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Current U.S. Student

United States citizens who are currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs are eligible to apply.If you are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a U.S. college or university, you will apply through that institution, even if you are not currently a resident there. Find the Fulbright Program Adviser on your campus.

U.S. Citizen but not a Student

If you are a U.S. citizen, will hold a bachelor’s degree by the award start date, and do not have a Ph.D. degree, then you are eligible to apply. Non-enrolled applicants should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Candidates with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

The Getting Started page will provide information on eligibility and next steps.

Artist

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program welcomes applications in the creative and performing arts. Arts candidates for the U.S. Student Program should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Artists with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

Creative & Performing Arts projects fall under the Study/Research grant category and are available in all countries where Study/Research grants are offered.

FPA

U.S. Professor/Administrator

If you are a U.S. citizen and a professor or administrator at a U.S. institution and are interested in applying for a Fulbright Scholar Award, you will need to apply through fulbrightscholars.org.

To support your students in applying for a U.S. Student Program award, please connect with the Fulbright Program Adviser at your institution.

Non U.S. Citizens

If you are a non-U.S. citizen interested in applying for a Fulbright Award to the United States, you will need to apply through the Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy in your home country. Find out more information on the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program or Fulbright Foreign Student Program.

Sri Lanka


3 Open Study/Research Award

Accepted Degree Levels
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Grant Period
November Start
Grant Length
9 Months
Award Type
Open Study/Research Award
Award Profile

This is a nine-month grant that offers the recipient an opportunity to independently develop a research proposal in a field of special interest or relevance to the grantee. The grant offers the opportunity for complete immersion in the research and is ideal for self-motivated and disciplined researchers.

The Commission welcomes research proposals in all fields of study (except clinical medical research) from applicants who display a strong commitment to their field of study as well as the promise of developing a long-term interest in Sri Lanka. Those who have not been to Sri Lanka before are encouraged to apply, as are applicants who display a genuine interest in new cultures and the willingness to be flexible and to adapt to a new environment.

Grant Length
9 Months
Grant Period
November Start

Ideally students will start their 9-month grant in November and go through August, but the Fulbright Commission is open to working with students on appropriate timelines. Grantees must secure approval from the Fulbright Commission in Sri Lanka for their travel dates. The grant begins on the day the grantee arrives in Sri Lanka.

Orientation
In-Country Orientation

Fulbright Grantees will have an in-country orientation program in Sri Lanka.

Candidate Profile

Preference will be given to candidates who are enrolled in a doctoral or master's degree program in an American university. Applicants should present evidence of maturity and ability to adapt to conditions different from those in the United States. Fulbright Grantees should be capable of independent research without close supervision. The Commission staff will be available to provide guidance and support, where required.

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.

What is life like for Fulbrighters in your country?

Sri Lanka is a tropical island rich in wildlife, sandy coastlines, forested hills, and cultural heritage. It has a complex history spanning several thousand years, much of which is well-preserved in eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It was ruled by three colonial empires – Portuguese, Dutch, and British - and gained independence in 1948. Opportunities abound for teaching, research, artistic exchanges, professional development, and exploring the bio-diversity of this island. Come for the fascinating culture, tasty food, world-renowned beaches, and fascinating history... but stay because you fall in love with the people! 

Education is given high priority here. Students and their families have a great demand and interest in higher education. Sri Lanka’s educational system is modelled after the British system.  Primary and secondary education is 13 years in total. Both public and private schools meet the demands of mandatory education for all children. Sri Lanka's high literacy rate of 92% far exceeds other countries in South Asia. 

Access to universities is highly competitive because of the limited number of public higher educational institutions. Sri Lanka has undergone some educational reforms and further reforms are being debated. The bi-national United States-Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission aims at contributing to these efforts. Cutting-edge pedagogy, innovative curriculum development, student-centered learning, critical and creative thinking, and exposure to new fields of study and research are all important priorities for the country. 

There have also been challenges to stability and prosperity in Sri Lanka. Three decades of civil conflict, the Easter bombings of 2019, the global pandemic, and economic and political crisis in 2022 have had lasting impacts. However, the resilience of the Sri Lankan people has created hope amidst these challenges. And it is the youth of this country that are most hungry for positive change. All who are fortunate enough to visit will see why Sri Lanka is called "the Pearl of the Indian Ocean."

Eligibility
Residency in host country NOT permitted in year prior to grant
Dual citizens of this country are NOT eligible
Indicate how many months is considered residency:
12 Months
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.

Recommended

Additional Information: 

Knowledge of Sinhala or Tamil commensurate with the nature of the proposed project may be required prior to commencing the grant (but this is not essential). Applicants without local language skills should incorporate plans for language study into their Fulbright proposals. Projects should be designed in a manner appropriate for the language level of the applicant. For instance, if you are conducting interviews in rural Sri Lanka, you may need language skills or hire a translator. But for most Sri Lankans with whom Fulbrighters interact, English is sufficient. 

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.

Novice
Fulbright Proposal Types
Independent Study/Research:
Yes
Letter recommended but not required at deadline
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
No
Affiliation

It is recommended that applicants identify appropriate host institutions for their projects and that they include affiliation letters along with their Fulbright application.

Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Affiliation Fees/Tuition covered in grant benefits

The Commission will secure free affiliations for grantees at universities (where there is an invitation letter provided with the application). However, this may not give grantees access to audit courses or check out books from the library.

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.

$1000-$1150 monthly stipend amount in
$ [US Dollar]

Colombo/Suburbs: $1,150

Outstations: $1,000

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.

Monthly Maintenance Allowances (MMA) / Stipends will be paid in Sri Lankan Rupees based on the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) exchange rate available on the first of each month. Stipend will be prorated if the grant period includes a part of a month. 

 

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
  • Research/Materials allowance
  • Settling in allowance

Total amount of one-time allowances ranges from $950-$1,325 dependent on grant length. 

Allowances will be paid in Sri Lankan Rupees based on the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) exchange rate available on the first of each month. 

Additional Grant Benefits
  • Mid-year seminar

South and Central Asia Regional Fulbright Conference

With funding provided by the United States Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the U.S.-India Educational Foundation (the Fulbright Commission in India) invites eligible Fulbright Students and Scholars in the South and Central Asia region to attend the annual South and Central Asia Regional Fulbright Midyear Conference in India (usually held in February or March). The conference is an opportunity for current Fulbright U.S. Students who are on their Fulbright grants in the SCA region at the time of the conference to gather to discuss each other’s work, educational exchange issues, and invite suggestions for the future development and enhancement of the Fulbright Program. Financial assistance to attend the conference is provided as an additional Fulbright grant benefit.

Please note: The 2026 Fulbright Conference will be dependent on global travel conditions and funding availability. More information will be provided prior to grant departure.

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 Sri Lanka is very affordable. After the 2022 economic crisis, the dollar exchange rate has been favorable. However, the exchange rate fluctuates and the Commission will work with awardees to make sure they are able to afford basic living standards. The grant stipend will be enough to live comfortably in the country.

Dependents
Dependent financial support is NOT available
Housing Arrangements

The Fulbright Commission will not arrange housing for awardees. However, we have access to many networks (including Fulbright alumni) who can assist with housing if requested. 

Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Patrick McNamara, Executive Director: patrick@fulbrightsrilanka.org
Shanaka Premarathna, Program Officer: shanaka@fulbrightsrilanka.org
Soraya Fujadeen, Executive and Program Assistant: soraya@fulbrightsrilanka.org