Apply for the Fulbright. From here.

Check you qualify

Before anything else, make sure you tick every box. Miss one and the rest doesn't matter.

• You're a national of Trinidad and Tobago and hold a T&T passport.
• You're not a U.S. permanent resident or green card holder, and not a dual U.S./T&T citizen.
• You graduated from a local tertiary institution with a high pass (upper second or first class).
• You haven't spent a lot of recent time (the past 3–5 years) living or studying in the U.S. Preference goes to those who haven't already had that chance.
• You can commit to returning to T&T for at least two years after you finish. Required under the J-1 visa. Not optional.
• Your field can be anything, master's or PhD, as long as it doesn't require clinical practice on patients or clients.

Pick one programme

There are two graduate scholarships open, and the application link is the same for both. You can only apply to one.

• Foreign Student Program. For most applicants. A master's or PhD at a U.S. university.
• Faculty Development Program. For educators nominated by a T&T higher-ed institution, dedicated to university teaching.

All fields are welcome, but some align with current development priorities. These include AI, machine learning and data science, computer science, information systems and cybersecurity, GIS and geospatial science, tech innovation and entrepreneurship, bioinformatics, international relations and national security, public administration, policy and economic planning, justice and legal studies, public health and health administration, and non-clinical nursing education.

Start your application

Open the portal early, even before your essays are done. Seeing the form tells you exactly what's needed, so nothing surprises you in the final week.

When you're in, select the 2027/2028 cycle. Spell your name in English with no accent marks. Inside the form you'll list your schools, your awards, and (for placement) up to 8 university preferences in order. That's where your schools go, never in your essays. More on that in Steps 6 and 7.

Collect your documents

Pull these together now. Some depend on other people, so the earlier you start, the safer you are.

• Transcripts. Official, certified copies from every post-secondary school, listing courses and grades. Upload copies now; sealed officials come later if you're a finalist.
• Diplomas and degrees. Copies of the originals. Translated to English if needed (a literal translation, not interpretive).
• CV or résumé. Your work, education, skills, and activities.
• GRE or GMAT. Only if you become a finalist, and only for some fields. Don't let it slow your application down now.
• Passport biodata page. Needed later for your DS-2019 and J-1 visa.
• Writing sample. Required for PhD and some master's fields. 10–20 pages of your best work in your field.

Want the full checklist in your hand? It's in the Application Guide below.

Sort your three letters

You need three letters of reference, and at least one must come from an academic who can speak to your academic potential.

Choose them well:

• Pick people who know you well, not the most senior name who barely knows you.
• Choose referees who'll say different things about you, so the letters cover different strengths.
• Ask them today. Send your CV and draft essays right away so they can move fast.
• Follow up gently a week before the deadline.

Write your Study Objective

This essay shows what you want to study and why you're a fit. One to two pages. The official guide asks you to write, in your own words, about your degree objective and specific interests, why this area, the kind of programme you expect and how it fits your background and goals, how your interests connect to challenges in T&T, and how you'll apply your studies when you return.

Don't start from a blank page. The Essay Companion below walks you through this essay move by move.

Write your Personal Statement

This is the human one. Who you are and where you're going. One to two pages. The official guide asks you to write about who you are and what matters to you, your unique qualifications, the experiences and people that pushed you toward this path, your commitment to the field, the contribution you want to make, and what you'll do with the degree.

Stay clear of plagiarism

Fulbright has a zero-tolerance plagiarism policy. Plagiarism anywhere in your application disqualifies you. Take this seriously.

• Write every word yourself. Having someone else write your essay, even a small part, counts as plagiarism.
• If you use anyone's words, ideas, statistics or images, cite them, even when you paraphrase. Use APA, MLA, or Chicago.
• Quoting word-for-word? Use quotation marks and cite. Avoid quotes of 40+ words.
• When in doubt, cite. There's nothing wrong with citations.

Submit early, then the finalist stage

Submit on the portal with time to spare, not on the final night. Uploads fail and sites slow down near the deadline. Don't let that be your story.

If you're shortlisted by September 1, here's what comes next.

• You'll sit the GRE or GMAT (depending on your field) before September 1.
• Your university emails sealed official transcripts straight to the Fulbright Office (POS-exchange@state.gov, for the attention of Kervelle Durant-Julien).
• Watch your email. Only shortlisted candidates are contacted.