Fulbright Master’s and PhD Grants – Türkiye

The Fulbright Master’s and PhD Grants are run by the Turkish Fulbright Commission, which was established in 1949 under an agreement between Türkiye and the United States. They are merit-based awards for Turkish students and graduates who want to complete a Master’s or doctoral degree at a U.S. university. The grants are offered across fields and last up to two years. Grantees travel on a J-1 exchange visitor visa, and the J-1 terms require returning to Türkiye after the program, with a two-year home-residency expectation noted in the Commission’s presentation. Selected candidates then apply to U.S. universities with the Commission’s support, and they attend a pre-departure orientation. Don’t confuse it with the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) program or with the Türkiye Scholarships (Türkiye Burslar?), a separate Turkish-government award for foreigners studying in Türkiye.

1. A grant of up to US$50,000 across a two-year period, per EducationUSA.
2. J-1 visa sponsorship.
3. Support from the Commission, including advising and a pre-departure orientation.
4. Fulbright’s standard foreign-student package normally also includes health benefits and enrichment activities, but the Commission’s page didn’t list specifics, so confirm on its website before stating them.

1. You must be a citizen of Türkiye.
2. You should be a student or graduate seeking a Master’s or PhD in the U.S. A bachelor’s degree is needed for the Master’s, and typically a Master’s for the PhD, so confirm the current rules on the Commission’s page.
3. You need a strong academic record.
4. You need English proficiency, as Fulbright programs generally require.
5. You must be willing to return to Türkiye after the grant (J-1 conditions).
6. Applicants who already hold a degree or are studying in the U.S. may face restrictions, so confirm the current rules with the Commission.