To be eligible you must:
- Have achieved 480 points, which must include a completed undergraduate degree. Fulbright New Zealand will also accept applications from candidates who were granted direct entry into the second year of a degree programme, therefore completing a 480-point degree with 360 points. In exceptional circumstances, Fulbright New Zealand may consider the application of a student with a 360-point degree provided they have both:
- the strong support of their tertiary institution (from a Dean or member of senior management); and
- have a conditional offer from a US institution;
- Not yet hold a doctoral degree;
- Plan to undertake full-time postgraduate study or research at a US institution for a period of at least six months; and
- Meet the citizenship requirements for this award.
Preference for Fulbright graduate awards is given to candidates who have not previously received a Fulbright graduate award, or had extensive recent experience in the US (ie. have not studied, taught, researched or worked in the US for a period aggregating more than nine months/one academic year during the past five years).
Candidates may not pursue study or research activities that involve direct clinical patient contact. This can extend to the fields of Medical Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, Psychological Counselling or any other field that requires direct clinical patient contact and/or prescribing or administering medication. Candidates with medical degrees may receive awards for advanced academic study, but not for internships or residencies. Awards shall not authorise activity for which a license to practice medicine or nursing is required.