Guinea
Open Study/Research Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodFlexible StartGrant Length6-9 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program in Guinea aims to strengthen educational and cultural relationships between the United States and Guinea.
Applicants who meet the eligibility requirements from all applicable public policy areas and academic backgrounds are welcome to apply. Those with projects in the following areas are especially encouraged: agriculture, economic development, education, human rights and justice, and public health.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Fulbright grants will begin between October 2026 and March 2027, although strikes and other administrative difficulties have disrupted the academic calendar at some Guinean universities in recent years.
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
Candidates at the master's and Ph.D. level will be considered.
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.
The Republic of Guinea has endured a turbulent history, most recently with the 2021 military coup d’état. Guinea has great economic potential, particularly in the mining, agriculture, and power sectors. While the country remains at the bottom of many lists in human and economic development, the trend is positive as its position has improved in recent years.
Guinea, having endured colonialism followed by decades of dictatorship, mismanagement, poverty, and disease, is slowly developing its economic and democratic potential. Following the official end of the West African Ebola crisis in 2016, which caused significant economic damage and took a toll on the country’s health care system, and the 2021 coup, which strained Guinea's social and political fabric, Guinea now looks to strengthen its nascent democracy as well as encourage economic and social development.
Eligibility
Degree Level of Applicant
- 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: French language proficiency is necessary not only for the development of the proposed project but also in order to settle in easily and communicate on a daily basis. Higher level proficiency may be necessary depending on the requirements of the proposed project. Local languages may also be needed, depending on the area of research.
Foreign Language Proficiency Level by Grant Start
If a Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is Required, applicants must have the following proficiency level by the start of the grant period. If a Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is Recommended, applicants are encouraged but not required to have the following level by the start of the grant period.
Fulbright Proposal Types
Yes
No
Affiliation
It is strongly recommended that applicants identify appropriate host institutions for their projects and that they include affiliation letters with their Fulbright applications. The Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy is willing to assist with this, but candidates should recognize that securing affiliations is ultimately their responsibility.
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.
Dependents
Research Clearance
A letter requesting authorization of research should be sent to the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research along with the affiliation letter. The Public Diplomacy Section is willing to help with this.
Applicants should contact their host institution or the Embassy about applying for a research permit, providing the area of research and timeline. There are three types of research permits: a three-month permit, a six-month permit, and a one-year permit. Each permit may be renewed once, and for each renewal the research team must present a preliminary report of activities. The U.S. Embassy may work with Fulbright grantees to secure research permits, if the need arises.