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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Egypt

8 Open Study/Research Award

Accepted Degree Levels
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Grant Period
September Start
Grant Length
9 Months
Award Type
Open Study/Research
CLEA Availability
  • Yes
Award Profile

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is now open and accepting applications for academic year 2024-2025. The goal of the Fulbright Program in Egypt is to ensure students have a deeply enriching and productive experience, academically and culturally, and to promote mutual understanding between Egypt and the United States. Egypt is a country with a rich history, a beautiful and diverse topography, and a robust and nuanced cultural context. It is known for its bustling capital, rapidly growing population, and unique role in the region. As a destination, it offers a chance for Americans to learn about civilization’s origins and experience the thrill of navigating a complex locale.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program to Egypt provides grant opportunities for American master’s and doctoral degree students in all fields to conduct their graduate dissertation research in Cairo. Fulbright U.S. Students are placed at public or private universities or research institutions in Egypt. The Fulbright Commission in Egypt provides substantive support through the affiliation and pre-arrival process. The Commission will liaise with Egyptian universities on U.S. Students’ behalf to confirm affiliation, assist with the general clearance process, and provide guidance regarding travel and arrival logistics.

Clearance from the Government of Egypt is required for all Fulbright U.S. Student grants and must be obtained for award issuance. The Commission will facilitate this process on the students’ behalf. Final awards for 2024-2025 are contingent upon medical clearance, clearance by the Government of Egypt, the availability of funds, the security situation in country and the operating status of the host institutions and the Fulbright Program in-country.

Grant Length
9 Months
Grant Period
September Start

All grants should have an official start date of on/about September 1, 2024, with an end date of on/about May 31, 2025.

If awarded a Critical Language Enhancement Award (CLEA) in conjunction with the research grant, the CLEA grant period will begin on/about September 1, 2024, and the research grant date will be adjusted by the Fulbright Commission accordingly.

Orientation
Pre-Departure and In-Country Orientation

No in-person Pre-Departure Orientation (PDO). However, the Fulbright Commission in Egypt conducts a Virtual Pre-Departure Orientation (VPDO), and grantees also receive pre-departure material prior to arrival. 

Additionally, an in-country orientation is held at the beginning of the academic year in Egypt. The Fulbright Commission in Egypt is committed to the safety and security of all grantees, so the orientation will include a security briefing. The orientations will also include information about living in Cairo, dependent support, program requirements, and the higher education system in Egypt. All grantees are required to attend these orientations.

Candidate Profile

The program is open to students currently enrolled in master's or doctoral degree programs in the U.S. Ideal candidates are serious, research-oriented individuals, who have well thought-out research projects that can be reasonably accomplished in nine months. Candidates who present research projects showing specific knowledge of Egypt, the Arabic language and/or the region, or Islam, for example, will have a better grasp of research possibilities. Moreover, the program is a good fit for individuals who demonstrate sensitivity to the current geopolitical situation in the MENA region and who are committed to mutual understanding and cultural exchange in line with the spirit of the Fulbright Program. 

Eligibility
Dual citizens of this country are eligible
Residency in host country permitted in year prior to grant
Accepted Degree Levels
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Foreign Language Proficiency
Recommended - Intermediate

Arabic language proficiency is recommended, but not required. However, feasibility of conducting the project in English must be demonstrated in the project statement.

Applicants may also apply for a Critical Language Enhancement Award (CLEA) to improve the feasibility of their proposals. Additional details regarding CLEA and the Egypt-specific CLEA guidelines, can be found in the Critical Language Enhancement Award section.

Critical Language Enhancement Award

The Critical Language Enhancement Award (CLEA) provides an opportunity for Fulbright U.S. Student Program grantees to receive intensive language study in addition to their research grants. The award provides tuition reimbursement for grantees to pursue language training in the host countries. Application for CLEA is made in conjunction with the Fulbright U.S. Student application. However, being awarded a Fulbright U.S. Student grant does not guarantee receipt of CLEA since review of each award is conducted separately and is contingent upon several factors. For additional information and requirements on the award, please see Critical Language Enhancement Award details.

Acceptable Languages: Arabic. Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and/or dialect.

Prior Language Study: A minimum of one year of prior Arabic study is required.

Dates and Timing: Grant duration is a minimum of 3 months and a maximum of 6 months. CLEA awards may start up to 2 months before the Fulbright research grant and then continue 1-4 months concurrently with the Fulbright research grant. Approvals are granted on a case-by-case basis. All grantees must arrive in Egypt on/about September 1, 2024. The start of the CLEA grant must precede the start of the Fulbright grant, i.e. the CLEA grant must begin on/about September 1, 2024 and the Fulbright U.S. Student research grant must begin on/about November 1, 2024. A U.S. Fulbright U.S. Student grant, or a CLEA, may not begin earlier than September 1, 2024.

The study of Arabic language may include formal classroom instruction or tutoring, or a combination of both. Arabic language providers, tutors, and all activities funded by CLEA must have the prior approval of the Binational Fulbright Commission in Egypt. Details regarding eligible language providers and approved tutors will be provided by the Fulbright Commission following award issuance.

Critical Language Enhancement Award Team: 

US Team, The Binational Fulbright Commission in Egypt: usteam@bfce.eun.eg

Fulbright Proposal Types
Independent Study/Research:
Yes
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
No
Affiliation
Independent Study/Research:
No affiliation letter required at deadline

Each grantee must be affiliated with a host institution approved by the Fulbright Commission in Egypt. The Commission arranges host institution affiliations for grantees. Applicants may indicate a preferred host institution in their application. It is not required to submit a letter of invitation from the preferred host institution. However, an invitation letter may be included in the application. Final decision on affiliation is made by the Fulbright Commission.

Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Affiliation Fees/Tuition not covered in grant benefits

Research grants carry a modest provision for Arabic language study. The Commission does not cover any other fees, including supplemental tuition, affiliation, or private instruction fees (other than CLEA, if applicable).

Housing Arrangements

All housing must be approved by the Fulbright Commission in Egypt.

Dependents
Dependent financial support is available

The Commission provides limited dependent support to offset the costs of those accompanying dependents who reside in Egypt for at least 80% of the grant duration. This allowance is payable only for days spent in country. All travel days outside Egypt during the grant period are deducted from this allowance.

Special Considerations

Clearance from the Government of Egypt is required for all Fulbright U.S. Student grants and must be obtained in order for award issuance. The Fulbright Commission will facilitate the approval process on the student’s behalf.

Projects that require access to specialized libraries, national archives or certain public institutions in Egypt may require additional permits that are applied to independently of the GOE project clearance. 

Security Information

Please consult with the State Department Travel Advisory for Egypt for information on living in and traveling to Egypt.

Fulbright Program Management Contact
FBstudent.MENA@iie.org
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
http://www.fulbright-egypt.org
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
US Team: usteam@bfce.eun.eg