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 one 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, archeology and the arts. The award is for ten months – with five months spent in each country. Applicants may select which country to visit first, depending on the needs of their project.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Grants will begin September/October and end in June/July, depending on project needs. The award is for ten months – five months in Bulgaria and five months in Romania. Applicants may select which country to visit first, depending on the needs of their project.
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. 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.
Eligibility
Accepted Degree Levels
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
Special Application Instructions
In your Fulbright online application, Award Name please select Bulgarian-Rom Grant 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 Proficiency
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.
Fulbright Proposal Types
Yes
No
Affiliation
Letter recommended but not required at deadline
Applicants are encouraged to arrange affiliation and submit letters of invitation. If an invitation is not available, they may indicate preferences for affiliation in their application. The Fulbright Commissions assist in establishing contacts at prospective host institutions and coordinate final assignments. Affiliation is acceptable with academic and research institutions, NGOs, media, libraries, museums, cultural institutions, and governmental organizations. The Fulbright Commissions in Bulgaria and Romania reserve the right to interview finalists via an online platform or by telephone.
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.
Housing Arrangements
Grantees are responsible for arranging their own accommodation.
Dependents
Grant Benefits
Travel and relocation allowance to cover Commission-approved international travel.
Grant Benefits While in Bulgaria:
- Basic monthly stipend – $1,200 per month
- Research, book and incidentals allowance – $250
- Bulgarian language training allowance – $250
- Health benefit plan for grantees only
*Dependent allowance not available in Bulgaria
Grant Benefits While in Romania:
- Basic monthly stipend – $1,000 per month
- Additional monthly stipend: $1,150 for maintenance and housing*
- Research, book and incidentals allowance – $250
- Dependent Supplements
- Additional monthly stipend of the grantee is increased to $1,375 for one or more accompanying dependents*
- Dependent subsistence allowance: $100 per month for one dependent / $200 per month for two or more dependents who accompany the grantee for at least 80 percent of the grant period (amount included in the basic monthly stipend)
*These amounts are disbursed in RON as specified in the Terms and Conditions of the Award. The USD amounts are subject to slight changes due to currency fluctuations.
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 ICT 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 minority (more than 10%). While Bulgarians are known for their warm hospitality, some communities may hold conservative views and 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 the lowest standard 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.