Croatia
1 Open Study/Research Award
Accepted Degree Levels
|
Grant PeriodFall StartGrant Length9 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
Projects in all disciplines are welcome.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Grants will begin in October.
Orientation
All grantees are required to attend a pre-departure orientation in June or July as a condition of their grant. This virtual event is organized by IIE.
All grantees are required to attend the in-country orientation in Zagreb in the last week of September or beginning of October and should plan their arrival accordingly.
Candidate Profile
Qualified candidates at all degree levels are considered. Ph.D. and master's candidates are preferred. Candidates must be self-motivated and able to work independently with minimal supervision.
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.
Choosing Croatia for your Fulbright grant offers you the chance to work in the European Union's newest member state and enjoy life in a beautiful country with a historically rich culture. Croatia, located in the center of Europe, declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, making it one of Europe's youngest nations. Croatia joined the European Union in July 2013. Zagreb's capital has all the characteristics of a historic and modern central European city. Zagreb is a university center — home to 40 graduate and undergraduate institutions and over 80,000 students. Zagreb University opened in the latter half of the 17th century and is one of the oldest universities in Europe. The cities of Split, Zadar, Osijek, Dubrovnik, Pula, Koprivnica, Varazdin, and Rijeka also have universities.
Fulbright grantees in Croatia select from a variety of programming that includes an in-country orientation program, invitations to Embassy events, and opportunities to participate in educational programs and activities around Croatia. There are five American Corners in public and university libraries in Croatia – in Zagreb, Zadar, Osijek, Vukovar, and Rijeka. The Embassy encourages and facilitates Fulbright grantees' participation in American Corner programs. Croatian alumni of exchange programs and institutions are eligible to compete for small grants through the Embassy's Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs), and Fulbright grantees often work with host institutions and partners to propose follow-on projects.
Croatia is rich in cultural programs, culinary events, and outdoor activities (Official website of the Croatian National Tourist Board | Croatia.hr). Most major cities boast summertime cultural and food festivals and winter advent holiday markets. Zagreb won the award for the best advent market in Europe for many years. The Adriatic Coast is famous for its Mediterranean landscapes and climate. Istria, the peninsula just south of Trieste in Italy, offers many lovely weekend getaways only a 2-3 hour drive from Zagreb. Dalmatia is Croatia's most famous vacation area. Historical relics abound in towns like Zadar, Split, and Dubrovnik. Croatia's city of Dubrovnik in southern Dalmatia is often called the Pearl of the Adriatic and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Northern Dalmatia boasts several gorgeous coastal cities, such as Zadar and Šibenik. A warm current flowing north along the coast keeps the climate mild. The sea temperature is warm enough for swimming until the end of September and beginning again in May.
The academic year runs from October until June, with semesters running from October until January, and March until June. Research grants require language fluency commensurate with the requirements of the proposed project.
Eligibility
3 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.
Croatian language proficiency is not required, though helpful. Some study of Croatian prior to arrival is encouraged in order to promote deeper engagement with the host community. Local language schools and institutes offer courses in Croatian language and culture.
Fulbright Proposal Types
Yes
No
Affiliation
Candidates are responsible for securing their own affiliation at a Croatian university. Please contact FulbrightCroatia@state.gov in case you need assistance. Preliminary contacts and letters of support from host institutions are preferred, but not required, at the time of application. It is not necessary to have secured an affiliation at the time of application; however, grantees must submit evidence of an affiliation at least three months before arriving in Croatia.
Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Most Croatian institutions do not charge affiliation fees and the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth has traditionally provided lab and office resources to Fulbright research students without cost. Please note that it is the responsibility of the candidate to coordinate any fees or waivers with their affiliation.
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.
Additionally, each Fulbright student will receive a monthly stipend from the Croatian Government, payable in local currency but estimated to be approximately $950, to cover housing expenses and contribute to other living expenses.
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
The one-time allowances total includes allowances for round trip international airfare, settling in expenses, research, and language training.
Additional Grant Benefits
- Health insurance (in addition to ASPE)
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
Average housing expenses in Croatia are estimated between 750 and 1000 USD, depending on the type of accommodation (student dorm or privately rented housing) and the city in Croatia. Larger cities like Zagreb or Split, as well as popular tourist destinations, are generally more expensive. Students who plan to study in coastal tourist cities such as Dubrovnik, Zadar or Split should take into special consideration that long term apartment rentals there are often cancelled during tourist months mid May - end of August and the rental prices in these months increase significantly, doubling or even tripling the regular monthly amount. For more information on average prices in Croatia, please visit Numbeo. Please note that Croatia joined Eurozone on January 1, 2023. The official currency of the Republic of Croatia is the Euro. Foreign currency can be exchanged in banks, currency exchange offices, post offices, or at some hotels' reception desks. Major credit cards (Visa, Diners Club, Mastercard/Eurocard) are widely accepted in shops, hotels, and restaurants. ATMs ("bankomats") are also widely available across the country. Banks are generally open Monday to Friday from 8 am to 7 pm and on Saturdays from 8 am to 12 pm, but office hours may vary, especially in smaller towns. Banks are closed on Sundays and national holidays. For a list of licensed banks in Croatia, please consult the database of the Croatian National Bank.
Dependents
Visa Requirements
First Residence Permit: The Croatian government passed a new law for foreigners in accordance to residency and entry laws for European Union member states. The law stipulates that foreign citizens planning to stay in Croatia longer than 90 days must apply for the First Residence Permit (for a period covering their entire stay in Croatia). Certificate confirming that the applicant has no criminal convictions issued by the FBI with an Apostille Stamp at federal level (FBI background check) is one of the requirements for obtaining the Temporary Residence Permit. Fulbright grantees should attain the document with the Apostille seal before coming to Croatia. The criminal background check can be submitted to the Croatian police directorate in English and does not have to be translated to Croatian. For detailed instructions on the procedure and required documents please refer to the Handbook and Next Steps document for Fulbright Grantees in Croatia that will be provided to all grantees as part of pre-departure materials.