Bulgaria
1 Fulbright Study/Research Award in Archeology/History
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodFlexible StartGrant Length6-10 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
This special grant aims to support research in areas related to both Balkan archaeology and museum and heritage studies. It grew out of the Bulgarian-American Fulbright Commission’s partnership with the Balkan Heritage Foundation (BHF), an NGO whose mission is to support the study, preservation and promotion of cultural and historical (both tangible and intangible) heritage of Southeastern Europe (www.balkanheritage.org).
The award is suitable for individuals whose ongoing research or research interest is related to one of the following topics:
- Inter-relations between Ancient Greek and Thracian civilizations (5th – 2nd c. BCE)
- Roman civilization in the Balkans (2nd c. BCE - 4th c. CE)
- Early Byzantine/Early Christian Balkans (4th - 7th c. CE)
- Architecture and arts of late medieval and post medieval Balkans (12th -17th c. CE)
- Heritage and Museum Studies: National and International Perspectives and Practices
- Underwater Archaeology
- Zooarchaeology
Candidates are strongly encouraged to attend information sessions organized by the Balkan Heritage Foundation online to discuss which field schools and research areas would be most appropriate to this grant.
The grantees can spend up to 10 months in Bulgaria working on individual research. They will be supervised and supported by an English-speaking academic supervisor and will have the opportunity to take part in an archaeological field school. Depending on their field of research they will either start or finish their program with attendance to one of the relevant archaeological field schools by Balkan Heritage Foundation (www.bhfieldschool.org). The BHF field schools combine lectures on Bulgaria’s history and cultural heritage, archaeological excavations, conservation workshops and study trips to important historic and archaeological sites and museums. The field school is to supplement the student’s individual research and provide valuable hands-on experience. The Fulbright program will support the student with access to museums, libraries and specialists in the research field. At the end of the academic year, the student will be expected to produce a publishable paper or conference presentation on the research topic. Knowledge of Bulgarian is not required.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Applications will be considered for grant periods of six to ten months. Grant begins in August/September in accordance with the BHF field school of choice, or later if the grantee chooses to participate in the field school at the end of their grant.
Orientation
Grantees are encouraged to take part in the orientation 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 academic year.
Candidate Profile
Well-qualified candidates holding a Bachelor's degree will be considered, but preference is given to Master’s and Ph.D. candidates. Applicants should have an interest and background in archaeology, anthropology, history, art history, preservation of cultural heritage, museum studies and other directly related fields. Previous experience in Bulgaria and the region is not considered a disadvantage.
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.
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.
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 midterm 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.
Eligibility
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
Special Application Instructions
Please indicate in the project proposal that you are applying for the special archaeology/history award offered jointly with Balkan Heritage Foundation. All candidates in archaeology/history or related fields not interested in collaboration with Balkan Heritage Foundation should apply for the general Fulbright Student Research grant in Bulgaria.
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.
Fulbright Proposal Types
Yes
No
Affiliation
Grantees will be affiliated with the Balkan Heritage Foundation (BHF). List of applicable field schools is available on the BHF website www.bhfieldschool.org. Applicants should indicate their field school preference in their project proposal, but note that schedule and programming changes may occur; the Fulbright Commission and BHF will coordinate final field school choices with the selected grantee.
Affiliation Fees/Tuition
The grant covers tuition and fees associated with participation in one Balkan Heritage Field School except the tuition fee for Underwater Archaeology in the Black Sea field school that is partly covered (minimum 50%; the balance must be covered by the participant).
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
- Research/Materials allowance
- Settling in allowance
Fulbright Bulgaria offers the following benefits:
• A monthly stipend of $1,400
• Round-trip travel allowance of $1,700 (for grantee only)
• A one-time travel/relocation allowance of $1,300 (for grantee only)
• A book/research materials allowance of $500 (for grantee only)
• A Bulgarian language lessons allowance of $500 (for grantee only)
• Tuition fees for attending one Balkan Heritage Field School
• Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE) Health Benefit Plan
Additional Grant Benefits
- Diplomatic pouch
- Mid-year seminar
• Bulgarian Language and Culture online summer course
• Orientation, Midterm, and Wrap-Up Seminars
• Monthly cultural events
• Opportunities for volunteering
• Opportunities for attending international events
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
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/
Dependents
Dependents are allowed to accompany grantees but the Fulbright Commission does not provide dependent support for this grant. Grantees are responsible for covering travel, accommodation and living expenses for their dependent(s).
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