • On-campus housing is available through the Housing & Dining Office. Spaces are limited, so connecting scholars with Housing & Dining early in the process will best assist them.
  • Off-campus housing can be sourced through social media groups and local property management websites.

 

Transportation:

  • Transportation is primarily the responsibility of the scholar.
  • Host departments should assist scholars in learning how to use the local shuttle system.
  • ISS coordinates several trips around the state and region each semester for education, logistical, and cultural engagement needs. Visiting scholars are welcome to take part in those opportunities.

  • Host departments should familiarize themselves with the specifics of the Fulbright award provided to the scholar to best assist them.
  • Make sure to confirm the specific status scholars are applying for. There are many kinds of Fulbright awards. Supervision models will be different depending on the kind of award the scholar is operating under.
  • Visit the Fulbright Non-US Scholars website for more information.

Guidance for Hosting Fulbright Students at UW

Fulbright supports foreign graduate students and young professionals in studying and conducting research in the US. UW frequently hosts students through this program, most frequently through the Foreign Student Program and Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Program.

A Fulbright student shares a poster on Castanyada at an event

Foreign Fulbright students apply through two placement models: IIE-Placement and Self-Placement.

  • IIE-Placement: IIE secures opportunities on behalf of candidates as the first point of contact, applying to US institutions, managing admission, and negotiating funding.
  • Self-Placement: Candidates apply directly to UW, and manage their entire admission and funding process with no IIE involvement.

 

At UW, candidates’ first point of contact will be Admissions, regardless of placement model. Once admitted, candidates will coordinate with their relevant departments and support staff in the same manner as other international students.

At UW, to host an FLTA, departments must complete an institutional application. These must be complete annually and are due on February 27, 2026, for the 2026-27 academic year.

  • As part of the application, departments must provide fee and tuition waivers and arrange an appropriate work schedule

 

Fulbright requests host departments cover as much of the candidates’ financial support as possible, above the mandatory fee and tuition waivers. Host departments are able to request financial assistance from Fulbright. Such assistance varies depending on the need and language taught by the candidate.

 

Candidates apply through Fulbright and are placed with UW by IIE.

  • Connect with the student before arrival: answer questions and assist them in coordinating with relevant departments across campus
  • Connect them with ISS to assist them in accessing resources for obtaining a social security number, bank account, relevant IDs, and getting connected to the international community at UW. Note: ISS does not handle anything immigration-related for Fulbright students. Any immigration questions must go through the Fulbright Program itself.
  • Provide consistent, timely supervision of the student as needed, based on their role as a student or FLTA.
  • Ensuring financial expectations are met, if required, and for coordinating with Fulbright if financial assistance is needed.
  • Be the main point of contact for all program questions and concerns, including being the initial resource for questions about housing, transportation, finances, and healthcare.

  • Global Engagement provides no direct oversight of visiting Fulbright scholars, but can be a helpful resource in answering questions and connecting the scholar to appropriate resources.
  • Contact Warren Crawford with WyoGlobal, who will direct you to resources.

  • Students are responsible for their required workload and ensuring they follow UW policy to maintain student status.
  • Students are ultimately responsible for their housing, transportation, finances, well-being, and overall success.
  • The host department at UW can help students achieve success by supporting their queries and concerns, as scholars will need time and assistance to learn how to support themselves on campus and in Laramie.

  • Immigration: Visa provision and support.
  • Finances: Fulbright can provide cost-sharing assistance for FLTAs in certain circumstances, if requested.

Housing:

  • Housing is the responsibility of the student, with assistance from their host department.
  • On-campus housing is available through the Housing & Dining Office. Spaces are limited, so connecting students with Housing & Dining early in the process will best assist them.
  • Off-campus housing can be sourced through social media groups and local property management websites.

 

Transportation:

  • Transportation is primarily the responsibility of the student.
  • Host departments should assist students in learning how to use the local shuttle system.
  • ISS coordinates several trips around the state and region each semester for education, logistical, and cultural engagement needs. Fulbright students are encouraged to take part in those opportunities.

  • Host departments should familiarize themselves with the specifics of the Fulbright award provided to the student to best assist them.
  • Make sure to confirm the specific status students are attending UW with. There are many kinds of Fulbright awards. Supervision models will be different depending on the kind of award the student is operating under.
  • Visit the Fulbright Foreign Student Program website for more information.