Thailand
Fulbright-Fogarty Public Health Fellowship Award NEW
Accepted Degree Levels
|
Grant PeriodFall StartGrant Length10 Months |
Award Type
Discipline-Specific Awards
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.
Fulbright-Fogarty Fellowships carry the same benefits as the traditional Fulbright Study/Research grants to the host country. The Fogarty International Center, NIH, will provide support to the research training site and may provide orientation for the fellows at the NIH.
For more details on Fulbright-Fogarty Fellowships and application instructions, please review the ‘Type of Awards’ page: https://us.fulbrightonline.org/applicants/types-of-awards/fulbright-fogarty-fellowships-in-public-health
Grant Length
Grant Period
The grant period is 10 months from the date of arrival in Thailand.
Orientation
Attendance at the in-country arrival orientation is 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.
Health-professional students who wish to interrupt their studies for a year or more to engage in full-time research training before completing their formal training programs are also eligible.
By the start of the program year (July 2026), fellows must be an MD (and other professional degrees) student who has completed their 3rd year or a Ph.D. candidate who has completed their Master’s level requirements (i.e., post-qualifying exam).
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.
Overview: Thailand, known as the "Land of Smiles," is a vibrant country located in Southeast Asia. It is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality. Bangkok, the capital city, is a favorite destination among international travelers and ranks 7th in the list of the most visited tourist cities in 2024, according to the WP Travel (https://wptravel.io/most-visited-cities-in-the-world/).
Cultural and Historical Significance: Thailand has a deep cultural history influenced by Buddhism, which is evident in its numerous temples and festivals. Key historical sites include the ancient cities of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Thai culture emphasizes respect, family values, and a strong sense of community.
Living in Thailand: Living in Thailand provides a unique experience with a blend of urban and rural lifestyles. The cost of living is relatively low compared to the United States, and the local cuisine is world-famous for its flavors and variety. Public transportation is well-developed in major cities, and the country is known for its friendly locals.
Language: While Thai is the official language, English is widely spoken in academic and professional settings. Learning basic Thai phrases can enhance your experience and help you connect with the local community.
Climate: Thailand has a tropical climate with three main seasons: hot, rainy, and cool. The weather varies by region, but generally, the best time in Thailand is during the cool season from November to February.
Education and Research Opportunities: Thailand offers a dynamic environment for education and research, with several prestigious universities and research institutions. Fulbright scholars can engage in diverse fields. Generally, academic years for universities run from August to December (1st semester), January to May (2nd semester), and June to July (Summer).
Conclusion: Thailand offers a rich and rewarding experience for Fulbrighters. Its unique blend of tradition and modernity, coupled with its commitment to education and research, makes it an excellent destination for academic and cultural exchange.
Eligibility
6 Months
American citizens, including those with Thai-U.S. dual citizenship, are eligible to apply. Dual citizens must use their American passports to enter Thailand.
Americans who have spent more than 180 days in Thailand in the year prior to application deadline (e.g., October 8, 2024, to October 7, 2025, for the 2026-2027 program) are not eligible.
After the application deadline, applicants must not be associated with any Thai institutions, including conducting research or teaching in Thailand before they begin their grant. Leisure travels to Thailand are acceptable.
Applicants are expected to be in the U.S. and travel from the U.S. to begin their grant.
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 Thailand should select “Public Health” as the Field of Study in the Fulbright application.
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.
Thai language proficiency may be required, depending in the proposed project. Applicants without Thai language skills should include plans for language study in their Fulbright projects.
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.
Fulbright Proposal Types
Yes
No
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.
Monthly stipend: Baht 25,000 for Bangkok location; Baht 22,500 for provincial locations
Monthly housing allowance: Baht 14,000 for Bangkok location; Baht 8,000 for provincial locations
Monthly research allowance: Baht 4,000
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
- Language training allowance
- Settling in allowance
- Local transportation allowance
In-transit allowance: 4,500 Baht
Settling-in Allowance: 10,000 Baht
Excess baggage allowance: 12,000 Baht
Book allowance: 12,000 Baht
Thai Language Study allowance: 20,000 Baht
Research-related in-country travel allowance: 10,000 Baht
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 Thailand varies based on an individual’s lifestyle. While Fulbright Thailand cannot match the stipend levels provided in the U.S., the stipend we offer ensures that our Fulbrighters can live with all necessities covered.
Dependents
Chiang Mai University - GLOCAL
U.S. University Consortia: GLOCAL
Summary of Site
The Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University (CMU) aims to produce globally impactful research by contributing to the sustainable development goal to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all. CMU offers training and research focusing on a holistic approach to managing patients with chronic conditions such as HIV, hepatitis, substance use, and mental health. In addition, they have developed expertise in health services research to advance patient outcomes, particularly in primary care.
CMU is the third oldest university in Thailand, and the first and largest outside of Bangkok. It is located near the center of Chiang Mai. Its hospital has 1,400 beds providing for over 1,300,000 patients. CMU have strong research, clinical, and governmental collaborations within Thailand and abroad, and is recognized across Southeast Asia (SEA) as a research leader. They have collaborated on several NIH and USG funded studies including numerous HTPN and IMPAACT trials.
In partnership with UCLA (Larkins, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior), in 2016 CMU received SAMHSA/PEPFAR funding to create the SEA HIV-Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) that expanded its research efforts to include clinical capacity-building, system-strengthening, and workforce development within Thailand and across SEA. Engaging a multi-disciplinary network of providers, clinicians, and researchers, the project built the first ECHO site in Northern Thailand and has become a critical healthcare and research partner to its federal and provincial governments, and our broader community. With an active MOU since 2016, CMU has successfully supported faculty and student exchanges for mentored experiences with UCLA, and continues to forge relationships with UCLA and other UC researchers and clinicians working in areas of psychiatric comorbidities (Ventura, Semel/UCLA), integrated primary and mental health care for at-risk populations (Shoptaw, Family Medicine/UCLA), migrant health (Parker, Infectious Diseases/UCI), and syndemic mental health, substance use disorder (SUD) and HIV (Grelotti & Koutsenok, Psychiatry/UCSD).
CMU has infrastructure to support trainees through a dedicated foreign affairs division as well as an abundance of experience in conducting sound research and building structures and systems necessary to translate science into culturally-responsive and clinically applicable approaches to improving health.
Primary Contacts
- Dr. Chaisiri Angkurawaranon, GloCal CMU Site PI, chaisiri.a@cmu.ac.th (contact for letter of affiliation)
- Dr. Craig Cohen, GloCal UCSF PI, craig.cohen@ucsf.edu (additional contact)
Areas of Focus
- HIV
- Hepatitis
- Substance use
- Mental health
Language Requirement
None
Chiang Mai University - NPGH
U.S. University Consortia: NPGH
Summary of Site
Chiang Mai University is a premier university in Thailand and has been a NPGH site for many years. The Research Institute in Health Sciences (RIHES) is a unit within Chiang Mai University that conducts varied research projects including HIV and Infectious Disease research, Virology research, Environmental Health research and other multidisciplinary research.
Primary Contact
- Kriengkrai Srithanaviboonchai MD, MPH, kriengkrai.s@cmu.ac.th, Associate professor, Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Deputy Director, Research Institute for Health Sciences, Chiang Mai University
Areas of Focus
- Environmental Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Chronic Diseases
Language Requirement
None