Kyrgyzstan
1 Open Study/Research Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodSeptember StartGrant Length10 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
As unofficial cultural ambassadors, Fulbright Student Researchers live and conduct their research in cities and villages throughout the Kyrgyz Republic. Through their exchange, these Americans create knowledge and form powerful and enduring people-to-people ties with Kyrgyzstani students, colleagues, and community members.
Grant Length
Grant Period
The academic year begins in September and ends in June, including a winter break. It is preferable to arrive at the end of August to have time to find appropriate accommodation and receive an on-site orientation. Academic institutions are closed during the summer months. If the research includes field studies during the summer, the grantee should plan to begin the grant in January.
Orientation
Candidate Profile
Applications are welcome from university graduates interested in conducting research in any field. Enrollment in graduate school is not required. Willingness of the candidates to contribute to some of the U.S. Embassy’s activities is an asset. Activities may include participation in public outreach, conversation clubs, recruitment for the Foreign Fulbright program, and the like.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Natural, cultural, and culinary wonders await you in the Kyrgyz Republic!
The Kyrgyz Republic, sometimes called the "Switzerland of Asia," boasts unparalleled natural beauty, fresh produce and dairy, and a warm and welcoming culture. With highly-motivated students and enthusiastic faculty, it is an ideal country to spend a year teaching and researching. The country hosts relatively few Americans, making our Fulbrighters instant family among their colleagues and students. Our U.S. participants regularly give lectures and trainings across the country at the American Spaces and other universities and collaborate with their Kyrgyzstani counterparts. They also receive invitations from students and faculty to attend local holiday celebrations and weddings - unforgettable experiences with festive food and dancing.
Kyrgyzstani citizens have worked to build an open and democratic society in the heart of Central Asia. Slightly smaller than South Dakota, the Kyrgyz Republic borders China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The country is known for its unique felt crafts, traditional oral legends, its postcard perfect mountains, the world’s largest natural-growth walnut forest, and endangered species, including the snow leopard and Marco Polo sheep.
In their free-time, our Fulbrighters take advantage of accessible hiking, mountain biking, mountain climbing, skiing, horseback riding, ice skating, camping, bird-watching, and swimming on the pristine Lake Issyk-Kul. Fulbrighters also enjoy attending nomadic sports matches, concerts featuring traditional Kyrgyz instruments, recitations of the epic "Manas" poem, traditional Turkish and Russian spas, and cooking and felting classes. Many take Kyrgyz or Russian lessons as well! From fresh baked naan bread and pastries at the bazaar, to excellent and inexpensive international and national restaurants (Kyrgyz, Georgian, Italian, American, Japanese, Korean, Turkish etc.), the country's culinary offerings cater to every palate. You won't go hungry! Fulbrighters generally rent apartments (both new builds and Soviet-era units) within walking, bus, or biking distance of their host institutions. And, on winter break, our participants have traveled to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to see historic silk road sites.
The U.S. Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic's Public Diplomacy Section supports participants on every step of their Fulbright journey - from detailed pre-departure and in-country orientations, to coordination with host institution counterparts on housing, teaching, and visa issues. We are committed to helping you take full advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Eligibility
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
Foreign Language Proficiency
Kyrgyz or Russian proficiency is recommended, but not required. Grantees are provided with a stipend (via reimbursement) 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
The U.S. Embassy Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) will assist in making institutional assignments based on the best and most appropriate match between the interest and expertise of the grantees and the interest of prospective host institutions. An invitation letter may help facilitate placement at that institution, but is not a guarantee of final placement. PDS will decide on the final affiliation. Local institutions must have the capacity to support the work visa of the applicant.
Affiliation Fees/Tuition
No tuition fee or tuition is 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 for a single grantee without dependents is $2,250.
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
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: $500 (included in 1st grant payment)
In-country travel allowance: $1,000 (included in 1st grant payment)
Language study: Up to $1,500 in costs allowed, paid as reimbursement.
Additional Grant Benefits
- Diplomatic pouch
- Mid-year seminar
Student grantees are eligible to use country-bound diplomatic pouch service to send educational materials to the Kyrgyz Republic.
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
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Bishkek |
Karakol |
Naryn |
Osh |
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Estimated housing (cost per month) |
$500 - $1000 |
$300-$600 |
$250-$500 |
$400-$800 |
|
Food at the cafe/restaurants is good and inexpensive (cost per course including salad and soft drinks) |
$6-$12 |
$5-$10 |
$5-$10 |
$5-$10 |
|
Estimated grocery costs |
$200-$400 per month per person |
$200-$400 per month per person |
$200-$400 per month per person |
$200-$400 per month per person |
Dependents
The monthly stipend for a grantee with one dependent is adjusted to $2,350. For grantees with two or more dependents, the monthly stipend is $2,450.
Housing Arrangements
Housing arrangements will be made with the assistance of host university, with involvement of Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic if necessary. Upon arrival, Student Researchers will stay in a hotel for 3-4 days before moving into an apartment.
Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Research Clearance and Visa Information
Research clearance is not needed, though some archives require official letters from the U.S. Embassy.
Host Universities in the Kyrgyz Republic should be able to provide candidates with a Kyrgyz Work or Student visa; or candidates should be able to receive a five-year visa from the Kyrgyz Embassy in Washington, D.C.