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Current U.S. Student

United States citizens who are currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs are eligible to apply.If you are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a U.S. college or university, you will apply through that institution, even if you are not currently a resident there. Find the Fulbright Program Adviser on your campus.

U.S. Citizen but not a Student

If you are a U.S. citizen, will hold a bachelor’s degree by the award start date, and do not have a Ph.D. degree, then you are eligible to apply. Non-enrolled applicants should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Candidates with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

The Getting Started page will provide information on eligibility and next steps.

Artist

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program welcomes applications in the creative and performing arts. Arts candidates for the U.S. Student Program should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Artists with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

Creative & Performing Arts projects fall under the Study/Research grant category and are available in all countries where Study/Research grants are offered.

FPA

U.S. Professor/Administrator

If you are a U.S. citizen and a professor or administrator at a U.S. institution and are interested in applying for a Fulbright Scholar Award, you will need to apply through fulbrightscholars.org.

To support your students in applying for a U.S. Student Program award, please connect with the Fulbright Program Adviser at your institution.

Non U.S. Citizens

If you are a non-U.S. citizen interested in applying for a Fulbright Award to the United States, you will need to apply through the Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy in your home country. Find out more information on the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program or Fulbright Foreign Student Program.

Ecuador

6 Open Study/Research Award

Accepted Degree Levels
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Grant Period
Fall Start
Grant Length
8-10 Months
Award Type
Open Study/Research
Award Profile

Ecuador is among the smallest countries in South America; nonetheless, it is a diverse and multicultural country, and one of the five most bio-diverse countries in the world. Different cultures, languages, and realities offer innumerable opportunities for research and study.  

The Fulbright Commission in Ecuador welcomes applications from recent graduates, young professionals, and artists in all fields of study. The grant is to conduct research projects of 8 to 10 months, affiliated with an Ecuadorian host institution (higher education institution, NGO, government offices, think tanks, or research institutes), which can provide support to the applicant. We encourage all applicants to always affiliate with a higher education institution - even as a second or third affiliation - to secure support for the proposed project.

You can learn more about Ecuador here: https://ecuador.travel.

Grant Length
8-10 Months
Grant Period
Fall Start

Grantees should plan to arrive between mid-August and early September 2025. Grantees who will enroll in or audit classes must make sure to arrive on time for the start of the semester.

Orientation
Pre-Departure and In-Country Orientation

In preparation to arrival of grantees the Commission offers:

  • Virtual office hours to answer any questions before departure
  • Mandatory virtual pre-departure orientation
  • Mandatory in person arrival orientation, which usually takes place the last week of September 2025
Candidate Profile

The Academic Committee responsible for selecting U.S. grantees to Ecuador makes a holistic review of the applicants. Successful applicants have well defined projects with clear objectives, methodology, and work plan. It is also important that candidates have good intercultural and communication skills, are adaptable to new environments, are able to respresent the values of the program, and share their culture and the diversity of the United States with their host community.

Some finalists will be invited to a virtual interview.

What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?

Ecuadorians are very welcoming to Americans. Grantees are easily integrated into their communities and enjoy the different customs, foods, and festivals throughout the year. During the weekends, grantees get together to travel and visit new places. Due to its geography, in just one hour you can be in a completely different environment. 

The Ecuadorian economy is dollarized, which makes it one of the more stable economies of the region. The inflation rate is low. The cost of living is a bit higher in cities like Quito and Cuenca. Costs are reduced in provinces of the central and southern highland region and in rural areas.

The climate is pleasant most of the year and we do not get extreme temperatures. In the highland region, temperatures  are about 41° to 75° Farenheit. The Amazon region is humid and the average temperature is 82° Farenheit.

Eligibility
Residency in host country NOT permitted in year prior to grant
Indicate how many months is considered residency:
6 Months
Dual citizens of this country are NOT eligible

Applicants who have received previous U.S. Student grants are not eligible.

Degree Level of Applicant
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Foreign Language Proficiency
Required - Intermediate

Additional Information: Spanish language proficiency is necessary, not only for the development of the proposed project, but also in order to communicate on a daily basis. Advanced level proficiency may be necessary depending on the requirements of the proposed project. Applicants should include plans for language study between the time of application and the commencement of the grant in the Language Self-Evaluation. A Foreign Language Evaluation by a college-level Spanish-language instructor is also required.

For applicants proposing research about indigenous populations, basic-intermediate knowledge of the indigenous languages may be necessary, depending on the scope of the proposed project. 

Fulbright Proposal Types
Independent Study/Research:
Yes
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
Yes
Affiliation
Independent Study/Research:
Letter required for independent study or research at deadline
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
Letter of acceptance required prior to grant start

All independent research candidates must include in their application a letter of affiliation from a university, research institution, non-profit, think tank, or government research institute, by the application deadline.  It is important that candidates identify an institution/organization that will provide guidance and support to their projects. We highly encourage applicants, particularly recent graduates, to have a university as your first or second affiliation.

If your project requires IRB approval, be sure your affiliation will support that process. The grant does not provide extra funds to pay for IRB. Most universities will provide IRB free of charge if you are affiliated with them. Discuss IRB with your affiliations.

Graduate degree candidates must provide a letter of acceptance prior to the grant start.

Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Affiliation Fees/Tuition not covered in grant benefits

Fulbrighters may take coursework at local institutions, but tuition costs are not covered by the Fulbright grant. Some universities have granted tuition waivers on a case-by-case basis with a letter from the Fulbright Commission. Students entering degree programs should make provisions to cover tuition costs for the duration of the program. 

Affiliation fees are not covered by the Fulbright grant, nor entrance fees to national parks or research permits.

Award Benefits
  • A stipend broadly based on the cost of living in the host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to support housing, meals, and incidental costs during the grant period.
  • International travel benefits
  • Accident & sickness health benefits
  • 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
  • 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
Stipend Amount

This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.

$1100 monthly stipend amount in
$ [US Dollar]

The first grant payment will be available upon arrival. Subsequent grant payments will be made in monthly intervals as direct deposits to the bank account of the grantee. Most grantees open a local savings account, which comes with a debit card. The Commission facilitates the opening of a local account. Payments are made the last working day of the month. 

One-Time Allowances

This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.

$1750 in
$ [US Dollar]
  • Excess baggage fees
  • Settling in allowance
  • Local transportation allowance

All grantees will receive the following one-time allowances:

  • Settling in allowance: $500
  • Research allowance: $400
  • Funds for books and materials: $250
  • Local travel: $300

The following allowances are reimbursed after presenting receipts:

  • Excess baggage: up to $200
  • Cultural allowance to attend events related to Ecuadorian culture: up to $100
Additional Grant Benefits
  • Mid-year seminar

The mid-year seminar usually takes place in February and is focused on providing grantees an opportunity to reconnect with fellow Fulbrighters, to share and learn from each other and invited guest speakers, and to participate in cultural activities. 

Estimated Cost of Living

Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.

Ecuador is an inexpensive country; for this reason, many Americans and Canadians have chosen to retire in the country. 

Housing: Apartment rentals can go from $400 to $600 per month. Rent can be significantly reduced if you find a roommate.

Food: Grocery expenses per person can be up to $200, and a good 3-course lunch can go from $3.50 to $8. In good restaurants you can expect to pay $25 to $70 with non-alcoholic beverages.

Utilities and services: These are also inexpensive; gas, water and electricity will not exceed more than $50 per month. Internet service can be as low as $20 per month.

Transportation: Public transportation services (buses, Ecovia, Trolebus and Metro) go between $0.35 to $1.00 per ride. Minimum taxi fare ranges from $1.45 to $2. Uber service is also inexpensive. Most travel to other provinces can be done by land in buses or vans which costs $8 to $25 per person.

Healthcare: costs a fraction of what you would pay in the U.S. and most services are covered by the accident and sickness program provided by the Fulbright grant, as a reimbursement.

You may wish to visit this website to help estimate the cost of living, meals, and incidentals in different cities in Ecuador. 

Dependents
Dependent financial support is NOT available
Housing Arrangements

Grantees find their housing through Airbnb.

The Commission can recommend safer neighborhoods and provide information about previous places where grantees have stayed in Quito. If your project will take place in another province, we encourage you to request help from your affiliate institution.

Fulbright Program Management Contact
FBstudent.WHA@iie.org
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
http://www.fulbright.org.ec
Security Concerns

U.S. Fulbright Students must heed the U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory for Ecuador. Projects or affiliations located in specific provinces or areas of Ecuador in which U.S. citizens are advised to not travel will not be approved. These locations may include the provinces in the northern border and the coast. For the most up-to-date information, please review the Travel Advisory for Ecuador.

 

Fulbright Ecuador Commission Office Hours

The Fulbright Commission in Ecuador is offering special office hours throughout the application season to address questions and updates related to the state of affairs and safety in Ecuador. All general application questions should continue to be directed to IIE at FBStudent@iie.org.

These office hours will be available via Zoom, and applicants must register at the following link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0kceiuqD8uHdT3oyUHXJp1ESDfS0ayoKik

Office Hours dates and times:

  • April 18, 2024 – 2pm-3:30 pm, Quito, Ecuador time, 3pm - 4:30pm EST
  • May 30, 2024 – 2pm-3:30 pm, Quito, Ecuador time, 3pm - 4:30pm EST
  • June 27, 2024 – 2pm-3:30 pm, Quito, Ecuador time, 3pm - 4:30pm EST
  • July 25, 2024 – 2pm-3:30 pm, Quito, Ecuador time, 3pm - 4:30pm EST
  • August 29, 2024 – 2pm-3:30 pm, Quito, Ecuador time, 3pm - 4:30pm EST
  • September 26, 2024 – 2pm-3:30 pm, Quito, Ecuador time, 3pm - 4:30pm EST
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Karen Aguilar, Program Officer: programs@fulbright.org.ec