The 2025-2026 application is now closed. The 2026-2027 competition will open in Spring 2025.

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.

Mongolia


2 Open Study/Research Award

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

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program in Mongolia offers up to two Open Study/Research Awards to U.S. graduate or PhD students to conduct a 10-month period of research and/or study in Mongolia. These awards are available in any field/discipline. 

Grant Length
10 Months
Grant Period
Fall Start

Candidates should design projects that begin in August or September of 2025. 

Orientation
Pre-Departure Orientation

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

Candidate Profile

Applicants should be mature, articulate, and motivated individuals who understand the challenges of the harsh climate and daily challenges of living in a developing country. The most successful applicants are flexible, open-minded, independent, and industrious.

What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?

Fulbright researchers in Mongolia live in rental accommodations that they arrange independently or with the assistance of their affiliated institution.  A typical day could look very different depending on the nature and location of the research project.  In general, researchers spend their days at their research location, engaging with their local community, or writing or researching their project.  Researchers should expect to predominantly use either intercity buses or trains to travel between research locations, but other means may be necessary depending on location.  Grocery shopping and stocking up on essentials also varies between rural and city locations.  However, most province centers have a local supermarket chain called Nomin to serve as the primary source or groceries and food items.  Those based in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar will have access to local and foreign supermarket chains such as Nomin, Orgil, Emart, or Totem (which also carries household items, small electronics, clothes, etc).  Ulaanbaatar also offers many local and international café chains such as Caffe Bene, Tom N Toms, Jack’s Coffee, and ROC that can serve as places to grab a cup of coffee or tea and work or hang out.

Eligibility
Residency in host country permitted in year prior to grant
Dual citizens of this country are NOT eligible
Degree Level of Applicant
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Special Application Instructions

To comply with Government of Mongolia regulations regarding assignments in the Mongolian school system, those selected as finalists must disclose any applicable medical conditions listed in the Fulbright Participant Medical History and Medical Examination form provided by IIE. Strict adherence to these regulations is mandatory, and your grant is contingent on the ability to secure a placement in Mongolia. Any attempt to omit or falsify information is grounds for immediate revocation/termination of their grant.

Candidates who are recommended for final review may be contacted for a 15-30 minute interview by the embassy via phone or Zoom.

Foreign Language Proficiency
Recommended - Novice

Applicants without Mongolian language skills should include plans for language study in their Fulbright projects and must study Mongolian concurrent with their research after arriving in Mongolia. A regional or local language may also be needed for certain projects.

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 must identify and contact appropriate host universities in Mongolia for their projects and must include affiliation letters with their Fulbright applications. Research centers and institutes at leading universities frequently offer affiliation to U.S. students in appropriate fields. Applicants are expected to establish the affiliation independently.

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.

1800 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.

4050 in
$ [US Dollar]
  • Excess baggage fees
  • Settling in allowance

Travel and Relocation allowances:
  Round-trip air travel - $3,050
  Relocation - $500
  In-transit - $200
  Excess Baggage - $300

Additional Grant Benefits
  • Mid-year seminar
Estimated Cost of Living

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

Please see average cost as of January 2024 of some consumer goods from below:
Bus Fare (a ride) - $0.15
Taxi (km) - $0.44
Phone Bill (monthly) - $35.00
Doctor Visit - $20.00
Dentist Visit - $20.00
Optometrist Visit - $20.00
Beef (kg) - $5.50
Mutton (kg) - $4.20
Chicken (kg) - $5.85
Egg - $0.17
Whole Milk (l) - $1.30
Potatoes (kg) - $0.47
Apple (kg) - $2.41
Rice (kg) - $1.42
Bread - $0.72
Coffee (a cup) - $2.00

Dependents
Dependent financial support is NOT available
Housing Arrangements

Fulbright open study/research award grantees arrange their housing with the help and recommendation of their host institution. For recommendations on housing, contact the U.S. Embassy in Ulaanbaatar at exchange@usembassy.mn.

Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Special Considerations

Although Mongolians are welcoming towards Americans in general, there have been incidents of crimes against foreigners. Some incidents occur in nightlife areas and when foreign men are believed to be accompanied by Mongolian women. There have also been rising incidents of sexual harassment and assault of foreign women. It should also be noted that Mongolian culture, including professional culture, often centers around heavy drinking events.

Grantees will receive a safety briefing from the embassy’s regional security officer upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar. Program participants must make mature and sensible choices about personal safety. 

Interested candidates who have experienced respiratory conditions, including during childhood, should understand that Mongolia is considered one of the worst countries in the world for air pollution, and the air quality drops significantly during winter and persists for months. Even as smog pollution eases, there are also regular dust clouds and storms. Candidates should consult with their physicians and learn about air pollution levels in Mongolia before committing to apply to this program.

All Fulbright open study/research award grantees MUST obtain a Student Visa (E) prior to entering the country. Grantees should seek the assistance of the host institute in acquiring the necessary documents for the visa application, but it is the grantee’s responsibility to get a visa in time. Grantees should plan to start thier visa process well in advance of their start date. Due to the national holiday Naadam in mid-July, Mongolian organizations and the Mongolian Embassy in Washington, D.C. close for up to five days. In general, Mongolians take extended leaves in the months of July and August. For more information on the student visa, please visit Immigration Agency of Mongolia and Mongolian Embassy in the United States. 

Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Public Affairs Office: exchange@usembassy.mn