Fulbright Transatlantic Diplomacy Program 2026: Fully Funded US Study Semester for German MPP Students (Deadline: 31 August 2026)
Most Fulbright scholarships are for people who want to go to Germany. This one runs in the opposite direction.
The Fulbright Transatlantic Diplomacy Program (TAD) is a scholarship by Fulbright Germany designed specifically for German citizens enrolled in, or admitted to, the Master of Public Policy (MPP) at the Willy Brandt School of Public Policy at the University of Erfurt. It sends them to top US policy schools for one or two semesters, fully funded, without disrupting or extending their degree timeline.
If you are a German citizen who has been admitted to the Brandt School MPP, this is one of the most valuable add-ons available to you before you even begin the programme.
Deadline: 31 August 2026, for students starting the MPP in October 2026 who would go abroad in Fall 2027.
Who This Is For
This scholarship has one primary eligibility requirement beyond the standard Fulbright criteria: you must be a German citizen who has already been admitted to the MPP at the Willy Brandt School of Public Policy at the University of Erfurt.
You apply before you start the MPP, during the summer prior to your programme start, so that the TAD scholarship integrates with your degree from day one. It is not something you apply for mid-programme.
If you have not yet been admitted to the Brandt School MPP, the first step is to apply there. TAD comes after admission.
What the Scholarship Covers
Funding is provided by Fulbright Germany and scales with the length of your US stay:
- 4 months: USD 13,800 for living costs and applicable fees
- 9 months: USD 31,000 for living costs and applicable fees
- US tuition fees at the partner university: fully covered for TAD participants
- J-1 visa: issued free of charge
- Fulbright health coverage (ASPE) — subject to acceptance by the host university
The US portion runs for 4 to 9 months across one or two academic terms. You also have the option to spend up to two months on an internship in the US as part of your stay, and it may be possible to complete the Brandt School MPP’s mandatory internship requirement in the US, combining study and practical experience in one trip.
Where You Would Study
TAD participants are placed at one of five US partner institutions, all with strong policy and international affairs programmes:
- George Washington University — Elliott School of International Affairs (Washington, DC)
- University of Denver — Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs
- University of Pittsburgh — School of Public and International Affairs
- University of Washington, Seattle — Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies
- University of Washington, Seattle — Evans School of Public Policy and Governance
These are not random placements. Each of these schools is consistently ranked among the top policy and international affairs programmes in the United States. George Washington University’s Elliott School sits in Washington DC, a location that makes internships at federal agencies, think tanks, international organisations, and diplomatic missions directly accessible during your study period.
Fulbright Germany advises getting in touch with them before submitting your application to identify the right partner university and build your study plan. Do this early — the fit between your research interests and each school’s faculty strengths matters for both your application and your experience.
Beyond the Semester Abroad
TAD is not just a study exchange. It comes with:
- Access to the worldwide Fulbright Alumni Network — one of the most valuable professional communities in international affairs globally
- An accompanying programme with leadership development training
- Direct contact with transatlantic organisations and stakeholders
- Long-term network building that starts from the moment you are selected, not after you return
The Fulbright brand itself carries weight. It is one of the most recognised scholarship programmes in the world. Being a Fulbright alumnus is a credential that stays on your CV for your entire career.
Application Timeline
- Deadline: 31 August 2026 (for October 2026 MPP starters going abroad in Fall 2027)
- Notification: Fulbright Germany informs selected candidates around mid-December 2026
Apply through the Fulbright Application Portal: app.mindaclient.com/clientportal/index.php
For questions or to discuss your application before submitting, contact Fulbright Germany via the Brandt School directly.
A Note for Non-German Readers
If you found this post while searching for Fulbright opportunities and you are not a German citizen, this specific programme is not open to you, it is a Fulbright Germany initiative for German nationals studying at a specific German university.
What is open to you are the US-to-your-country Fulbright programmes administered by the US Embassy in your home country. For Nigeria, that is the Fulbright Foreign Student Program run through the US Embassy in Abuja. We covered that fully here: Fulbright Foreign Student Program 2027 — Fully Funded Master’s and PhD in the USA for Nigerians
Related opportunities on the site:
- Chevening Scholarships 2027 — Fully Funded Master’s in the UK for Nigerian and African Applicants
- Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarship 2026 — €992/Month for International Students in Germany
- AFRIKA KOMMT! Fellowship 2026–2028 – Fully Funded Leadership Programme in Germany
- Top 20 Fully Funded Scholarships to Study in the USA, UK, Canada, and Other Top Countries in 2026
- 7 Fully Funded Scholarships For International Students That Do Not Require IELTS or TOEFL in 2026Â
For more information and application:Â
