U.S. Embassy in sierra Leone officially unveiled the Fulbright Fellowship application portal on December 21st, 2023, exclusively catering to the 2025/2026 academic year. Unlike traditional methods, applicants will now experience a seamless and entirely online process, eliminating the need to physically submit application packets at the Embassy or American Spaces.

Prospective candidates are urged to submit their applications via the online portal no later than March 1, 2024, by visiting https://apply.iie.org/ffsp2025. Further details about the application process can be accessed on the U.S. Embassy website at www.si.usembassy.gov/fulbright-program.

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program, a prestigious U.S. government-funded scholarship, presents a golden opportunity for young Sierra Leonean professionals to pursue a master’s degree at distinguished American universities. This merit-based and highly competitive fellowship emphasizes the return of successful candidates to Sierra Leone post-studies, contributing significantly to the nation’s development in their respective fields.

Aspiring applicants must adhere to the following eligibility criteria:

• Sierra Leonean citizenship with current residence in Sierra Leone
• Successful completion of a first degree with an outstanding score
• A minimum of five consecutive years of professional experience
• Demonstration of exceptional academic and English language competencies
• Exceedance of Fulbright program minimum scores on TOEFL and GRE tests (tests can be taken post-shortlisting)
• Non-participation in the current DV lottery program or intention to permanently immigrate to the United States

All fields, except medicine and research requiring clinical contact with patients, are eligible. Encouraging diversity, the program invites candidates from trade, economics, good governance, security, environmental, and public administration backgrounds to apply. Upholding the principles of inclusivity, the Fulbright Fellowship welcomes qualified applicants regardless of gender, ethnicity, religious belief, political affiliation, socioeconomic background, disability status, or sexual identity.

With this shift to a fully digital application process, the U.S. Embassy aims to make the Fulbright Fellowship accessible to a broader pool of talented individuals, fostering academic excellence and strengthening ties between Sierra Leone and the United States.