The 2025-2026 application is now closed. The 2026-2027 competition will open in Spring 2025.

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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.

Botswana

Open Study/Research Award

Accepted Degree Levels
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Grant Period
Flexible Start
Grant Length
6-9 Months
Award Type
Open Study/Research
Award Profile

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program in Botswana aims to strengthen educational and cultural relationships between the United States and Botswana. Projects addressing climate change; civic engagement; human-animal conflict; women and youth in politics; cyber-security, cyber bullying, and forensics; renewable energy; public health; aerospace; education management and policy; and law enforcement are especially welcome.

Grant Length
6-9 Months
Grant Period
Flexible Start

Fulbright grants will begin between the summer of 2025 and March 2026, subject to the approval of the U.S. Embassy in Gaborone. (Note: this is good timing for research students to be able to meet local professors and engage undergraduate students as assistants if needed. Most universities start vacations in May, November and March.)

Orientation
Pre-Departure Orientation

As a condition of their grants, all grantees may be required to participate in a Pre-Departure Orientation during the summer of 2025.

Candidate Profile

Candidates must present serious projects in line with U.S. Embassy strategic priorities as follows: public health (cervical cancer, TB, diabetes, obesity, drug abuse, mental health, HIV/AIDS, teaching hospital staffing and operations); security and stability (regional security capacity, anti-poaching, human/wildlife conflict, sustainable and economically-beneficial management of natural resources); heritage preservation; civil society strengthening, particularly with respect to a free and vibrant media or the human rights of key populations; technical and vocational education; regional economic communities (SADC); economic diversification; regional economic integration; and foreign direct investment.

All candidates must be mature and able to carry out independent research projects. Collaboration with local institutions and individuals is encouraged. Grantees are required to report their project progress to the U.S. Embassy on a quarterly basis and to consider themselves part of the ongoing U.S. Mission program.

What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?

Botswana has consistently maintained a democratic government, responsibly managed its natural resources, and invested in its people and infrastructure. The bilateral relationship is strong and grounded in a shared commitment to democracy, good governance, and human rights.

Eligibility
Residency in host country permitted in year prior to grant
Dual citizens of this country are NOT eligible
Degree Level of Applicant
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Foreign Language Proficiency
Not Required

Additional Information: Although English is the official language, Setswana or other local languages may be needed for research conducted in rural areas.

Fulbright Proposal Types
Independent Study/Research:
Yes
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
No
Affiliation
Independent Study/Research:
Letter required for independent study or research at deadline

It is the applicant’s responsibility to secure affiliation with an appropriate institution in Botswana. Candidates must affiliate with local colleges and universities, research institutions, and NGOs, and include affiliation letters with their Fulbright applications. The U.S. Embassy may be able to advise candidates about organizations that match their research interests.

Prospective host institutions include:

Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Affiliation Fees/Tuition not covered in grant benefits

Some academic institutions may charge professional fees for a local professor/advisor working with the grantee.

Grantees planning to audit courses should inquire about fees and similar requirements directly with the institutions before they make financial commitments. They should also verify with their home institutions whether there are any existing collaborations with the prospective hosts before they pay affiliation fees. 

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.

2,600 monthly stipend amount in
$ [US Dollar]
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.

3,550 in
$ [US Dollar]
  • Excess baggage fees
  • Research/Materials allowance
  • Settling in 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.

The websites linked here and here have useful, up-to-date cost of living information.

Dependents
Dependent financial support is available
Fulbright Program Management Contact
FBstudent.AF@iie.org
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
https://bw.usembassy.gov/
Research Clearance

Candidates must obtain research approval from the Ministry of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs or the other relevant Ministry prior to conducting their research. Applications for research clearance normally take several months to process. Since the research clearance process is easier with the support of an affiliate institution, regular communication with the prospective affiliation is strongly recommended four months prior to arrival in Botswana.

For additional information on the research clearance process, contact the Educational Attache, Embassy of the Republic of Botswana, or visit the website linked here for more information and application forms. You may also contact the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs (Research Permits), Private Bag 002, Gaborone, Botswana.

Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Naomi Tshosa: FulbrightBotswana@state.gov
Additional Online Resources
Embassy Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/U.S.EmbassyGaborone