Ethiopia
Open Study/Research Award
Accepted Degree Levels
|
Grant PeriodFlexible StartGrant Length6-9 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program in Ethiopia aims to strengthen educational and cultural relationships between the United States and Ethiopia.
Applications in all fields will be considered. Those that match the U.S. Embassy's priority areas are particularly encouraged.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Fulbright grants will begin between August 2026 and March 2027, subject to the approval of the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa.
Orientation
As a condition of their grants, all grantees may be required to participate in a Pre-Departure Orientation during the summer of 2026.
Candidate Profile
Ph.D. candidates who plan to conduct dissertation research are preferred. Master's- and Bachelor's-level candidates with extensive professional experience and/or study in the fields they wish to pursue and who present serious projects will also be considered. All candidates must be mature and able to carry out independent research projects in an often difficult environment.
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.
Life as a Fulbrighter in Ethiopia is a unique and enriching experience that offers opportunities for personal growth, professional development, and cross-cultural exchange. It allows Fulbrighters to deepen their understanding of global issues, forge lasting friendships, and make meaningful contributions to the communities they serve.
As Africa’s second most populous country, Ethiopia hosts numerous American citizens as visitors. A sizeable United States-based Ethiopian diaspora further underpins dynamic people-to-people relations.
Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia, means "new flower" in Amharic, the working language of the federal government and one of the two most widely spoken languages in Ethiopia, along with Afaan Oromo. At a height of 7,726 feet, Addis Ababa is situated at the foot of Mount Entoto and is one of the highest elevations for capital cities in the world and is the highest elevated capital city in Africa. With a population of more than 5.5 million people, Addis Ababa is by far the most populated city in Ethiopia. Addis Ababa holds political significance on the African continent as it is home to the African Union, Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), and the headquarters for the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
While Addis Ababa is stable, there are security concerns in other areas of the country.
Eligibility
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.
Additional Information: English is the medium of instruction at Ethiopian high schools and universities, and is sufficient for many research topics. Amharic or another local language may be essential for some types of research topics conducted outside of the capital city.
Fulbright Proposal Types
Yes
No
Affiliation
It is the applicant's responsibility to secure affiliation with an appropriate Ethiopian institution. Prospective grantees may reach out to the Cultural Affairs Office of the U.S. Embassy for assistance with contacts in the academic community in Ethiopia and for country-specific information. The Embassy strongly recommends that affiliation be with public universities. It has become increasingly difficult for Fulbrighters affiliated with NGOs to obtain an Ethiopian residency permit.
Most research and study by foreign scholars in Ethiopia is undertaken through affiliation with a host university. Applications for affiliation may be obtained from the university's Office of Research and Graduate Studies. Requests and proposals for study may be submitted by mail to the Office of Research and Graduate Studies or the appropriate department of the host university, along with three copies of the application. Successful applicants are required to pay a registration fee of US$250 (or its equivalent in Ethiopian Birr) before beginning their research. Upon approval of the affiliation proposal, the student researcher will be notified by the Office of Research and Graduate Studies. Candidates should submit their applications at least three months before their intended arrival in Ethiopia. Processing of applications may take up to two months.
The Office of Research and Graduate Studies at Addis Ababa University may be able to offer affiliation to Fulbrighters unable to secure it with other Ethiopian universities.
Affiliation Fees/Tuition
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.
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
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.