Applications are open for the Killam Fellowships Program 2027–2028, a prestigious undergraduate exchange opportunity that enables outstanding Canadian and American students to study in the neighbouring country for one semester or a complete academic year.
Canadian undergraduate students can use the program to study at a university in the United States, while eligible American students can study at a Canadian institution. Successful applicants receive US$6,000 for one semester or US$12,000 for a full academic year, together with a health benefit plan and access to academic, cultural and professional enrichment activities.
The 2027–2028 competition officially opened on 15 August 2026. The open-competition deadline is 31 January 2027. Students applying through a direct exchange must follow the internal deadline established by their home institution, which may be considerably earlier.
Killam Fellowships 2027–2028 at a Glance
| Program detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Program name | Killam Fellowships Program |
| Administered by | Fulbright Canada |
| Exchange direction | Canada to the United States or the United States to Canada |
| Academic level | Undergraduate |
| Exchange duration | One semester or one full academic year |
| Award for one semester | US$6,000 |
| Award for a full academic year | US$12,000 |
| Additional support | Health benefit plan and enrichment programming |
| Mobility funding | Up to US$800 for Canadian Fellows or CAD$800 for American Fellows |
| Competition opening date | 15 August 2026 |
| Open-competition deadline | 31 January 2027 |
| Direct-exchange deadline | Varies according to each participating home institution |
| Placement period | Fall 2027, Spring 2028 or the full 2027–2028 academic year |
| Eligible nationalities | Canadian and United States citizens |
What Is the Killam Fellowships Program?
The Killam Fellowships Program is a reciprocal undergraduate exchange initiative administered by Fulbright Canada. It gives academically accomplished students from Canada and the United States an opportunity to live and study in the other country.
The program is intended to deepen academic cooperation, intercultural understanding and long-term relationships between Canada and the United States. Students do more than complete courses at a host institution. They also participate in structured orientation, cultural activities, educational travel and cross-border programming.
Participants may complete:
- One academic semester in the host country; or
- A full academic year in the host country.
Canadian recipients attend an institution in the United States, while American recipients attend an institution in Canada.
Two Application Routes
Students may participate through either the direct exchange route or the open competition. Applicants should understand the financial and administrative differences before selecting a route.
1. Direct Exchange Program
Under the direct exchange arrangement, students:
- Remain registered at their home university.
- Pay the regular tuition and other required fees to their home institution.
- Attend the host institution as an exchange student.
- Must be enrolled at a participating Killam partner institution.
- Must select a participating institution in the other country.
- Must obtain nomination from their home university.
- Must meet their university’s internal application deadline.
Participating universities may nominate up to three full-year candidates or six one-semester candidates. Nomination does not automatically guarantee selection because the applications are subsequently reviewed through the program’s independent adjudication process.
This route may be financially preferable where the student’s home tuition is lower than the tuition charged by the proposed host university. Students should nevertheless verify how scholarships, financial aid, residence costs and mandatory institutional fees will be treated during the exchange.
2. Open Competition
The open competition allows eligible students to apply even if their home university is not a Killam direct-exchange partner.
Under this route, students:
- May be enrolled at any eligible degree-granting institution in Canada or the United States.
- Apply independently to an eligible degree-granting host institution in the other country.
- Register at the host institution as a visiting or self-placed student.
- Pay tuition and required fees directly to the host institution.
- Must secure admission or acceptance from the proposed host institution.
- Submit the fellowship application directly by 31 January 2027.
Open-competition applicants should not assume that the fellowship award will cover the complete cost of host tuition, accommodation, travel and living expenses. The US$6,000-per-semester award is substantial support, but applicants must prepare a realistic financial plan based on the actual costs of the selected host university and city.
Detailed guidance for each route is available on the official Canadian application page and American application page.
Financial Benefits
Cash Award
Each selected participant receives:
- US$6,000 for a one-semester exchange; or
- US$12,000 for a full academic-year exchange.
The award is intended to support the costs associated with studying and living in the host country. Applicants should independently calculate whether additional personal, institutional or family funding will be required.
Health Benefit Plan
Fulbright Canada provides Killam Fellows with a health benefit plan during the award period. Students should carefully review the coverage terms after selection and determine whether supplementary insurance is required for conditions, activities or expenses not covered by the program plan.
Mobility Grant
Killam Fellows may apply competitively for an additional mobility grant to undertake educational or cultural travel within the host country.
The maximum mobility funding is:
- Up to US$800 for Canadian students studying in the United States.
- Up to CAD$800 for American students studying in Canada.
The proposed activity should take place away from the student’s host-university location and contribute to a broader understanding of the host country. It does not necessarily have to be directly connected to the student’s academic specialization, but it should have a clear educational or cultural purpose.
Mobility funding is competitive and should not be treated as an automatic component of every award.
Fall Orientation in Ottawa
New Killam Fellows participate in a three-day orientation program in Ottawa, Ontario. The orientation helps students understand their responsibilities, prepare for the exchange experience and develop relationships with other Canadian and American Fellows.
The program also provides an opportunity to learn about Canada–United States relations, cross-border cooperation and the objectives of Fulbright Canada.
Spring Seminar in Washington, D.C.
Killam Fellows also participate in a three-day spring seminar in Washington, D.C. The seminar generally takes place in April and combines academic, cultural and public-policy activities.
Participants may engage with representatives from government, diplomatic, academic and policy institutions while learning about the relationship between Canada and the United States. Fulbright Canada states that it covers reasonable costs associated with the official spring seminar.
Opportunities After the Exchange
Participation can continue to create opportunities after the exchange period. Killam Fellows and alumni may become eligible for initiatives such as:
- Community-action funding for volunteer-led projects.
- Fulbright Canada alumni internship opportunities.
- Alumni mentoring and networking.
- The Local Ambassador Program.
- Community and cultural enrichment activities.
- Continued engagement with the wider Fulbright Canada network.
Availability, funding amounts and application conditions for alumni opportunities may change from one competition cycle to another.
Eligibility Requirements for Canadian Applicants
According to the current eligibility requirements for Canadian students, applicants must:
- Be Canadian citizens.
- Be enrolled full-time as undergraduate students.
- Be in good academic standing at a degree-granting institution in Canada.
- Expect to receive their undergraduate degree in spring 2028 or later.
- Meet the international-exchange and academic requirements of their home university.
- Have proficiency in English or French, where appropriate.
- Possess a strong and competitive academic record.
- complete the application process before the applicable deadline.
- Obtain nomination from their home institution when applying through the direct exchange.
Canadian students selected for the program will undertake their exchange in the United States.
Eligibility Requirements for American Applicants
According to the current eligibility requirements for American students, applicants must:
- Be citizens of the United States.
- Be enrolled full-time as undergraduate students.
- Be in good academic standing at a fully accredited, degree-granting college or university in the United States.
- Expect to receive their undergraduate degree in spring 2028 or later.
- Meet the international-exchange requirements of their home institution.
- Have proficiency in English or French, where appropriate.
- Have a superior and competitive academic record.
- Complete all parts of the application before the applicable deadline.
- Obtain nomination from their university when applying through the direct exchange.
American recipients complete their exchange at a Canadian institution.
Academic Fields and Degree Restrictions
The formal eligibility pages do not identify a narrow list of approved academic disciplines. Students from different undergraduate fields may therefore be considered, subject to course availability and host-university approval.
However, Fulbright Canada’s application guidance identifies BA, BSc and BAH students as the standard applicant group and states that professional degrees are normally not eligible. Students enrolled in medicine, dentistry, law or another professional program should obtain confirmation from Fulbright Canada and their home university before preparing an application.
Applicants must also ensure that their proposed host courses:
- Are available during the intended exchange semester.
- Can be approved by their home university.
- Will support progress toward their undergraduate degree.
- Meet any prerequisites imposed by the host institution.
- Are taught in a language in which the applicant can participate effectively.
Participating American Universities
Students applying through the direct exchange should check the current institutional fact sheets because exchange spaces, academic restrictions and course availability may vary.
Participating American institutions listed by Fulbright Canada include:
- American University
- Arizona State University
- Bridgewater State University
- Clemson University
- Florida Polytechnic University
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- Ithaca College
- Miami Dade College
- Ohio University
- Smith College
- State University of New York College at Plattsburgh
- University of California, Irvine
- University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
- University of Maine
- University of South Alabama
- University of Texas at Austin
- University of Virginia
- University of Washington
- Wellesley College
Participating Canadian Universities
Participating Canadian institutions listed by Fulbright Canada include:
- Acadia University
- Brock University
- Carleton University
- Dalhousie University
- McGill University
- McMaster University
- Memorial University of Newfoundland
- Mount Allison University
- Queen’s University
- Saint Mary’s University
- Université de Montréal
- Université Laval
- University of Alberta
- University of Calgary
- University of Ottawa
- University of Prince Edward Island
- University of Toronto
- University of Victoria
- Western University
- York University
The open competition is not limited to this partner list. Eligible open-competition applicants may apply to other degree-granting institutions in the host country, subject to admission, program approval and the competition rules.
Required Application Documents
Applicants should prepare the following materials:
1. Proof of Citizenship
A one-page PDF showing Canadian or United States citizenship is required. A passport is the preferred document.
2. Curriculum Vitae
The CV must:
- Be submitted as a PDF.
- Be no longer than three pages.
- Use 12-point font.
- Use margins of approximately one inch or 2.54 centimetres.
The CV should present the applicant’s academic background, employment, leadership, volunteering, extracurricular involvement, honours, awards and relevant international or community experience.
3. Academic Transcripts
Applicants must submit unofficial transcripts from every post-secondary institution they have attended.
The academic adviser may also be required to calculate the applicant’s cumulative grade-point average on a 4.0 scale.
4. Personal Statement
Applicants must provide a one-page, single-spaced personal statement using 12-point font and one-inch margins.
The statement should explain:
- Why the applicant wants to study in the neighbouring country.
- How the proposed exchange supports their academic goals.
- Why the selected host institution and courses are appropriate.
- How the experience will support personal and professional development.
- What the applicant can contribute to the Killam community.
- How the applicant may promote stronger cross-border understanding.
5. Supplementary Document Package
The supplementary package includes a cover form that must be completed by the student’s adviser.
6. Course Selection Forms
Applicants must prepare course-selection documentation for their proposed host institutions. The relevant forms must be reviewed and signed by an authorized official at the home university.
Direct-exchange applicants generally provide forms for their top three institutional choices. Open-competition applicants should follow the instructions applicable to each proposed institution.
7. Host-University Acceptance Letters
Open-competition applicants should include admission or acceptance letters if they have already received them. The final award remains subject to acceptance by the host institution.
8. Two References
Applicants must enter requests for two references through the application system. Referees should be able to evaluate the applicant’s academic performance, character, leadership potential, maturity and ability to benefit from an international exchange.
How Applications Are Evaluated
Applications are reviewed and ranked by an independent adjudication committee consisting of faculty representatives from participating universities and senior officials from Fulbright Canada.
The assessment considers:
- The quality and feasibility of the proposed academic program.
- The applicant’s personal statement.
- Academic achievement and overall academic record.
- Letters of reference.
- The applicant’s preparation for cross-cultural study.
- Alignment between the exchange plan and the applicant’s academic goals.
The committee produces a list of recommended candidates and alternates. Final awards remain subject to:
- Availability of program funding.
- Acceptance by the proposed host institution.
- Approval from the relevant home university.
- The applicant’s ability to obtain the required immigration documentation.
- Compliance with the current entry and visa requirements of the host country.
Application Deadlines
Open Competition
The application deadline for the 2027–2028 open competition is:
31 January 2027
This deadline applies to eligible Canadian and American applicants using the self-placed or open-competition route.
Direct Exchange
There is no single universal deadline for direct-exchange applicants.
Every participating home institution establishes its own internal competition deadline. These institutional deadlines may occur weeks or months before 31 January 2027.
Students interested in the direct exchange should immediately contact:
- Their study-abroad office.
- International programs office.
- Exchange coordinator.
- Academic adviser.
- The institutional representative responsible for Killam nominations.
Missing the internal university deadline will normally prevent a direct-exchange applicant from being nominated.
Application Links
Canadian students can review the official instructions and begin their application through the Canadian Killam Fellowships application page.
American students can review the official instructions and begin their application through the American Killam Fellowships application page.
Applicants should also consult the main Killam Fellowships Program page for program updates and partner information.
Important Application Advice
- Contact your university first
Determine whether your institution participates in the direct exchange and confirm its internal deadline before beginning the application.
- Compare the financial consequences of both routes
Direct-exchange students pay home-university fees, while open-competition students pay the host institution. This distinction can substantially affect the total cost of participation.
- Obtain course approval early
Do not assume that selected host courses will automatically transfer toward your degree. Seek written academic approval wherever possible.
- Select references strategically
Choose referees who can provide detailed evidence of academic ability, maturity, leadership and readiness for an international experience.
- Develop a specific personal statement
A competitive statement should connect the selected institution, proposed courses, academic objectives and broader interest in Canada–United States relations.
- Prepare for additional expenses
The award should not automatically be treated as complete funding. Budget for tuition, housing, food, visas, immigration documents, flights, local transport, books and personal expenses.
- Review visa and immigration requirements
Awards are conditional upon the student’s ability to obtain the appropriate permission to study in the host country.
- Submit carefully
Complete all application fields in English, upload only the requested documents and review the application before submission. The online system may not allow changes after the final submission.
Conclusion
The Killam Fellowships Program 2027–2028 offers academically strong Canadian and American undergraduate students a valuable opportunity to study in the neighbouring country while receiving significant financial and institutional support.
With an award of US$6,000 per semester or US$12,000 for a full academic year, a health benefit plan, cultural programming in Ottawa and Washington, and access to additional mobility and alumni opportunities, the program provides far more than an ordinary university exchange.
Applicants must select the correct application route, confirm their eligibility, obtain academic approval for their proposed courses and prepare a strong application supported by credible references. Open-competition applications close on 31 January 2027, while direct-exchange candidates must comply with the earlier internal deadline set by their home university.
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