FAMReports Opportunity Desk | August 2026
The Killam Fellowships Program 2027–2028 is now open to exceptional undergraduate students from Canada and the United States seeking an academic exchange experience in the neighbouring country.
The programme provides US$6,000 for one semester or US$12,000 for a full academic year, together with a health benefit plan, orientation and enrichment activities. Fellows may also compete for additional mobility funding.
The current competition opened on 15 August 2026, while the open competition application deadline is 31 January 2027. Students applying through participating universities under the direct exchange route must follow their institution’s earlier internal deadline.
About the Killam Fellowships
The Killam Fellowships are administered by Fulbright Canada, the organisation responsible for Canada United States academic exchange programmes.
The fellowship enables exceptional undergraduate students to spend either one semester or a full academic year studying in the neighbouring country.
Canadian students study in the United States, while American students study in Canada. Applicants can participate through either a direct exchange arrangement with a participating institution or the open competition, also known as the self placed route.
Financial Benefits
Successful Fellows receive:
* US$6,000 for a one semester exchange
* US$12,000 for a full academic year
* A health benefit plan
* Three day Fall Orientation in Ottawa
* Three day Spring Seminar in Washington, D.C.
* Competitive mobility funding of up to US$800 for Canadian students or C$800 for American students, depending on the direction of exchange
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Fellows and alumni may also become eligible for additional opportunities, including the Killam Community Action Initiative, alumni internships, mentoring, networking and the Local Ambassador Program.
Who Can Apply?
Canadian Applicants
Canadian applicants must:
* Be Canadian citizens
* Be enrolled full time as undergraduate students at a degree granting institution in Canada
* Be in good academic standing
* Expect to receive their undergraduate degree in Spring 2028 or later
* Meet their home university’s requirements for international exchange
* Demonstrate a strong academic record
* Be proficient in English or French where appropriate
* Complete the application before the applicable deadline
Students applying through the direct exchange route must also receive nomination from their home university.
American Applicants
American applicants must:
* Be United States citizens
* Be enrolled full time as undergraduate students at an accredited degree granting institution in the United States
* Be in good academic standing
* Expect to receive their undergraduate degree in Spring 2028 or later
* Meet their university’s requirements for international exchange
* Demonstrate a strong academic record
* Have the required language proficiency
* Complete the application before the applicable deadline
Direct exchange applicants must be nominated by their home institution.
Which Academic Fields Are Eligible?
The programme is not restricted to a narrow list of academic disciplines. Undergraduate students from different fields are encouraged to apply.
However, professional degree programmes are normally not eligible. Students pursuing programmes such as medicine, dentistry, law or other professional degrees should confirm their eligibility with Fulbright Canada and their home institution before applying.
Two Ways to Apply
1. Direct Exchange
Students enrolled at participating universities can apply through their institution’s direct exchange process.
Successful applicants remain registered at their home university and normally continue paying tuition and fees to their home institution while studying at the host institution.
Because participating universities establish their own internal deadlines, students should contact their study abroad office, international programmes office or exchange coordinator as early as possible.
2. Open Competition
The open competition allows eligible students to pursue a self placed exchange.
Applicants can apply to eligible degree granting institutions in the host country and are responsible for obtaining admission or acceptance from the institution.
The national deadline for the 2027–2028 open competition is 31 January 2027.
Participating Institutions
Fulbright Canada lists a range of participating universities in both countries.
Examples of participating American institutions include:
* American University
* Arizona State University
* Georgia Institute of Technology
* Ohio University
* University of California, Irvine
* University of Hawaii at Mānoa
* University of Texas at Austin
* University of Virginia
* University of Washington
* Wellesley College
Participating Canadian institutions include:
* Acadia University
* Carleton University
* Dalhousie University
* McGill University
* McMaster University
* Memorial University of Newfoundland
* Queen’s University
* University of Alberta
* University of Calgary
* University of Ottawa
* University of Toronto
* University of Victoria
* Western University
* York University
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Applicants should check the current institutional information because participating institutions, available programmes and exchange spaces can vary.
Importantly, the open competition is broader than the direct exchange partner list, allowing eligible applicants to pursue other degree granting institutions subject to admission and programme requirements.
Required Application Materials
Applicants should be prepared to provide documents including:
* Proof of citizenship
* Curriculum vitae
* Academic transcripts
* Personal statement
* Supplementary application documents
* Proposed course selection forms
* Host university acceptance documentation where applicable
* Two letters of reference
The CV and personal statement must follow the programme’s specified formatting and content requirements.
The personal statement is particularly important because applicants are expected to explain their academic objectives, reasons for selecting the host institution, expected personal and professional development, contribution to the Killam community and interest in strengthening Canada United States understanding.
How Applications Are Evaluated
Applications are assessed by an independent adjudication committee involving faculty representatives from participating universities and senior Fulbright Canada officials.
Evaluation considers:
* The quality and feasibility of the proposed academic programme
* Academic achievement and overall academic record
* The strength of the personal statement
* Letters of reference
* Preparation for cross cultural study
* Alignment between the proposed exchange and academic objectives
Final awards remain subject to factors including host university acceptance, available programme funding, university approval and the applicant’s ability to obtain appropriate immigration documentation.
Important Deadline
Open Competition Deadline: 31 January 2027
Students applying through the direct exchange route should not wait until 31 January 2027. Participating universities establish their own internal deadlines, which may be significantly earlier.
Fulbright Canada confirms that the 2027–28 competition is currently open.
Important Advice for Applicants
Start with your university. Determine whether your institution participates in the direct exchange and identify its internal deadline.
Plan your courses early. Make sure proposed courses can be approved by your home institution and count toward your degree.
Build a strong personal statement. Clearly connect your academic ambitions, selected institution, proposed courses and international exchange objectives.
Choose references carefully. Select people who can provide concrete evidence of your academic ability, leadership, maturity and readiness for an international experience.
Budget beyond the fellowship. The award should not automatically be assumed to cover every expense. Applicants should consider accommodation, food, travel, tuition where applicable, immigration costs, books, local transportation and personal expenses.
Check immigration requirements. Any award remains subject to the student’s ability to obtain the appropriate permission to study in the host country.
Why This Opportunity Matters
The Killam Fellowships offer more than financial assistance. The programme gives undergraduate students an opportunity to experience another country’s academic environment while developing international networks and deeper understanding of North American society and Canada United States relations.
The combination of financial support, academic exchange, cultural programming, mobility opportunities and alumni engagement makes the programme particularly valuable for students seeking international exposure before completing their undergraduate education.
Application Links
Eligible applicants should use the official Fulbright Canada application system and select the appropriate application route.
FAMReports Opportunity Alert
Opportunity: Killam Fellowships 2027–2028
Study Level: Undergraduate
Countries: Canada and United States
Award: US$6,000 per semester or US$12,000 per academic year
Application Status: Open
Open Competition Deadline: 31 January 2027
Direct Exchange Deadline: Varies by home institution
Eligible Nationalities: Canadian and United States citizens
Note: This opportunity is specifically for eligible Canadian and American undergraduate students. It is not an international scholarship open to Ugandan or other African applicants. Prospective applicants should carefully verify nationality and institutional eligibility before investing time in the application.
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