Bulgaria
1 Fulbright Bulgaria-Romania Joint Research Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodFall StartGrant Length10 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
The joint award with the Bulgarian and Romanian Fulbright Commissions allows students to engage in trans-regional research. Up to 1 award per academic year is open to candidates at all degree levels, but preference is given to Master’s and Ph.D. candidates. Applications will be considered in fields related to Bulgaria and Romania, especially: European studies, East European studies, Balkan studies, Black Sea studies, history, political science, social sciences, classical studies, STEM, archeology and the arts. The award is for 10 months – with 5 months spent in each country. Applicants may select which country to visit first, depending on the needs of their project.
Grant Length
Grant Period
If the grant starts in Bulgaria, grantees are encouraged to take part in the orientation seminar for US grantees beginning Sept. 1, which includes language instruction, as well as cultural and social events. The Commission will organize one-day orientations for grantees arriving later in the fall or in the spring semester.
If the grant starts in Romania, grantees will be required to attend a multi-day in-country orientation at the end of September.
Orientation
If the grant starts in Bulgaria, grantees are encouraged to take part in the orientation seminar for US grantees beginning Sept. 1, which includes language instruction, as well as cultural and social events. The Commission will organize one-day orientations for grantees arriving later in the fall or in the spring semester.
If the grant starts in Romania, grantees will be required to attend a multi-day in-country orientation at the beginning of October.
Candidate Profile
Well-qualified candidates will be considered at all degree levels (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral), but preference is given to Master’s and Ph.D. candidates. Previous experience in the region is not considered a disadvantage. Ability to conduct independent, unstructured research with minimal oversight is crucial. Applications will be considered in fields related to Bulgaria and Romania, especially: European studies, East European studies, Balkan studies, Black Sea studies, political science, history, social sciences, STEM, classical studies, archeology and the arts. Knowledge of regional languages is considered an advantage.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens at the time of application. Permanent residents are not eligible. Dual citizens are accepted.
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.
Bulgaria
The benefits of life in Bulgaria include a breathtaking countryside, a relaxed lifestyle, friendly people, affordable prices, and delicious food. A member of EU and NATO, Bulgaria is generally a stable country, and the local population is proud of the country’s long history and holds education in very high regard, which results in a good number of opportunities for collaboration.
As a Fulbright student in Bulgaria, you can conduct your research with the support of various hosts: institutions of higher education, research think tanks, NGOs and international organizations. During your grant period, the Bulgarian Fulbright Commission will be there to help you settle into your Bulgarian life. We organize an orientation in the beginning of September, a mid-term meeting in January, and a wrap – up seminar in June. If your grant start date doesn’t coincide with those events, Fulbright Bulgaria staff will set up an individual meeting after your arrival to discuss aspects of living and working in the country and to answer any questions you may have. We also strive to provide a cultural/educational program for scholars and students every month; we share information and invitations from partner organizations that may enrich your stay in the country, and we support our students research or community engagement activities in a variety of ways.
Romania
Fulbright grantees in Romania enjoy a rewarding experience that blends academic engagement with cultural immersion. After an initial period of adjustment to local administrative practices and a different pace of everyday life, you will find a welcoming environment that fosters both professional and personal growth. The local academic community is open to collaboration and eager to engage with international researchers, and the Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission will help you settle in and support you throughout your grant period through orientation sessions, group meetings and other events, as well as personalized guidance.
Most Romanians will warmly welcome you into their country and offer you the opportunity to share in its rich and lively intellectual and cultural life. Many grantees discover that venturing beyond their city of affiliation reveals a deeper, more nuanced understanding of life in Romania, while exploring the countryside brings a slower pace of life and a more relaxed lifestyle. In this way, your Fulbright experience becomes not only a period of focused academic work but also a chance to immerse yourself in a setting that values thoughtful exchange, historical richness, and genuine hospitality.
Eligibility
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
Special Application Instructions
In your Fulbright online application, Award Name please select Bulgarian-Romania Joint Research Award from the drop-down menu to be considered for this award. Select Bulgaria for Country 1 and Romania for Country 2 (regardless of which country you intend to visit first).
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.
Bulgarian or Romanian proficiency is not required, but some study of Bulgarian and Romanian prior to arrival is encouraged in order to promote deeper engagement with the host community.
The Bulgarian-American Fulbright Commission offers an online summer course in Bulgarian language and culture, as well as an intensive language course during the September US grantee orientation. The Bulgarian-American Fulbright Commission also provides a one-time allowance of US$250 for Bulgarian language training during the grant period.
The Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission provides an allowance for language training during the grant (please see grant benefits).
Fulbright Proposal Types
Yes
No
Affiliation
Applicants are encouraged to secure affiliation(s) in both countries and to submit letters of invitation/affiliation indicating name/position of host and details on collaborating educational/cultural organization/institution. Projects must be well formulated and achievable under the guidance of an adviser/mentor at an educational, cultural, or government institution.
The Bulgarian Fulbright Commission can assist in establishing contacts at prospective host institutions but it is up to the candidate to secure support from a host institution/organization. Final assignments in Bulgaria will be coordinated and confirmed by the Commission.
The Fulbright Commission in Romania can assist candidates with affiliations but it is up to the candidate to secure a host institution/organization. Placements take place throughout Romania.
The Fulbright Commissions in Bulgaria and Romania reserve the right to interview finalists via an online platform.
Affiliation Fees/Tuition
If courses are available in the relevant field at Bulgarian academic institutions, the Bulgarian-American Fulbright Commission may cover tuition fees up to $750 upon approval by the Commission Board.
Romania: 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.
Bulgaria Stipend - $1,400 per month
Romania Stipend – $2,150 per month (part of the stipend is paid in installments to the U.S. bank account, while the rest is paid monthly in Romanian Lei based on the USD/RON exchange rate)
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
- Research/Materials allowance
- Settling in allowance
Additional Grant Benefits
- Diplomatic pouch
- Mid-year seminar
Grant benefits while in Bulgaria:
- One-way airfare of $1,000 (for grantee only)
- A one-time travel/relocation allowance of $500 (for grantee only)
- A book/research materials allowance of $250 (for grantee only)
- A Bulgarian language lessons allowance of $250 (for grantee only)
*Dependent allowance not available
Grant benefits while in Romania:
- One-way airfare – $ 900 (one-time payment)
- Relocation allowance – $850 (one-time payment)
- Research and book allowance – $250 (one-time payment)
- Community integration allowance – $800 for Romanian language learning & specialized counseling (one-time payment)
- Dependent allowance: $325 per month for one dependent / $425 per month for two or more dependents who accompany the grantee for at least 80 percent of the grant period (disbursed in RON based on the USD/RON exchange rate, as specified in the Terms and Conditions of the Award)
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
Bulgaria
Housing expenses range from 400-900 USD (studio apartment) to 500-1200 USD for 2-3 bedroom apartments per month depending on location. These rates are for furnished apartments and include basic utilities. Quality fresh produce, groceries and other types of food can be found at reasonable prices. Eating out can be fairly inexpensive. Local transportation in major cities is not expensive. For up to date information on the cost of living visit https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/
Romania
Useful and updated information about the cost of living is provided at: Cost of Living in Romania
Dependents
Dependent support is only available for the Romanian portion of the grant; the Bulgarian Fulbright Commission does not offer dependent support for this grant.
Housing Arrangements
Grantees are responsible for arranging their own accommodation.
Bulgaria Country Overview
A mountainous country of seven million people located in the heart of the Balkan Peninsula, Bulgaria boasts a rich archaeological heritage and vibrant artistic culture, including its unique folk music and dance traditions as well as contemporary literary and performance practices. Thanks to its striking natural landscape, rich agricultural roots, and four-season climate, Bulgaria is an increasingly popular destination for outdoor and culinary tourism. Bulgaria also has a strong IT and start-up sector, based primarily in Sofia, and some Bulgarian companies have started receiving international recognition for their innovations.
Bulgaria has a relatively homogenous majority population of Slavic-speakers who traditionally identify as Orthodox Christian; however, the country is also home to Turkish and Roma communities and has a sizeable Muslim population (more than 10%). While Bulgarians are known for their warm hospitality, some communities may not have extensive experience interacting with foreigners. Younger Bulgarians often have solid levels of English-language competence thanks to access to digital and online resources, while older generations, who had limited access to English instruction under communism, may have studied Russian, German or French instead.
Since the fall of communism in 1989, Bulgaria has been a parliamentary democracy, joining the EU in 2007. Although Bulgaria has one of the lowest standards of living in the EU and struggles with challenges such as emigration/brain-drain and rule-of-law issues, the country has nevertheless generally been politically and economically stable. All applicants are urged to consult the most recent State Department Country Report on Human Rights Practices, which offers the most exhaustive and up-to-date description of political, social and cultural trends in Bulgaria.
For a glimpse of Bulgaria, you can watch the following video: https://youtu.be/esT3KbwgjGg