Current U.S. Student

United States citizens who are currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs are eligible to apply.If you are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a U.S. college or university, you will apply through that institution, even if you are not currently a resident there. Find the Fulbright Program Adviser on your campus.

U.S. Citizen but not a Student

If you are a U.S. citizen, will hold a bachelor’s degree by the award start date, and do not have a Ph.D. degree, then you are eligible to apply. Non-enrolled applicants should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Candidates with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

The Getting Started page will provide information on eligibility and next steps.

Artist

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program welcomes applications in the creative and performing arts. Arts candidates for the U.S. Student Program should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Artists with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

Creative & Performing Arts projects fall under the Study/Research grant category and are available in all countries where Study/Research grants are offered.

FPA

U.S. Professor/Administrator

If you are a U.S. citizen and a professor or administrator at a U.S. institution and are interested in applying for a Fulbright Scholar Award, you will need to apply through fulbrightscholars.org.

To support your students in applying for a U.S. Student Program award, please connect with the Fulbright Program Adviser at your institution.

Non U.S. Citizens

If you are a non-U.S. citizen interested in applying for a Fulbright Award to the United States, you will need to apply through the Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy in your home country. Find out more information on the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program or Fulbright Foreign Student Program.

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Bulgaria

1 Fulbright Bulgaria-Romania Joint Research Award

Accepted Degree Levels
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Grant Period
Fall Start
Grant Length
10 Months
Award Type
Open Study/Research
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
10 Months
Grant Period
Fall Start

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
In-Country 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
Dual citizens of this country are eligible
Residency in host country permitted in year prior to grant
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
Not Required

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
Independent Study/Research:
Yes
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
No
Affiliation
Independent Study/Research:
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
Affiliation Fees/Tuition offered at discretion of host university/Award

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
Dependent financial support is NOT available
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.

Fulbright Program Management Contact
FBstudent.EUR@iie.org
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
http://www.fulbright.bg/en/
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Rada Kaneva - Bulgaria: rkaneva@fulbright.bg
Mihai Moroiu - Romania: mihai.moroiu@fulbright.ro
Additional Online Resources
Bulgarian-Romanian Joint Student Research Grant: https://www.fulbright.bg/en/graduate-students-usa/