Kazakhstan
1 Open Study/Research Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodSeptember StartGrant Length10 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
The aim of the Study/Research Awards to Kazakhstan is to strengthen educational and cultural relations between the United States and Kazakhstan.
The Study/Research Award gives U.S. student researchers the unique opportunity to carry out research in numerous fields related to the country's historical past or dynamic present day political, economic, or cultural developments. Student researchers may also study unique aspects of Kazakhstan's geography, environment, and other technological specializations.
Kazakhstan is the 9th largest country in the world with rich natural resources, a transitioning economy, and a multiethnic population. Kazakh and Russian are two major languages spoken in Kazakhstan and English is becoming a third official language.
Grant Length
Grant Period
The academic year begins in September and ends in June, with a winter break.
Orientation
Grantees will be required to participate in a mandatory In-Country Orientation in Astana at the end of August or early September, 2025. Grantees should arrive 1-2 days prior to the start of the orientation. The Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy will arrange for airport pickup and make hotel reservations for all grantees.
Candidate Profile
The Fulbright Program is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. Applicants should consider submitting a proposal that includes regular engagement with local universities in their area of subject matter expertise and/or other sustained cultural outreach activities in addition to their research/study. Post will prioritize proposals involving universities located in the regions outside of Astana and Almaty.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Fulbright U.S. Student researchers are committed to their research activities in Kazakhstan. Depending on the nature of their projects, U.S. Fulbright student researchers may be engaged in archival studies in Almaty, Astana and the regions. For student research grantees, language proficiency in Russian and Kazakh is crucial for successful project implementation. Therefore, they take Russian or Kazakh tutorials to improve language skills. Ability to speak a local language, especially Kazakh will open many doors for the grantees as Kazakhs are very appreciative of foreigners speaking Kazakh. Also grantee research requires a lot of travel to multiple regions of Kazakhstan. Student researchers are expected to be goal-oriented, outgoing, and open to communication with people within and outside of their research interests. The Fulbright U.S. Student grantees benefit in Kazakhstan as researchers in their fields of study but equally benefit as cultural ambassadors of the United States and cultural learners in Kazakhstan. They lead numerous topical sessions at the American Spaces around Kazakhstan, interact and learn from different ethnic, socio-economic and regional layers of the Kazakhstani society, attending concerts, museums, art exhibits, and family events.
Eligibility
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
Foreign Language Proficiency
Knowledge of the Russian or Kazakh language is recommended. Language proficiency commensurate with the nature of the proposed project is expected prior to commencing the grant. Applicants without relevant language skills should include in their proposals plans for language study before arriving in Kazakhstan. Soon upon arrival in the cities of their grant assignment, these grantees should start taking intensive Russian or Kazakh language classes. Regardless of language ability, all grantees are given a (reimbursable) allowance to study a local language while in-country as part of their grant benefit.
Fulbright Proposal Types
Yes
No
Affiliation
Letter recommended but not required at deadline
All Fulbright researchers in Kazakhstan must have an affiliation with a local university or educational institution. Applicants are encouraged to arrange affiliations and submit letters of invitation. Otherwise, they must indicate preferences for affiliation. When applicants do not indicate a host institution preference, the Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy will seek the most appropriate placements based on research fields and university availability.
Affiliation Fees/Tuition
No affiliation or tuition fees are required.
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 monthly stipend amount for a single U.S. Student grantee with no dependents is $2,575.
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
- Language training allowance
- Registration/Permitting fees
- Research/Materials allowance
The student research grantees are eligible for one-time allowances.
Base amount of $1,500 is intended to cover baggage fees, in-transit costs, and relocation expenses. Round trip travel is included as a grant benefit and grantee flights are coordinated and pre-approved by the Fulbright program's approved travel agency.
Research allowance: $1,000 (included in 1st grant payment)
In-country orientation allowance: $600 (included in 1st grant payment)
In-country travel allowance: $1,500 (included in 1st grant payment)
Language study: Up to $1,500 in costs allowed, paid as reimbursement.
Additional Grant Benefits
- Diplomatic pouch
- Housing placement
- Mid-year seminar
Student grantees are eligible to use country-bound diplomatic pouch service to send educational, research project-related materials to Kazakhstan.
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
The cost of living in the country depends on many factors including capital vs regional ciy, location within the city, apartment quality and size etc. Oblast cities vs. capital cities in the country have lower living cost rates. Housing costs in Almaty and Astana are highest in the country.
For research student grantees in Almaty the average monthly cost of living is reflected below:
Housing: $1,000
Food and local transportation: $1,200
Utilities: $60
Dependents
Dependents are allowed to accompany grantees. Grantees with accompanying dependents are provided with slightly higher monthly stipend rates depending on the number of dependents.
Single: $2,575
One Dependent: $2,725
Two or More Dependents: $2,825
Housing Arrangements
The Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy will work with grantee host institutions to find suitable lodging options. Upon arrival, grantees will choose their housing arrangement out of the available options. Grantees are also encouraged to make their own housing arrangements whenever possible.
Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Research Clearance and Visa Information
Research clearance is not needed, although some archives and libraries may require official letters from the U.S. Mission (Embassy & Consulate) in Kazakhstan.
The U.S. Mission in Kazakhstan will provide grantees and their dependents with diplomatic notes to apply for Kazakh visas. However, the U.S. Embassy cannot guarantee visa support for dependents in case visa regulations are changed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.