The Fulbright/Loughborough University PhD Award is a partnership award in the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, run by the US-UK Fulbright Commission with Loughborough University.
It funds one American graduate to take any Loughborough PhD programme, at its Loughborough or London campus, for up to three years.
Benefits & funding
- Tuition waived for up to three years
- Living stipend of at least £20,780 a year for 2027–28 to 2029–30 (about £2,078 a month; an estimate, subject to change)
- Fulbright grant benefits, including a US$1,500 travel stipend and accident and sickness cover, last only the first academic year (10 months)
- No support for dependants
Eligibility
- US citizens or nationals at the deadline; permanent residents are not eligible; dual US-UK citizens may apply
- A bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) conferred before the grant starts; PhD holders are not eligible
- Full-time PhD study only; part-time, distance-learning courses and any part of a medical degree are excluded
- Not eligible: living or studying in the UK in 2026–27, or six or more months in the UK in the year before the grant, unless on an undergraduate study abroad programme
- Not eligible: anyone who lived abroad five or more of the six years before the deadline
- Preference goes to applicants without extensive (six months or longer) UK experience
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
“Applicants must have a conferred bachelor's degree or equivalent before the start of the grant period. … Applicants who currently hold or will hold a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) by the national application deadline. … Anyone who has resided abroad for five or more years in the six-year period preceding the national application deadline. … Applicants are ineligible for the 2027-2028 awards if they are residing or studying in the UK during the 2026-2027 academic year unless the applicant is in the UK for an undergraduate study abroad program.” Eligibility
Eligible nationalities
USA
Education required
Bachelor Enrolled · Bachelor
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Application process
- 1Submit the Fulbright online application, choosing Loughborough University, by 6 October 2026, 5pm ET, with a letter of support from your proposed PhD supervisor.
- 2Apply separately to Loughborough through its online portal, entering “Fulbright” as the studentship reference, ideally before 13 January 2027; an offer is needed before arrival.
- 3Shortlisted applicants interview by video call, which cannot be rescheduled.
Program timeline
6 October 2026, 5pm ET
Fulbright deadline (2027–28 cycle)
interviews
February–early March 2027
all applicants notified
Late April 2027
arrival in the UK
September 2027
next application round usually opens
Early April