U.S. Government Opens 2027 Fulbright Master’s Scholarship for Sierra Leoneans

The U.S. Department of State has announced the opening of the Fulbright Foreign Student Program for the 2027-2028 academic year, offering fully funded scholarships for outstanding Sierra Leonean professionals to pursue Master’s degrees in the United States.

The application window for the program will open on February 23, 2026, at 9:00 AM and will close on April 5, 2026, at 11:59 PM.

Program Scope and Priority Fields The scholarship covers funding for one to two years, depending on the length of the academic program. While the program offers academic training, it also aims to promote leadership development, mutual understanding, and exposure to American values.

For the 2027 fiscal year, the program has identified several priority fields of study, including:

Eligibility and Requirements

To be considered, applicants must be Sierra Leonean citizens currently residing in the country. Candidates are required to have successfully completed a first degree equivalent to a bachelor’s with excellent scores. Additionally, applicants must possess at least five consecutive years of professional work experience following the completion of their bachelor’s degree.

Prospective scholars must demonstrate outstanding competencies in academics and the English language. While standardized tests such as the TOEFL and GRE are required, they do not need to be taken prior to application; they can be completed after candidates are shortlisted.

Commitment and Integrity

Selected candidates are expected to return to Sierra Leone upon completing their studies to contribute to national development. The program strictly forbids candidates from intending to immigrate permanently to the United States.

The Fulbright program has also implemented a zero-tolerance policy regarding plagiarism. All application materials will be processed using software to identify wrongful appropriation of ideas. Any instance of plagiarism will result in the disqualification of the nominee.

Application Process

Interested candidates must submit a completed online application, including academic transcripts, three letters of reference, an updated CV, and a one-page statement of study objectives.