US Fulbright Logo

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.

Malaysia

Fulbright-Fogarty Fellowships in Public Health NEW

Accepted Degree Levels
  • Doctoral
Grant Period
Flexible Start
Grant Length
9-10 Months
Award Type
Special Study/Research
Specialized Grant Types
  • Science/Public Health
Award Profile

The Fulbright-Fogarty Fellowships in Public Health are offered through a partnership between the Fulbright Program and the Fogarty International Center of the U.S. National Institutes of Health. These awards were established to promote the expansion of research in public health and clinical research in resource-limited settings.

Grant Length
9-10 Months
Grant Period
Flexible Start

Earliest start on September 1, 2025 and end the latest on June 30, 2026.

Orientation
Pre-Departure and In-Country Orientation

Participation in Commission-led virtual pre-departure orientation activities and attendance at the in-country arrival orientation are mandatory for all grantees. In addition, Fulbright-Fogarty Fellows will be required to participate in a Pre-Departure Orientation with NIH in July.

Candidate Profile

Must be enrolled in an accredited doctoral-level program (MD, PhD, DDS, or comparable degree from an accredited institution) in public health, government, business, design, engineering, education, medicine, nutrition, law, pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and nursing. Eligible doctoral degrees include, but are not limited to: DMD, DC, DO, DVM, OD, DPM, ScD, EngD, DrPH, DNSc, DPT, PharmD, ND, DSW, PsyD, JD and Doctorate of Philosophy in Nursing.

What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?

Two women and a man standing in a wooded area

Emma Crushing, Fulbright U.S. Student Researcher Alum '21-'22  with Dr. Nurzhafarina Othman (left) from University Malaysia Sabah

 

Three elephants walking through low water

Kinabatangan River Wild Elephants located in northeastern Sabah, Malaysia

 

My first week in Kota Kinabalu was full of exploration. Walking around the city streets I was in awe of the incredible smells wafting out of the restaurants, the number of people who smiled and said hello to me, and the breathtaking views of Gaya Island across the water. I finally got to meet my host professor in person, and she introduced me to her colleague, an elephant expert I had heard of back in the States but never thought I would get the chance to meet, let alone work alongside. Both women were incredibly accomplished, yet so humble and easy to talk to, and I immediately felt welcomed and supported. As I quickly jumped into my research work at Lok Kawi Wildlife Park, I realized that friendliness was not an exception but rather the norm. With each new person I met, I was floored by their warm, welcoming personalities, their open curiosity in learning about me, and their seemingly effortless and unprovoked generosity. The director of the wildlife park made sure I had a place to stay and unrestricted access to the park. When her office assistant learned I had taken Grab to reach the park, he immediately offered to drive me back and spent the drive recommending all the best food and activities in KK. The elephant keepers I spent many of my days with helped me in my quest to learn Malay, and we developed a system of exchanging language lessons: they corrected my pronunciations while I explained the California slang that peppers my vocabulary. I thoroughly enjoyed the process of developing relationships with these individuals and so many more who taught me more than I could have ever thought to ask. Through discussions of history, current events, holiday celebrations, and daily life, my conversations compared and contrasted U.S. and Malaysian experiences and traditions, and it was exciting to see the overlap and the uniqueness in each. As I head back to the U.S., I feel that the Fulbright experience has brought me more confidence in my abilities as a scientist, as a communicator, as a traveler, and as a global citizen. All of these heightened abilities will help me during the pursuit of my next degree, throughout my career, and the rest of my life. The Malaysian perspective on community-driven conservation, the remarkable kindness and generosity of the Malaysian people, and the scientific wisdom imparted to me by my hosts will stick with me and influence the way I see the world and the choices I make moving forward. I will cherish the memories I made developing a deeper understanding of Bornean elephants, Malaysian pop culture, conservation strategies, night street food markets, and of the streets and residents of KK. I am hopeful my path will someday lead me back to Malaysia, preferably sooner rather than later.

 

Two women and a man standing in a hospital

(Right to left) Allan Lee Fulbright U.S. Student Researcher Alumni '22-'23 with his hosts from Opthalmology at Hospital Serdang

 

Group of people posing for a picture during Eid

Allan joyfully marking Eid festivities with his Ophthalmology colleagues at Serdang Hospital

 

My Fulbright experience has been both a professional and deeply personal journey that I will cherish for the rest of my life. My time in Malaysia has allowed me to lead and engage in meaningful research which I hope to continue back in the United States, provided me valuable global clinical experience, and has allowed me to explore and integrate myself into a new culture. While conducting research is never without its obstacles and barriers, I am happy to have accomplished and experienced so much. My initial research started at the ophthalmology department at Hospital Serdang, a government hospital right outside of Kuala Lumpur. In Serdang, I was able not only to better understand the medical procedures my research aimed to address, but I was also able to comprehend the Malaysian healthcare system and its differences from the privatized US healthcare system. The discrete divisions between public and private healthcare in Malaysia, on top of my experience working in a public hospital, such as Hospital Serdang, allowed me to target my research to meet the specific needs and preferences of the Malaysian healthcare system and its patients. My research specifically focused on the development of a medical stent for a procedure known as dacryocystorhinostomy, an incredibly specialized procedure that only a few surgeons in Malaysia are able to perform. Because of this, many patients travel many hours, even across oceans, to Serdang to receive life-altering care. Knowing that medical care and medical technology must reflect the unique experiences and customs of its patients, my research has dramatically transformed from a strictly technical project and includes the vast needs of the diverse populations in Malaysia, I found it important for myself to relocate to Kelantan to de-center my research from Malaysia’s urban capital. Undoubtedly, Kelantan presented a different patient population than the ones I witnessed in Hospital Serdang and it presented new perspectives to my research. It quickly became clear to me that even the practice and provision of medicine was changed to reflect the needs of patients. Patient-provider interactions with rural patients who had a very different relationship with modern medicine were drastically different than the ones I saw in Serdang. For one, many rural Malaysians only seek care when experiencing debilitating symptoms, rarely seeking screenings or preventative service and doctors constantly work with patients to make sure patients stay healthy. My technological research reflects the cultural and traditional considerations of Malaysians not only in Kuala Lumpur, but also rural and remote patients. While my current research cannot address all aspects of healthcare accessibility and acceptability in Malaysia, I know that my future endeavors in medicine will explore the ways doctors can administer care and new technologies through community partnerships that are deeply rooted in local customs. Over these 10 months, I fell in love with Malaysia. I stuffed myself with nasi kukus and roti canai, met great friends and advisors in which I hope to work with in the future, and traveled to unforgettable destinations. These experiences have painted a picture of Malaysia, a landscape of care; I have used these diverse experiences in my research and I hope to use these experiences for my future endeavors.

Eligibility
Residency in host country NOT permitted in year prior to grant
Indicate how many months is considered residency:
9 Months
Dual citizens of this country are NOT eligible
Degree Level of Applicant
  • Doctoral
Special Application Instructions

Select "Fulbright-Fogarty" for Award Type in the application. All Fulbright-Fogarty applicants pursuing a placement in Malaysia should select “Public Health” as the Field of Study in the Fulbright application.

Foreign Language Proficiency
Recommended - Novice

Proficiency in Malay is not required. However, applicants proposing to do research requiring extensive contact with local populations and/or the study of Malay language texts must have a competence in Bahasa Malaysia. Projects involving extensive interviewing, especially in rural areas, will require more advanced language skills. 

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

Affiliation Site: Centre of Excellence in Research in AIDS, University of Malaya; US Partner: GHES

Primary Contacts:

Frederick Altice, MD, MA, frederick.altice@yale.edu, U.S. Mentor (Contact for letter of affiliation)

Ryan Borg, ryan.borg@yale.edu, Global Health Equity Scholars Program Manager, Yale University

The University of Malaya (UM) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is known for its quality teaching and research. The Centre of Excellence in Research in AIDS (CERiA), located at UM, conducts epidemiological, clinical, and social science research on HIV and other infectious diseases, with a focus on marginalized communities- particularly people who inject drugs, people who experience incarceration, men who have sex with men, transgender women, and others. Since the establishment of CERiA in 2007, the center has conducted several epidemiological and prevention and treatment research projects involving HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected people who use drugs in various settings including the community, syringe services

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

840 monthly stipend amount in
$ [US Dollar]
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.

The one-time allowances in US Dollars will be disbursed as part of the first grant payment

  • Bench fee of USD 500.00 (Cover the specific cost associated with visa charges, research work, laboratory work, fieldwork, or any expenses related to your project work)
  • Professional allowance of USD 500.00 (Covers the cost of educational and professional materials, photocopying, registration fees, travel to and from professional meetings, and conferences to other Malaysian academic institutions to consult with colleagues.)
  • Relocation allowance of USD 1,000.00
Additional Grant Benefits

Reimbursable Expenses

  • Baggage Allowance USD 600.00
  • Book Allowance USD 200.00
  • Language Allowance USD 500.00

The actual amount spent (up to the maximum allowed) for books, language, and excess baggage expenses will be reimbursed and must be supported by original receipts.

Estimated Cost of Living

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

The cost of living in Malaysia can vary widely depending on lifestyle, location, and personal preferences. 

Here are some of the typical costs associated with living in Malaysia as a student in 2024, converted to USD:

Rent: Off-campus housing costs can range from $84 to $315 per month, depending on location and amenities. 

Food: Eating out at inexpensive restaurants can cost around $2.10 per meal, while a meal at a mid-range restaurant can cost around $6.30. Groceries for home cooking can cost around $63-$84 per month.

Transportation: Public transportation costs vary depending on the distance traveled but typically range from $16.80 - $31.50 per month.

Miscellaneous: This includes entertainment, gym memberships, personal care, books, and supplies, which can range from $42 - $84 per month.

It's recommended to use cost comparison websites for a more detailed and personalized estimate.

Dependents
Dependent financial support is NOT available
Fulbright Program Management Contact
FBstudent.EAP@iie.org
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
http://www.macee.org.my
Centre of Excellence in Research in AIDS, University of Malaya - GHES

U.S. University Consortia: GHES

Summary of Site

The University of Malaya (UM) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is known for its quality teaching and research. The Centre of Excellence in Research in AIDS (CERiA), located at UM, conducts epidemiological, clinical, and social science research on HIV and other infectious diseases, with a focus on marginalized communities - particularly people who inject drugs, people who experience incarceration, men who have sex with men, transgender women, and others. Since the establishment of CERiA in 2007, the center has conducted several epidemiological and prevention and treatment research projects involving HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected people who use drugs in various settings including the community, syringe services programs, compulsory drug detention centers and prisons.

The site was involved in rolling out the first methadone maintenance treatment in the country as an approach to HIV prevention and was the first to do criminal justice/prison research to examine alternatives to health and rehabilitation by comparing community models of care to compulsory drug detention centers. It has supported trials of both behavioral interventions and medication-assisted therapies for criminal justice populations transitioning from prison to the community as well as studies of tuberculosis (TB) in community and criminal justice settings.

CERiA has ongoing relationships with different departments and schools within the university, relationships with the Malaysian government including the Prisons Department, the Ministry of Health, the Anti-Drug Agency, the Pink Triangle Foundation, and the Malaysian AIDS Council, the country’s largest AIDS Service NGO that oversee the provision of HIV prevention and treatment.

Primary Contacts

  • Frederick Altice, MD, MA, frederick.altice@yale.edu, U.S. Mentor, Professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases) and of Epidemiology (Microbial Diseases), Yale University; Academic Icon Professor of Medicine, University of Malaya-Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (Contact for letter of affiliation) 
  • Ryan Borg, ryan.borg@yale.edu, Global Health Equity Scholars Program Manager, Yale University

Areas of Focus

  • HIV including testing and PrEP studies in MSM and TGW
  • Tuberculosis
  • Viral hepatitis prevention and treatment 
  • Criminal justice
  • Addiction treatment 
  • Mental health

Sample Research Projects

  1. Malaysian Implementation Science Training (MIST) Program in HIV
  2. Developing an artificial intelligence-based mHealth intervention to increase HIV testing in Malaysia
  3. Strengthening the HIV care continuum for transgender women living with HIV in Malaysia
  4. Examining risk among female sex workers and transgender women

Language Requirement

None