2024-2025 competition is closed. 2025-2026 competition will open in April 2024. 

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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.

Uzbekistan

1 Open Study/Research Award

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

Experience history in the making in the unique cross-cultural land of Uzbekistan! Home of the ancient Silk Road cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, and Tashkent, this warm and hospitable nation provides researchers a unique opportunity to experience a rapidly changing part of Central Asia. 

Over the last century, Uzbekistan was stagnant and isolated due to the constraints of communism and Soviet rule, and a further lengthy period of conservative rule. With the 2016 election of President Mirziyoyev—and his re-election in 2021—a modernizing of the nation is underway. Reform and reconstruction is happening at lightning speed across the country, foreign investment is welcome, and the economy is rapidly growing. The government is regularly seeking advice and assistance from the United States.

As the most populous country in Central Asia, Uzbekistan offers a dynamic experience for Fulbright Student Researchers. The country is opening up for new political relationships, and interest in foreign investment is strengthening the economy. Reform of the education sector in areas such as curriculum development, research, and internationalization creates an enthusiastic environment for work with visiting American counterparts. The government and educational institutions are seeking to become an “English Speaking Nation” and educational institutions are greatly demanding native speakers in their classrooms. Students see new opportunities in their rapidly developing country, and are eager and innovative. Fulbright Student Researchers have the opportunity to provide invaluable assistance to their host institutions, and to help shape the future of a nation.

Additional information about Uzbekistan and the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent can be found on the Embassy's Facebook, Twitter, and website.

Grant Length
10 Months
Grant Period
September Start

The academic year at most of Uzbekistan's universities runs from September to July and is divided into two semesters. The first semester starts in early September and lasts until late January, including a two-week winter break and a winter exams session at the end. The second semester runs from mid-February to mid-June. This semester ends with a few week long summer exams session, followed by an eight-week summer break. 

 

Orientation
Pre-Departure and In-Country Orientation
Candidate Profile

Applications are welcome from articulate and flexible graduates who demonstrate a high level of maturity. Applicants should consider submitting a proposal that includes teaching English language courses and/or other sustained cultural outreach activities in addition to their research/study, as this will create a stronger partnership with their host institution. Candidates from all majors are welcome to apply. Candidates with degrees in English, Education, TEFL/TESOL, business, tourism, and STEM fields are strongly desired. Some previous teaching/tutoring experience is preferred.

In many cases Fulbright grantees may be the only American in their host region, requiring independence and resilience. As a majority Muslim country, Uzbekistan can be significantly more culturally conservative than the United States, with cultural norms different from Western standards and often lacking any representatives of Western cultures.

Eligibility
Dual citizens of this country are NOT eligible
Residency in host country NOT permitted in year prior to grant
Indicate how many months is considered residency:
6 Months
Accepted Degree Levels
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Foreign Language Proficiency
Recommended - Intermediate

Proficiency in Russian or the Uzbek language is recommended and may be required to conduct research. Language proficiency commensurate with the nature of the proposed project is expected prior to commencing the grant. Researchers without adequate language skills should be prepared to pay for a professional translator. Grantees are provided with a stipend to study a local language while in-country. 

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

Applicants may indicate their preference for host institution affiliation in their applications. The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent will seek the most appropriate placement.

Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Affiliation Fees/Tuition offered at discretion of host university/Award

Grantees wishing to be placed at the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan should be aware of a requirement to pay for tuition. The U.S. Embassy in Tashkent recommends an alternate placement at higher education institutions under the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education of Uzbekistan.

Housing Arrangements

Student Researchers may have to stay in a hotel for a few days at the start of their program to review apartment options available for rent on a month-to-month basis in their host city. The host institution and/or Embassy may assist in identifying acceptable options. Students should be prepared to pay a one-time realtor fee and a monthly residential registration fee.

Dependents
Dependent financial support is available
Research Clearance and Visa Information

Clearance from the Republic of Uzbekistan is required for all Fulbright assignments. The U.S. Embassy in Tashkent applies for all necessary clearances. After the affiliation is confirmed by Uzbekistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), the host institution will be able to request a visa. The detailed procedure for obtaining visa and project clearance will be communicated to grantees upon selection.

As the clearance process takes at least a month, interested applicants should contact the Embassy well in advance of the grant start date. Projects regarding subjects that are socially, culturally, or politically sensitive may be denied clearance. Depending on the area of research, some Student Researchers may face challenges obtaining clearance from the government or support from their host institution. Researchers at state libraries, museums, or special archives usually require further clearances from related ministries. Candidates are encouraged to explore these requirements in advance.

Fulbright Program Management Contact
FBstudent.SCA@iie.org
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
https://uz.usembassy.gov/
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Saida Musakhanova: TashkentFulbright@state.gov
Additional Online Resources
U.S. Embassy Tashkent Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/usdos.uzbekistan
The Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education of Uzbekistan: http://www.edu.uz/en