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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.

Ethiopia

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 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 - peace and security, rule of law and governance, and economic growth - are particularly encouraged.

Grant Length
6-9 Months
Grant Period
Flexible Start

Fulbright grants will begin between August 2025 and March 2026, subject to the approval of the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa.

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

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?

TEST

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: 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
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 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
Affiliation Fees/Tuition not covered in grant benefits
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.

4,000 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
http://et.usembassy.gov