Egypt
5 Fulbright/Arabic Language Study Grants at CAASIC
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodSeptember StartGrant Length9 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program and the Center for Advanced Arabic Study in Cairo (CAASIC) are accepting applications to the Fulbright Arabic Language Study Grants at CAASIC for academic year 2026-2027. Applicants applying for this award must have an acceptance letter for the CAASIC Program Fall and Spring 9-month option.
CAASIC is an intensive Arabic language program designed for students from the United States with high levels of Arabic proficiency to attend the American University in Cairo (AUC) to advance their Arabic language fluency. This program offers a rigorous academic and immersive experience in the culture of Egypt and the Middle East.
A complete application to the Fulbright Arabic Language Study Grants at CAASIC must include an acceptance letter from the CAASIC Program at AUC. Please consult the timeline below and the links to the AUC resources for information on the CAASIC Program and how to apply.
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program provides grants to successful candidates who are selected for the CAASIC Program and meet the eligibility and selection requirements of the Fulbright Program. 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 process on the student’s behalf. Final awards for 2026-2027 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 institution and the Fulbright Program in-country.
IMPORTANT: Grantees of the Fulbright Arabic Language Study Grants at CAASIC must abide by all regulations of the Fulbright Commission in Egypt as well as the security guidelines communicated by the U.S. Embassy in Cairo and the Fulbright Commission.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Grant dates must align with the academic calendar of the host institution and the CAASIC 9-month Fall and Spring program.
Timeline:
- CAASIC Program Competition: Currently open
- Fulbright U.S. Student Competition Opens: Monday, March 31, 2025
- CAASIC Program application deadline: August 15, 2025 (Students must specify in their CAASIC application that they are applying for the Fulbright Arabic Language Study Grants at CAASIC for admission into the program for the following academic year, 2026-2027)
- CAASIC Program Acceptance Emails: September 2025
- Fulbright U.S. Student Competition Deadline: Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time
- Fulbright U.S. Student Program Selection for Egypt: July/August 2026
- Grant Start Date: September 2026
- Grant End Date: May 2027
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, program requirements, and the higher education system in Egypt. All grantees are required to attend these orientations.
Grantees must also participate in orientations and activities conducted by the CAASIC Program at AUC.
Candidate Profile
Applicants should be advanced Arabic language learners who have successfully completed their undergraduate studies at the time of application, meet the CAASIC language proficiency requirements, and have been accepted into a structured program of study at CAASIC at the American University in Cairo.
Applicants must provide a well-thought-out career plan and demonstrate knowledge and interest in Egypt, the Arabic language, and/or the MENA region. Moreover, the program is a good fit for individuals who demonstrate sensitivity to the current geopolitical situation in the region and who are committed to mutual understanding and cultural exchange that embody the spirit of the Fulbright 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.
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 110 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 opening in 2025. 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 lasts throughout their career.
The Fulbright Arabic Language Study Grants at CAASIC provide immersive language study and cultural opportunities for advanced students of Arabic. The program is housed at the American University in Cairo’s historic 1919 Downtown Campus in Tahrir Square. This is a centrally located and vibrant part of the city, filled with shops, cafes and restaurants. AUC’s Tahrir Campus offers students a chance to immerse in the bustling Downtown Cairo scene and learn about its rich history and heritage. Within a five-minute walk from the campus is the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, located on the opposite side of Tahrir Square, and the U.S. Embassy in Cairo.
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, host institutions and the higher education context.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Meet the Fulbright U.S. Student Program eligibility requirements
- Provide a letter of acceptance from CAASIC (Fulbright Grant at CAASIC, Fall and Spring 9-months program option) for academic year 2026-2027
For details regarding the eligibility requirements of the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, please visit: http://us.fulbrightonline.org/eligibility
For details regarding the eligibility requirements and the online application for the CAASIC program, please visit: https://www.aucegypt.edu/academics/CAASIC/fulbright-arabic-language-study-grants
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 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
No
Yes
Affiliation
The CAASIC Program accepts applications for the 2026-2027 Fulbright Arabic Language Study Grants at CAASIC until August 15, 2025. Applicants should apply for and obtain an acceptance to the Fulbright Grants at CAASIC, 9-month Fall and Spring Program option. The acceptance letter must be included in the application to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.
For inquiries regarding the application process to CAASIC, please contact:
Dr. Iman Soliman: iaziz@aucegypt.edu
Ms. Azza Hassanein: azzah@aucegypt.edu
Copying: usteam@bfce.eun.eg
Affiliation Fees/Tuition
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.
The Fulbright Arabic Language Study Grants at CAASIC offer a comprehensive package that covers tuition, stipend, shared-housing at CAASIC housing facilities, airfare, Fulbright Program health benefits coverage, and participation in cultural and educational activities during the program. The stipend rate for this award is set at the Arabic Language Study stipend level, which takes into consideration the program 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)
- Local transportation allowance
International travel and relocation allowance is provided and is designed to cover round trip airfare to Egypt and associated costs, including excess baggage fees.
Housing is provided in-kind on a shared accommodation basis at the CAASIC housing facilities.
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: Arranged and provided in-kind on a shared accommodations basis at the CAASIC housing facilities.
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. Organic produce is also available. 1kg of imported bananas costs around $3.5; 1kg of fresh meat costs around $15; a loaf of bread costs around $1.1; and 1.5L of bottled water costs around $0.3. A cappuccino costs around $3.5. The cost of eating out is a little more expensive, with prices ranging from $15-$40 per person depending on the restaurant and choice of cuisine.
Transportation: On-demand taxi apps such as Uber are readily available in Egypt and an inexpensive mode of transportation. Payment options include credit card. The average cost for a 15km Uber trip in Cairo is around $5-$10 depending on traffic.
Dependents
Fulbright Arabic Language Study at CAASIC grantees cannot be accompanied by dependents.
Housing Arrangements
Housing is arranged and provided in-kind on a shared accommodation basis at the CAASIC housing facilities.
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 process on the student’s behalf.
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
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Additional Online Resources
X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/FulbrightEgypt
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fulbright_egypt/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJnsa3U0vJ-n-WPhoXhxy-g
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fulbright-egypt/