Luxembourg
1 Open Study/Research Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodFall StartGrant Length9 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
The Fulbright Commission in Brussels offers 1 Open Study/Research Award to Luxembourg per year for students interested in graduate study, independent research, or a combination thereof. Applications are welcome in all academic disciplines.
Grant Length
Grant Period
The standard grant is for a duration of nine months. Grants will follow the academic calendar, beginning in mid-September and concluding in mid-June. Candidates wishing to begin the grant period at another time should explicitly state this in their application.
Orientation
Prior to departure, the Fulbright Commission will organize a virtual pre-departure orientation for Fulbright grantees to Belgium and Luxembourg. Upon arrival in September, grantees will be required to attend an in-country orientation with the Fulbright Commission in Brussels, Belgium, and will be invited to additional orientation events with the staff at the U.S. Embassy to Luxembourg in Luxembourg City.
Candidate Profile
Well-qualified candidates at all graduate degree levels will be considered. Candidates must be mature, self-motivated individuals who are capable of working independently without supervision; preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate a track record of successful independent study.
Projects can be either full-time study, full-time research, or a combination of independent research and participation in a graduate degree program or other advanced courses. Proposals are welcome from candidates in all disciplines. Proposed projects should be innovative yet feasible and should build off the candidate's overall academic education and prior work. Applicants are encouraged to visit the website of the Fulbright Commission to see examples of past successful projects.
For all awards, the Commission seeks applicants who:
- Demonstrate professional and academic excellence;
- Outline a strong rationale and methodology for pursuing their project in Luxembourg;
- Possess qualities of a cultural ambassador and show genuine interest in promoting mutual understanding as a Fulbright grantee; and
- Indicate how they will benefit from and contribute to the Fulbright Program in Luxembourg.
Please be aware that applicants wishing to apply for the Fulbright-Schuman Award to the European Union must follow the guidelines on the EU Award summary page and will not be considered if they apply for an award to Luxembourg.
Eligible applicants
The Fulbright Commission in Brussels is actively looking for candidates for the US Student program with a wide range of backgrounds or projects that they would like to implement in Luxembourg. We are committed to recruiting a cohort of grantees that represents the depth and breadth of American talent in all fields of research. In addition to the traditional academic background, we also encourage applications from professionals, researchers or candidates with significant experience in the field they would like to do research in. Professionals could be policy-makers, policy analysts, researchers at think tanks, non-profit organizations (NGOs), associations, learned societies, foundations, decision-makers at state or federal government offices and individuals in industry or the media with relevant professional experience for their proposed project. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list. Candidates with extensive experience in their proposed field of research (7+ years) should strongly consider applying for the US Scholar Program.
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.
Luxembourg is a small, multilingual and multicultural country with large migrant populations and a network of free public transportation network that spans the Grand Duchy. Fulbright grantees in Luxembourg are enrolled as students at the University of Luxembourg - even if that is not their main affiliation for their project - to grant them access to affordable student housing in the south of the country. Grantees are in touch with the Fulbright Commission in Brussels and with staff at the U.S. Embassy in Luxembourg to facilitate their cultural integration and also invite them to events in both Luxembourg and Belgium. Luxembourg offers a wide array of unique cultural events throughout the year and a unique and international experience packed into a country small enough to feel accessible and friendly.
Eligibility
6 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.
Foreign language proficiency is not required but some basic proficiency is recommended in one of Luxembourg's three national languages (French, German, or Luxembourgish). In order to develop a feasible proposal, candidates may wish to consult with their prospective host institutions about the availability of courses and programs in English, as well as the possibility of conducting research in English.
Upon selection, some study of the local language prior to arrival is encouraged to promote deeper engagement with the host community.
Foreign Language Proficiency Level by Grant Start
If a Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is Required, applicants must have the following proficiency level by the start of the grant period. If a Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is Recommended, applicants are encouraged but not required to have the following level by the start of the grant period.
Fulbright Proposal Types
Yes
Yes
Affiliation
Candidates are responsible for arranging their own host affiliation. While proof is not required at the time of application, preliminary contact with the host institution(s) is encouraged and preference will be given to candidates who include admission or affiliation letters in their application. Preliminary contacts with and letters of support from host institutions are accepted at the time of application.
Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Applicants who will be undertaking a full-time graduate program should be aware that tuition waivers are rarely given and are at the discretion of the educational institution. Applicants are responsible for requesting waivers. In the event a fee waiver is not granted, candidates should be aware that the Fulbright grant does not cover the cost of these fees.
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.
Grantees in this award are expected to receive €1,700/month to cover living expenses. These amounts are subject to change and are only confirmed once successful candidates have signed their Terms of Award with the Fulbright Commission in Brussels.
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.
- Settling in allowance
Grantees in this award are expected to receive a one-time travel stipend currently set at €1,500 to cover the cost of round-trip flights to/from Luxembourg, the costs of applying for the AST (visa) and the residence permit process once in the country, and other miscellaneous requirements linked to the grant.
Additional Grant Benefits
- Mid-year seminar
The Fulbright mid-year meeting usually takes place in Brussels in late January and includes a grantee symposium to present your work (optional), a meeting with the Fulbright Commission and some sort of cultural engagement activity (e.g. a museum visit, a chocolate workshop, etc.) The Fulbright Commission may be able to offer financial support to grantees making the journey to this mandatory event.
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
Cost of living in Luxembourg is, on average, a bit higher than the average cost of living in the United States. You can find a list of average prices here, including the option to compare cost of living to where you are currently located. Compared to most of the United States, these are some major differences:
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Healthcare is usually quite affordable: an appointment with a general practitioner would normally cost around €25 ($27).
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Public transportation in Luxembourg is free throughout the country and for all modes of transport - trams, trains and buses. The only exception is 1st class seats on trains. The scheme applies to residents, cross-border commuters and tourists alike, and more information on other mobility options in Luxembourg can be found here.
- Although rent is much higher in Luxembourg than in most of the U.S., grantees are enrolled as students and have access to student housing at an affordable rate.
Dependents
The Fulbright Commission in Brussels does not provide financial support to grantees bringing dependents, but we do provide additional information for how to bring dependents on the grant. Any dependents wishing to come to Luxembourg for more than 90 days in any 180-day period will be required to apply for a visa as well. This is typically done at the same time as the AST application for the grantee. Because grantees are enrolled as exchange students at the University of Luxembourg to grant access to student housing, this may be a challenge for candidates wishing to move to Luxembourg with dependents, as available housing is limited.
Please keep in mind that childcare may be difficult to come by in Luxembourg, so bringing young children can pose additional challenges. Enrollment in primary or secondary schools is possible in most cases for grantees staying in Luxembourg for longer than 90 days. More resources can be provided on a case by case basis.
Housing Arrangements
Fulbright grantees, regardless of their placement, may be offered the possibility of student housing through the University of Luxembourg. The University of Luxembourg has student housing facilities located at the center and the south of Luxembourg, and university residences are highly recommended by the Fulbright Commission and U.S. Embassy to Luxembourg.
Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Additional Online Resources
Fulbright Grantee Blog Posts: https://www.fulbright.be/stories/
University of Luxembourg: https://www.uni.lu/en/