United Arab Emirates
2 Open Study/Research Award
Accepted Degree Levels
|
Grant PeriodFall StartGrant Length3-10 Months |
Award Type
Specialized Grant Types
- Arts
- Science/Public Health
- Environmental
- Business
- Journalism
Award Profile
The U.S. Fulbright Student Program is now open and accepting applicants for 2025-2026. The goal of the Fulbright Program in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is to ensure students have a deeply enriching and productive experience, academically and culturally, and to promote mutual understanding between the UAE and the United States. The UAE is a country with a rich history, a vibrant cultural scene, and a multi-cultural community. The UAE is supporting cutting edge research and innovation in a variety of fields and serves as a platform for regional economic, security, and cultural engagement.
Clearance from the UAE government is required for all Fulbright U.S. Student grants and must be obtained by the host institution before award issuance. Final awards for 2025-2026 are contingent upon medical clearance, clearance by the UAE Government, and the availability of funds.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Grant dates correspond with the academic year of host institutions in the UAE. Grants will begin on September 1, 2025 with an end date of May 31, 2026. Grants start dates are also subject to the approval of the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi. Exceptions to postpone a grant start date until will be considered, on a case-by-case basis.
Orientation
All grantees are required to attend a Pre-Departure Orientation in the United States during the summer of 2025 as a condition of their grants.
The U.S. Embassy will hold an in-country orientation for Fulbright grantees upon arrival in the UAE. The orientation will also include information about living and studying in the UAE, dependent support, program requirements, and the higher education system in the UAE.
Candidate Profile
Applicants who are graduating seniors, recent graduates, and master’s degree candidates/graduates are eligible will be considered. Ideal applicants should have strong intercultural and leadership skills. Applicants must have a well-defined research project and must have demonstrated ability to work independently, have a solid foundation in their subject areas, have demonstrated high levels of adaptability and maturity, and the ability to serve as a cultural ambassador. Applicants must be able to submit a distinctive research project that is relevant to the UAE and can be reasonably accomplished in a maximum of 10 months. Projects that help enhance the existing bilateral relations between USA and UAE are also preferred. Applicants possessing appropriate language abilities will find their research more effectively accomplished. However, the UAE is a diverse place and English is widely spoken and used.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
The United Arab Emirates is a cosmopolitan country with more than 100 nationalities living it. The expat community is large and diverse, making it easier for new arrivals to settle in. The UAE offers expats an exceptional quality of life. There's modern accommodation, high end medical facilities, excellent Education systems, and a highly developed infrastructure.
The UAE is now considered one of the most progressive countries in the Gulf region. it has become a hub for expats looking to accelerate their Educational and professional careers.
UAE Population and Language:
Although Arabic is the official language of the country, English is widely spoken and understood. Other languages spoken in the UAE include Hindi, Malayan, Urdu, Pashto, Tagalog, and Persian. Nearly 85% of the population lives in the Emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah. The UAE hosted a world expo in Dubai, which concluded on March 31, 2022. Expo Dubai has brought together more than 180 countries from all over the world. Expo, and the UAE in general, have become a widely known tourist destination.
Business and economy:
The UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus. The UAE is also one of the most diversified countries in the Gulf and successful efforts at economic diversification have focused on tourism and trade.
Food:
Given the diversity of the UAE, one can find a wide range of culinary establishments and choices. International fast food and fine dining restaurants are abundant across the UAE.
Housing:
Property rentals change depending on the Emirate, and Abu Dhabi has the highest average rental rates. For example, Al Reem island in Abu Dhabi is very popular and is currently one of the most in-demand areas in Abu Dhabi for properties. Yearly rental rates in Abu Dhabi can range between $15,000 USD for a studio apartment to $27,000 USD for a two-bedroom apartment. Housing prices in Dubai differ based on proximity to the city center.
Schools:
The UAE has numerous K-12 private school options for expats throughout the country. When registering for school, it is important to understand the different grade levels. For example, ‘KG1’ in the UAE is the same as pre-school in the United States. Tuition for KG1 ranges between $5,000 USD and $16,000 USD per year.
Weather:
The UAE has a desert climate with only two main seasons, winter and summer separated by two transitional periods, respectively. The winter season (December to March) has a average temperature ranging from 62°F to 76°F, while the Summer season is very hot and temperatures reach 104°F+.
Eligibility
3 Months
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
Foreign Language Proficiency
Most professional and academic work is conducted in English. Some Arabic proficiency is convenient for daily life but not necessary for study and research, with the exception of Arabic, Shari’a, and certain law courses and research topics.
Fulbright Proposal Types
Yes
No
Affiliation
Letter required for independent study or research at deadline
Fulbright students must seek their own affiliations with UAE public or private universities and research institutions. The U.S. Embassy to the UAE will liaise with UAE universities to confirm affiliation, and provide guidance regarding travel and arrival logistics.
Fulbright grantees may be affiliated with more than one academic institution in the UAE. Placements and affiliations may include the following institutions:
United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain
Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi
Higher College of Technology, multiple locations
Ajman University, Ajman
Zayed University, Dubai or Abu Dhabi
American University in Dubai, Dubai
University of Sharjah, Sharjah
American University of Sharjah, Sharjah
American University of Ras al-Khaima, Ras al-Khaima
Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi
INSEAD, Abu Dhabi
Al Qassimi Foundation, Ras Al Khaimah
Fujairah Fine Arts Academy, Fujairah
Sharjah Performing Arts Academy, Sharjah
Hamdan Bin Mohamed Smart University, Dubai
Mohamed Bin Rashed University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai
Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities, Abu Dhabi
Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, Abu Dhabi
American University in the Emirates, Dubai
New Media Academy, Dubai
Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, Abu Dhabi
Rabdan Academy, Abu Dhabi
It is required that applicants identify appropriate host institutions for their projects and that they include affiliation letters with their Fulbright applications. The U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi will assist in placing grantees at the appropriate academic institutions. An affiliation letter is not a guarantee of research or security clearance, but is essential to obtaining them.
Applicants needing potential contacts should email Jinan Jarrah, Exchange Programs Specialist, at JarrahJ@state.gov.
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.
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.
- Research/Materials allowance
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
$3300 USD - $4000 USD per month
Dependents
Dependents must accompany the grantee for at least 80% of the period abroad to qualify for additional dependents benefits. In some cases, dependents may need to receive additional approvals to join the grantee. A modest financial increase in monthly stipend is offered to grantees with dependents (up to two). If needed, the UAE has numerous K-12 private school options designed for expats throughout the country, but tuition is not included in dependents benefits. Grantees are also responsible for securing the correct type of visa for dependents in collaboration with the host institution.
Housing Arrangements
Host institutions may or may not provide housing. Unless the affiliate University is offering accommodation, the grantee must find nearby and appropriate housing. The grantee and host institution must agree upon fees and rental charges for lodging. In cases where housing is provided at no cost by host institutions, the housing stipend will be deducted from grant funding. Cost of living in the UAE is considered relatively high.
Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Research Clearance
Research clearance is assumed with university acceptance of the grantee.
A government security clearance check is performed as part of the visa process.
Security Information
For travel around UAE, please refer to the most recent State Department Travel Advisory for UAE.