Fulbright Foreign Student Program 2027–2028 – South Africa The Fulbright Foreign Student Program (FFSP), administered by the U.S. Mission South Africa, provides grants for South African university graduates to pursue postgraduate studies in the United States. The program excludes MBA and medical or veterinary studies requiring clinical contact with patients. Fulbright scholars receive comprehensive support, including visa assistance, health insurance, pre-departure orientation, and re-entry sessions. Available Opportunities: Fulbright Foreign Student Program 2027–2028 – South Africa 1. Visiting Student Researcher (VSR – Non-Degree) For South African PhD students already enrolled at a South African university Candidates may conduct one year of research at a U.S. university Current NRF-funded PhD students are especially encouraged to apply 2. Master’s or PhD Scholarships Scholarships cover full tuition for two years for a single degree (either Master’s or PhD) Master’s applicants: must hold a 4-year bachelor’s degree or a 3-year bachelor’s degree with honors PhD applicants: must have completed a Master’s degree Eligibility Criteria: Fulbright Foreign Student Program 2027–2028 – South Africa Applicants must: Be a South African citizen or a permanent resident with at least 5 years of residency Not be currently residing in the U.S. or hold dual U.S. citizenship Meet the academic qualifications for the program they are applying to For VSR: must remain registered in their home PhD program What the Selection Committee Looks For: Fulbright Foreign Student Program 2027–2028 – South Africa Successful candidates demonstrate: Academic excellence and strong academic records Leadership potential in academic, professional, or community settings Clearly defined study objectives and alignment with U.S. universities Cultural sensitivity and a genuine interest in exchanging South African and U.S. culture Participation in extracurricular or community activities Commitment to giving back to South Africa after the program Required GRE and TOEFL scores for semi-finalists; vouchers are provided for selected candidates Applicants must also show they have researched and selected U.S. universities that align with their academic and career goals. Application Process Online Application: https://apply.iie.org/ffsp2027 Application Deadline: Midnight SAST, 8 April 2026 Applicants should review the following resources before applying: South Africa FFSP Application Guidelines and Instructions 2027-2028 Faculty Outreach Tips and Guidelines Transcript Guidelines Guidelines for Letters of Recommendation Plagiarism and Essay Guidelines Resume Tips Tips for Fulbright Arts Candidates For questions not covered in these resources, contact the Fulbright Office at: fpsa@state.gov LEARN MORE HERE MS Teams Information Sessions Prospective applicants can attend online information sessions to learn more about the program and application process: 30 January 2026 – 11:00 am 12 February 2026 – 15:00 pm 25 February 2026 – 12:30 pm 6 March 2026 – 08:30 am 16 March 2026 – 15:00 pm 25 March 2026 – 08:00 am The Fulbright Foreign Student Program offers South African students and researchers an unparalleled opportunity to pursue academic excellence, engage in cultural exchange, and contribute to South Africa’s development after returning home. For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this scholar program. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.