Egypt
11 Open Study/Research Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodSeptember StartGrant Length9 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is now open and accepting applications for academic year 2025-2026. 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 2025-2026 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
Grant Period
All grants should have an official start date of on/about September 1, 2025, with an end date of on/about May 31, 2026.
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 United States and who will still be enrolled in their graduate degree programs throughout the time of the Fulbright grant. Ideal candidates are serious, research-oriented individuals, who have well thought-out research projects that can be reasonably accomplished in nine months. The proposed research project should be directly linked to the candidate’s graduate research dissertation topic. 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.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
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, its rapidly growing population, and its unique role in the region. It is situated at the northeastern corner of Africa and is bordered by the Mediterranean and Red Seas. Occupying an area of 386,662 square miles, Egypt’s population is approximately 107 million citizens, 95% of which live along the Nile, which occupies only 5% of the country’s territory – making the Nile Valley one of the world’s most densely populated areas. Greater Cairo, a metropolitan area including Cairo and parts of Giza and Qalyubia, is estimated to have been home to over 22.8 million residents, increasing by about half a million inhabitants every year and constituting approximately 25% of the country’s population. (Source: Reuters)
The cultural scene continues to develop with new additions such as the Museum of Egyptian Civilization, which opened in 2021, and the Grand Egyptian Museum that is currently under construction. As a destination, Egypt offers a chance for Americans to participate in diverse cultural opportunities while experiencing day-to-day life in present-day Cairo. American student grantees engage with Egyptian peers and experts at their host institutions, get immersed in the culture, and build connections with Egypt that last throughout their career.
The Egyptian Government launched its 2030 sustainable development strategy in 2016 and updated it in 2018 to address Egypt’s goals for inclusive sustainable development as well as balanced regional development. Egypt’s SDGs tackle three main dimensions: social, economic and environmental. Knowledge, innovation, and scientific research are among the country’s priorities. Education and training, public health, the environment, culture, as well as economic and urban development also come to the forefront. The field of higher education has seen many advancements in recent years. National universities, technological universities, and branch campuses of international universities have been established, and emphasis is being placed on developing further channels for academic exchanges and partnerships as well as attracting international students on Egyptian campuses.
A required in-country orientation is held for Fulbright grantees upon arrival in Egypt. The orientation includes information on health and safety in Egypt, day-to-day living, dependent support, and host institutions and the higher education context.
Eligibility
Degree Level of Applicant
- Master's
- Doctoral
Foreign Language Proficiency
Arabic language proficiency is recommended, but not required. However, feasibility of conducting the project in English must be demonstrated in the project statement.
Fulbright Proposal Types
Yes
No
Affiliation
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
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.
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.
This monthly stipend rate is provided for full-time research students applying to the Open Study/Research Award. The Fulbright/Arabic Language Study Grants at CAASIC carry a different stipend rate, the Arabic Language Study stipend rate, which is based on the nature of the program, its design and activities.
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.
- Excess baggage fees
- Housing allowance (separate from living stipend)
- Language training allowance
- Research/Materials allowance
- Local transportation allowance
International travel and relocation allowance is provided for grantee only and is designed to cover round trip airfare to Egypt and associated costs, including excess baggage fees.
The Commission arranges and provides housing as an additional grant benefit. The cost of housing is covered directly by the Commission.
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: Accommodations (inclusive of a modest amount to partially cover utilities) is arranged by the Commission in Egypt and covered as a separate award benefit.
Food, Drink, and Household Products: Both small and large chain supermarkets are available throughout Cairo. They sell groceries, meat and poultry, and household items of local and several international brands. The prices of local fruits and vegetables range between 50 – 150 EGP per 1kg. Organic produce is also available. The price of local meat and poultry range between 150 – 600 EGP per 1 kg. A carton of bottled water costs around 80 EGP. Eating out is more expensive, with prices ranging from 100 – 1000 EGP per person, depending on the restaurant and choice of cuisine. The current exchange rate is approximately 31 EGP = $1.
Transportation: On-demand taxi service apps such as Uber are readily available in Egypt and are an inexpensive mode of transportation. Payment options include credit card. Mileage costs are liable to change. The average cost for a 15km Uber trip in Cairo is around 150 EGP, depending on traffic.
Dependents
Dependent supplemental allowance is 3,250 EGP/monthly per dependent for a maximum of two qualifying dependents. To qualify for this allowance, dependents must spend, accumulatively, at least 80% of the grant duration in Egypt. Days spent outside Egypt do not count towards the 80%. This allowance is payable only for days spent in country. All travel days outside Egypt during the grant period are deducted from the allowance.
Housing Arrangements
Housing is arranged and provided by the Fulbright Commission as a special award benefit.
Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Special Considerations
Clearance from the Government of Egypt is required for all Fulbright U.S. Student grants and must be obtained in order for a grant to be awarded. 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.
Projects that include clinical studies or require contact with human or animal subjects require special approvals. In addition, the host institution would need to carry out the clinical component on behalf of the grantee.
Security Information
Please consult with the State Department Travel Advisory for Egypt for information on living in and traveling to Egypt.