Bosnia & Herzegovina
1 Open Study/Research Award
Accepted Degree Levels
|
Grant PeriodOctober StartGrant Length9 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
This program provides grants to conduct non-degree, full-time research at the graduate level at institutions of higher education in Bosnia and Herzegovina for a maximum of nine months.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Grants will begin on October 5, 2026.
Orientation
All grantees are required to attend a pre-departure orientation in June or July as a condition of their grant. The event is organized by IIE as a virtual or in-person session.
It is recommended that grantees plan to arrive a week prior to the start of the academic year (which starts on October 5, 2026). The Public Diplomacy Section at the U.S. Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina will hold a required virtual Embassy-led country session in August of 2026 and an in-country orientation for grantees (tentatively scheduled for September 29, 2026).
Candidate Profile
Applications are accepted from candidates at all degree levels and in all fields.
Grantees are expected to be extremely adaptable and flexible. Living conditions and the infrastructure in Bosnia and Herzegovina are improving. However, grantees should recognize that the country is still undergoing significant change, and that medical care and other services are not up to U.S. or Western standards.
Candidates should be highly motivated and demonstrate excellence through their academic record, leadership potential, and qualifying educational and professional experience. They are expected to serve as responsible representatives of their home country, to successfully undertake full-time research at the graduate level, and to adjust to life in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Candidates are encouraged to submit a thoughtful, well-written, concise, and compelling application that illustrates their qualifications, leadership, and preparedness for study in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the project's potential impact (both in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in the United States). Research proposals should reflect enduring concerns, demonstrate sound methodology, and avoid politicization of scholarly inquiry. Proposed projects will be evaluated on the merits of their objectives and feasibility.
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.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is a post-war country in transition. Society in Bosnia and Herzegovina is still very much in the midst of healing, reconciliation and reconstruction at all levels – educational, political, social, psychological, economic, etc. There are opportunities to engage with citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the international community in country, and other interlocutors on issues of reconstruction, reconciliation, and recovery. The academic calendar varies from university to university, but in general, the academic year runs from the first week of October through June with semesters running from the first week of October through December and the last week of February through mid-June. U.S. Fulbright Open Study/Research awards are for the academic year.
Eligibility
12 Months
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
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.
Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian proficiency is recommended but not required, depending on the nature of the project. However, applicants should demonstrate that they will have language skills commensurate with the project by the beginning of the grant. If a project can be carried out in English, applicants without these language skills should include plans for language study in their proposals and are encouraged to improve their language skills concurrent with their research after arriving in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Fulbright Proposal Types
Yes
No
Affiliation
Candidates are responsible for securing their own affiliations. Preliminary contacts and letters of support from host institutions are preferred but are not required at the time of application.
U.S. Visiting Student Researcher participants should affiliate with accredited institutions of higher education in Bosnia and Herzegovina and pursue academic research at the graduate level in their fields of study. They may not undertake academic classes or hold on-campus work authorization. Grantees advance their academic work, establish professional contacts in their academic fields, gain international experience and personal enrichment, and help promote mutual understanding between the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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.
- Language training allowance
- Registration/Permitting fees
- Research/Materials allowance
- Settling in allowance
RESEARCH ALLOWANCE $1,500
LANGUAGE ALLOWANCE $500
ENGLISH MATERIAL ALLOWANCE $1000
REGISTRATION FEE $125
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
Apartment Rent: Rental costs in Bosnia and Herzegovina vary significantly based on location. In major cities like Sarajevo or Banja Luka, one-bedroom apartments typically range from $450 to $650 or more per month. Prices in smaller towns tend to be lower. It's important to ensure that a rental agency operates in compliance with local laws and regulations.
Transportation: Public transportation is affordable, with a single bus or tram ticket priced around $1.5. Monthly passes are available for regular commuters. Taxis are also reasonably priced compared to Western Europe.
Groceries: The cost of groceries is generally lower than in many Western European countries. Basic groceries for a single person may range from $400 to $600 per month, depending on eating habits.
Eating Out: Eating out at restaurants and cafes is often quite affordable, with prices varying based on cuisine and location. Generally, they are lower compared to those in Western Europe.
Utilities: Utility costs, including electricity, water, heating, and internet, can vary based on apartment size and usage habits. Monthly utility expenses amount to about $250.
These estimates serve as general guidelines; however, actual prices may fluctuate based on factors such as specific location, lifestyle preferences, and prevailing economic conditions.
Dependents
While dependents are allowed to accompany applicants on the grants, the U.S. Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina does not provide financial support for dependents accompanying the grantees.
Housing Arrangements
Housing arrangements are not provided. Host institutions generally designate a point of contact to assist Fulbright Study/Researchers with logistics, including identifying housing arrangements.