Mauritius
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 Mauritius aims to strengthen educational and cultural relationships between the United States and Mauritius.
Preference is given to projects that directly support Mauritius and/or enhance Mauritian-U.S. relations. Proposals in the following subject areas are encouraged: linguistics, history and humanities, education, marine science and oceanography, agricultural science, business, cyber security, artificial intelligence, financial technology.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Fulbright grants will begin between August 2026 and January 2027, subject to the approval of the U.S. Embassy in Port Louis. If affiliated with the University of Mauritius or any other higher education institution, grantees should know that semester dates are August-December and January-May.
Orientation
As a condition of their grants, all grantees may be required to participate in a Pre-Departure Orientation during the summer of 2026.
In the weeks preceding their arrival in Mauritius, each grantee should schedule with the Embassy the time and date of their check-in and security briefing, which should ideally occur within their first three days in the country.
Candidate Profile
Ph.D. candidates who plan to conduct dissertation research and Master's candidates are preferred. Bachelor's-level candidates who present serious projects will also 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.
Located off the southeast coast of Africa, neighboring the French island of La Reunion, Mauritius is an island state of 1.2 million inhabitants spanning 1,865 square kilometers. The country’s political and economic situation has been stable since its independence in 1968. Mauritius also performs well in “ease of doing business” rankings, particularly when compared with other African countries. In fact, the 2020 World Bank report ranked Mauritius best in Africa for ease of doing business.
Mauritius has a maritime climate with slight differences between tropical summer and subtropical winter. Humidity is high, and annual rainfall along the central plateau's western slopes totals nearly 200 inches. In Floreal, the area where some Embassy residences are located, the winter low can drop to 50°F with high winds and rains, making it seem much colder. The summer daytime high is in the 80s with nighttime temperatures about 10°F cooler. Temperatures in Port Louis and at the beach are about 10°F higher than elsewhere on the island. Rainy and dry seasons are not well defined, and vegetation remains green all year. Mildew is a year-round problem and cyclones threaten the island between November and April.
The Government of Mauritius (GOM) does not require a visa for U.S. citizens. However, Fulbright grantees must have certain documents to facilitate their entry into Mauritius. Grantees are encouraged to be prepared to present a valid passport, onward/return ticket, proof of sufficient funds, a letter of acceptance from the host institution with copy to the Ministry of Education, marriage certificate (if accompanied by spouse) and the Fulbright acceptance letter which itemizes the amount of the grant upon arrival. Obtaining extended visas and residence permits can be very difficult. The host institution may assist with extended visas, residence and work permits, and exemption certificates for Fulbright Scholars.
Applicants are encouraged to reach to out to the Public Affairs Section of the Embassy for guidance at portlouis_pas@state.gov.
Eligibility
12 Months
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 official national language, principal language of instruction, and the only language needed for research on most contemporary topics. However, a working knowledge of French is useful -- and, in fact, essential to conduct historical research. Creole is useful for field studies. Creole classes are available in-country for foreigners. The U.S. Embassy in Mauritius can refer grantees to a few institutions/teachers prior to their arrival.
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 the applicant's responsibility to secure affiliation with an appropriate host institution. It is strongly recommended that they identify appropriate host institutions for their projects and that they include affiliation letters with their Fulbright applications. Candidates with an academic affiliation should contact the Dean of the Faculty at that institution to obtain clearance and/or clarification of the specific research area. While candidates may be able to take university classes, independent research should be the primary grant activity.
If seeking affiliation with the University of Mauritius, applicants should know that this institution has expressed its wish to welcome more Ph.D. candidates to support its expansion both in terms of the number of students and also of the courses offered. This is also true for other tertiary institutions, including, but not limited to: the Open University of Mauritius; the University of Technology, Mauritius; and Curtin Mauritius and Middlesex University (both are private 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.
Fulbrighters should expect to pay $600 per month for their basic monthly expenses (housing not included).
Dependents
Housing Arrangements
Grantees must provide the appropriate program officers with their final itineraries at least 4 weeks in advance so that those officers can inform PAS Port Louis of their travel schedules. PAS can help coordinate a trusted taxi service to greet Fulbrighters and take them to their temporary lodging.
Fulbright researchers and U.S. students must arrange their own accommodations. The host institution can also assist in locating suitable housing. The experience of current and past grantees in finding furnished housing is mixed. Some have quickly settled into housing shown to them by the host institutions; others have gone to commercial real estate brokers to find a house or apartment.
Brokers charge a fee, usually one month's rent, which is not reimbursed by the host institution. Generally, grantees have found housing in the MUR 15,000-20,000 (approximately $375-475) range if housing is secured in the center of the island in towns such as Quatre-Bornes or Rose-Hill. However, housing can vary between MUR 22,000-32,000 and sometimes higher on the coast. Please note that the Immigration officers will request a proof of residence upon your arrival. It is therefore advised that all grantees secure housing prior to their travel to Mauritius.