Tanzania
Open Study/Research Award
Accepted Degree Levels
|
Grant PeriodFlexible StartGrant Length6-9 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
Proposals to conduct research and/or study in Tanzania, as part of the candidate's current graduate program, will be considered. Affiliation with a higher education institution is central to this type of project, as is the presentation of a well-thought-out research plan. All applicants are required to demonstrate the relevance of their projects to the Tanzania Fulbright Program's mandate, which is to enhance mutual understanding between the United States and Tanzania.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Fulbright grants will begin between September 2024 and March 2025, subject to the approval of the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam.
Orientation
As a condition of their grants, all grantees may be required to participate in a Pre-Departure Orientation during the summer of 2024.
Candidate Profile
The Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy in Tanzania is seeking applicants who demonstrate:
- Rigor in scholarly enquiry and academic excellence
- Strong reasons for wishing to pursue the proposed project in Tanzania
- A desire to gain a better understanding of the peoples and cultures of their host country
- Commitment to the community through volunteer and extra-curricular activities
- Flexibility and dynamism necessary for active involvement in the host country
Eligibility
Candidates must be enrolled in a doctoral program at the time their grant period begins.
Degree Level of Applicant
- Doctoral
Foreign Language Proficiency
Additional Information: Swahili language proficiency is not a requirement in the selection process. However, applicants should include plans for studying the language if selected, since Swahili language abilities will greatly enhance the Fulbright experience and will promote deeper engagement with the host community. Other indigenous languages may be useful or necessary for certain projects, especially outside of urban areas.
Fulbright Proposal Types
Yes
No
Affiliation
Letter recommended but not required at deadline
The role of the affiliation in the U.S. Student Program is to provide ongoing and substantive oversight and support for the grantee's project. Grantees will be required to have affiliations with accredited academic or research institutions in Tanzania. Therefore, applicants must initiate contact with the host institution of preference and obtain a formal letter of invitation or affiliation. In addition to indicating the nature of the affiliation between the applicant and the host institution (e.g., auditing classes, access to facilities or resources, collaboration with an ongoing project, etc.), the letter should state that a host contact will be available during the grant year to mentor the applicant and/or supervise the applicant's work on the proposed project. It is the applicant’s responsibility to secure affiliation with a higher education institution. It is not possible for a grantee to obtain research clearance from the Commission of Science and Technology (COSTECH) if the grantee does not have affiliation with a local higher education institution. Affiliation is also needed for obtaining the long-term visa and residency permit required of foreign researchers in Tanzania.
Affiliation Fees/Tuition
It is the Fulbright grantee's responsibility to inquire and confirm about affiliation fees with their selected host institution.
Dependents
Housing Arrangements
The host institution will not provide housing but may assist grantees in locating nearby and appropriate housing. Grantees are also welcome to arrange their own private housing.
Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Research Clearance for Mainland Tanzania
Information on visas and residency permits is available on the Tanzania immigration website. The Tanzania Commision for Science and Technology (COSTECH) issues research permits. It is important to note that a long-term stay visa and residency permits will not be approved for students who do not have a research permit. Detailed information on the research permit application is available here.
After arrival in Tanzania, field researchers should allow for a flexible schedule for a month to process COSTECH and immigration documents in case additional documents are needed, or other clearances are required, depending on the research topic. Again, students must work closely with their host institutions to assist them in processing these documents. For example, researchers in forestry, wildlife, medicine, or those with projects involving minors, patients, or animals, may need additional clearances from other agencies. Researchers are advised to apply for clearance early and ask COSTECH whether there is a possibility they will require other clearances.
Research Clearance and Residence Permit for Zanzibar
Research in Zanzibar requires clearance from the Office of the Chief Minister in Zanzibar, P. O. Box 239 Zanzibar, Tanzania. The application letter should describe the proposed research and formally request permission to carry out the project. It is also wise to send a courtesy copy of the application letter to the Assistant Minister, Ministry of State Planning, P.O. Box 874, Zanzibar, Tanzania.
Recently, some Fulbrighters have alternatively received clearance through the Zanzibar Division of Archives, Museums and Antiquities when they had relevant research interests with that institution. It can be reached at +255 (0)24 2230342 or via email. Obtaining clearance can be a lengthy process, so candidates should begin the application for research clearance simultaneously with the application for a grant—but should not pay any fees (except application fees) until if/when they are formally offered Fulbright grants.
In addition, a mainland residence permit is not valid in Zanzibar. Researchers on this island must therefore get a residence permit in Zanzibar (which is, however, also valid on the mainland).
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
General Inquiries : drs_exchanges@state.gov
Rehema Kalinga: kalingarj@state.gov