The Fulbright/University of Manchester Award is a partnership award of the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, offered with the US-UK Fulbright Commission and the University of Manchester.
It sends one American graduate to Manchester, England, to begin a taught master’s or research degree in any field the university offers, except the MBA. Only the first year of study is funded.
Benefits & funding
- Full tuition waiver for the first year of study
- £19,991 living stipend over a 10-month grant (an estimate, subject to change)
- US$1,500 travel stipend, plus travel and accommodation for required Commission enrichment events
- Accident and sickness cover and a 24/7 mental health line
- Later years of a longer degree are not covered
Eligibility
- US citizens or nationals at the deadline; permanent residents are not eligible; dual US-UK citizens may apply
- Must not be a UK resident; six or more months in the UK in the year before the grant bars you, unless on an undergraduate study abroad programme
- A bachelor’s degree (or equivalent professional training or experience) before the grant starts
- Not eligible: PhD holders, or anyone who lived abroad five or more of the six years before the deadline
- The MBA, part-time and distance-learning courses are not covered
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.
“Hold a Bachelor degree or equivalent professional training/experience in a relevant field before departure to the UK … applicants who hold a Ph.D. at the time the grant is to begin … Applicants who have spent six or more months in the host country in the year prior to the grant are ineligible for consideration unless the applicant is in the UK for an undergraduate study abroad program … Anyone who has resided abroad for five or more years in the six-year period preceding the national application deadline.” Eligibility
Eligible nationalities
USA
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Application process
- 1Submit the Fulbright online application, choosing the University of Manchester award, with three recommendations by 6 October 2026, 5pm ET.
- 2Apply separately to Manchester for your course, ideally before 13 January 2027; Fulbright does not pay the university’s application fee.
- 3Shortlisted applicants have a video interview, which cannot be rescheduled.
Program timeline
6 October 2026, 5pm ET
Fulbright deadline (2027–28 cycle)
Manchester application, ideally by
13 January 2027
interviews
February–March 2027
all candidates notified
April 2027
arrival in the UK
September 2027