2024-2025 competition is closed. 2025-2026 competition will open on April 2, 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.

Eswatini


Open Study/Research Award

Accepted Degree Levels
  • Bachelor's
  • 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 Eswatini aims to strengthen educational and cultural relationships between the United States and Eswatini. U.S. Fulbright students in this country will benefit from a rich cultural experience as Eswatini, though small with a population of 1.3 million people, has strong traditional practices.

Eswatini is the world's last absolute monarchy - a fact which presents some unique challenges and opportunities. It is also landlocked by South Africa and Mozambique, and influences from both countries (especially South Africa) will be evident. 

The University of Eswatini (the affiliate for most U.S. Fulbrighters) has three campuses: one in the capital city and two in peri-urban areas with vibrant student communities nearby. Most of the other possible host institutions are also located in the country's urban areas.

The Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy in Mbabane welcomes projects involving fieldwork and research in a variety of subject areas, including: science and technology, environmental studies, economics/economic development, public health (especially HIV/AIDS), human rights, and the arts. 

Grant Length
6-9 Months
Grant Period
Flexible Start

Fulbright grants will begin between August 2024 and March 2025, subject to the approval of the U.S. Embassy in Mbabane.

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 2024.

An in-country orientation will be provided upon arrival for all grantees. This security briefing will be available courtesy of the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy, and is designed to give grantees the security context of the country overall (and the areas in which they will live and work, more specifically.) 

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

Additional Information: Although English is the official language, siSwati 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 recommended but not required at deadline

It is the applicant’s responsibility to secure affiliation with an educational or research institution. It is strongly recommended that candidates identify appropriate host institutions for their projects and that they include affiliation letters with their Fulbright applications.

Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Affiliation Fees/Tuition not covered in grant benefits
Dependents
Dependent financial support is available
Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Special Opportunities

The University of Eswatini (UNESWA), Southern Africa Nazarene University (SANU), and Limkokwing University of Technology can host Fulbright grantees in a variety of fields including, but not limited to: agriculture, business, environmental studies, health, media studies, social sciences, and technology.  Other institutions that may be considered include the Baylor Foundation Eswatini, the Yebo! Art Gallery and Design Studio, as well as the National Emergency Response Council for HIV/AIDS (NERCHA). 

Additional Online Resources