Mongolia
2 Open Study/Research Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodFall StartGrant Length10 Months |
Award Type
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
Grant Period
Candidates should design projects that begin in August or September of 2026.
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?
Applicants are expected to research their host country. Application materials should indicate a clear commitment to the host country community and a description of how you will engage with it.
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, and/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 the location. Grocery shopping and stocking up on essentials also varies between rural and city locations. However, most provincial centers have a local supermarket chain called Nomin that serves as a primary source of groceries and food items. Those based in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar will have access to local and foreign supermarket chains including Nomin, Orgil, Emart, and Totem (which also carries household items, small electronics, clothes, etc.). Ulaanbaatar also offers many local and international café chains including 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
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 the participant’s grant is contingent upon the ability to secure a placement in Mongolia. Any attempt to omit or falsify information is grounds for immediate revocation/termination of the grant.
Candidates who are recommended for final review may be contacted for a 15-30 minute interview by the embassy, typically via phone or Zoom.
Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) Form
If required, submission of the Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is mandatory, even if you have advanced skills or are a native speaker of the language. Failure to submit the required FLE form may impact your eligibility.
Foreign Language Proficiency Level by Grant Start
If a Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is Required, applicants must have the following proficiency level by the start of the grant period. If a Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is Recommended, applicants are encouraged but not required to have the following level by the start of the grant period.
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
Yes
No
Affiliation
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, without intervention or advocacy by the embassy.
Affiliation Fees/Tuition
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.
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.
- Excess baggage fees
- Research/Materials allowance
- Settling in allowance
- Local transportation allowance
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 February 2025 of some consumer goods from below:
Bus Fare (per ride) - $0.30
Taxi (km) - $0.70
Phone Bill (monthly) - $35.00
Doctor Visit - $20.00
Dentist Visit - $20.00
Optometrist Visit - $20.00
Beef (kg) - $6.40
Mutton (kg) - $4.70
Chicken (kg) - $6.35
Egg - $0.18
Whole Milk (l) - $1.37
Potatoes (kg) - $0.43
Apples (kg) - $2.46
Rice (kg) - $1.58
Bread - $0.73
Coffee (a cup) - $2.23
Dependents
Housing Arrangements
Fulbright open study/research award grantees arrange their housing with the help and recommendation of their host institution. If needed, for recommendations on housing contact the U.S. Embassy in Ulaanbaatar at exchange@usembassy.mn.
Special Considerations
Although Mongolians are welcoming toward 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 events that may involve the expectation to consume alcohol.
Grantees will receive a safety briefing from the embassy’s regional security officer soon after arrival in Ulaanbaatar. Program participants must make mature, informed, 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, especially in Ulaanbaatar, and that the air quality drops significantly during winter and the high pollution levels persist 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 process, but it is the grantee’s responsibility to obtain a visa in time. Grantees should plan to start their visa process well in advance of their program’s start date. Because of 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 leave during July and August. For more information about student visas, please visit Immigration Agency of Mongolia and Mongolian Embassy in the United States.