2024-2025 competition is closed. 2025-2026 competition will open in April 2024. 

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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.

Brunei

1 Open Study/Research Award

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

During His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei’s visit to the U.S. in December of 2002, President George W. Bush and the Sultan agreed on a commitment for more academic exchanges. Soon after that, in 2003, the Fulbright Scholarship was successfully reactivated in Brunei. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program enables 1-2 U.S. students to conduct a research project at a Bruneian host institution. 

Grant Length
10 Months
Grant Period
August Start

Grantees should begin their 10 month grants in August 2024 or shortly thereafter, to best coincide with the Bruneian educational calendar.

Orientation
Pre-Departure Orientation

All grantees are required to attend a pre-departure orientation in the summer of 2024 as a condition of their grants.

Candidate Profile

While the program is open to all Fields of Study, Brunei presents an exceptional opportunity for students of rainforest ecology and associated disciplines.  More than 70% of Brunei's land areas is covered by primary rainforests, of which 32,000 hectares are protected as forest reserves and 50,000 hectares as national parkland.  Unlike other areas of Borneo, Brunei's rainforests are untouched by logging.  They remain one of the world's richest and most diverse ecosystems and are accessible for researchers. 

Projects related to Environmental Science and Ecology are highly encouraged.

Eligibility
Dual citizens of this country are NOT eligible
Residency in host country NOT permitted in year prior to grant
Indicate how many months is considered residency:
1 Month
Accepted Degree Levels
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Foreign Language Proficiency
Not Required

Additional Information:  English is widely spoken in Brunei and is used throughout the educational system as the language of instruction.  Malay language proficiency may be necessary, depending on the proposed project.

Fulbright Proposal Types
Independent Study/Research:
Yes
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
No
Affiliation
Independent Study/Research:
Letter required for independent study or research at deadline

Applicants will need to identify an appropriate host institution for the proposed project.  

They must include affiliation letters with their Fulbright applications, stating approval of and support for the proposed research. 

If necessary, U.S. Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan will assist in facilitating affiliations for candidates who have been officially awarded grants.

Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Affiliation Fees/Tuition not covered in grant benefits
Dependents
Dependent financial support is NOT available
Special Considerations

Grantees are reminded to observe all security, safety, and health practices appropriate for Southeast Asia, including malaria prevention.  Although Brunei is a wealthy country, candidates should not expect sophisticated equipment or apartments with American standards of comfort.  Housing availability can be limited. Use of libraries can be hampered by short hours, closed stacks, and limited circulation, although the Embassy may be able to help to facilitate after-hours research, when needed.  

Brunei enjoys a tropical equatorial climate with high rainfall and warm temperatures all year round. Generally, it is wettest from September to January, and May to June.  Humidity is high year round, while average temperatures range from 25 degrees to 32 degrees Celsius. 

In May 2014, Brunei introduced the first phase of its Sharia Law Penal Code, which will run in parallel with the existing Civil Law code based upon British Common Law. 

Fulbright Program Management Contact
FBstudent.EAP@iie.org
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
http://bn.usembassy.gov/
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Public Affairs Office: embassybruneipas@state.gov