The Fulbright Scholarship Program
Morgan State’s Fulbright History
Morgan State University has a rich history of Fulbright engagement. Dr. Sandye Jean McIntyre, II (Distinguished Professor of Foreign Languages and Honorary Consul of the Republic of Senegal) was appointed MSU’s first Fulbright Program Director in 1951. Dr. McIntyre was joined in his efforts to aid student applicants in 1968, when Dr. Carleen S. Leggett (Past Chairperson of Foreign Languages) became Associate Director. Dr. McIntyre eventually became the longest-serving (55 years) Fulbright adviser in history. Since June 2023, the program has been directed by Dr. Megan DeVirgilis (Associate Professor of Spanish).
Morgan State has received over 100 Fulbright awards—from Student and Scholar Awards to Fulbright-Hays, Fulbright Specialist, and Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence Awards. It is among the top HBCU’s in its number of Fulbright U.S. Student Awards and has been designated a “Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader” each year since the designation was created in 2019.
Fulbright Program Overview
Congress created the Fulbright Program in 1946, under the inspiration and guidance of Senator J. William Fulbright. In the wake of World War II, the aim of the Program was to facilitate mutual understanding and advance knowledges across cultures, in order to avoid future global conflicts. This government-funded program is the world’s largest international education and cultural exchange program, operating in over 140 countries. This prestigious program allows U.S. students the opportunity to conduct research, develop a creative project, pursue graduate study, or teach English abroad, while U.S. scholars and professionals can pursue research and/or teaching opportunities through partner institutions abroad. Likewise, foreign students and scholars can pursue Fulbright awards through their home countries to pursue research, teaching, or study opportunities in the U.S. The Program is open to all disciplines.
Interested in Applying?
Morgan State University offers its graduating seniors, graduate students, and alum a wide range of support services to help them navigate the application process. From deciding on an award type and region to brainstorming essays ideas, drafting final essays, and participating in mock interviews, Morgan’s Fulbright Program can support you each step of the way. Please note that you must be a U.S. Citizen at the time you submit your application, have your Bachelor’s degree in hand at the time of the award start date (approximately one year after you submit your application), and not hold a doctorate at the time of your award start date. This is why graduating seniors, alum, and graduate students working on doctoral dissertation research are encouraged to apply. You can reach out to Dr. DeVirgilis for more information and to set up a meeting.
If you are a current faculty or staff member, Morgan has three Fulbright Scholar Liaisons who can assist you with navigating the application process on our institution’s side: Drs. Megan DeVirgilis, Krishna Bista, and Yacob Astatke. Before applying for any Fulbright Award, carefully review Morgan’s Fulbright Application Policy for Faculty and Staff and be sure to complete Morgan’s Fulbright Application Approval Request at least 30 days prior to your award application’s deadline.
