Togo
Open Study/Research Award
Accepted Degree Levels
|
Grant PeriodFlexible StartGrant Length6-9 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program in Togo aims to strengthen educational and cultural relationships between the United States and Togo.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Fulbright grants will begin between August 2025 and March 2026, subject to the approval of the U.S. Embassy in Lomé.
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
Candidates need to be self-guided and flexible. They should not expect Embassy support for transportation, computers or money exchange.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Togo is home to a diverse mix of ethnic groups, each with its own cultural traditions, languages, and practices. Togo is one of the most heterogeneous countries in the world, with over 40 ethnic groups in a population of only 8 million people; the two largest ethnic groups are the Ewe in the south and the Kabye in the north. Togo is a model for religious tolerance, with Christians, Muslims and Animists living together peacefully. Traditional music, dance, and festivals play a significant role in Togolese culture. French is the official language of Togo due to its colonial history. However, most Togolese people speak Mina (a combination of Ewe, French and English), Kabye or Kotocoli, and your friends and peers will be thrilled if you decide to learn a few pleasantries in local languages.
Togolese people are very welcoming, and you are sure to receive frequent questions about your background, language, culture, and life in the United States. Diasporic ties with the U.S. remain strong, and you will often find that your peers have a family member living in the United States. Lome’s proximity to Ghana means that many people have a strong interest in learning English for business or personal reasons. Although Togolese people may initially seem private or reserved, if you ask to join in, you are sure to find a community that will enthusiastically include you in cultural events, local meals, or adventures outside of Lome. Within the country’s cities, you can participate in classes to learn local crafts such as wax print dyeing, take traditional dance classes, or join a sports team to meet locals and learn more about Togolese culture. While Togo’s tourism infrastructure is still developing, plenty of opportunities exist for adventurous travelers to explore both in and outside of the capital region, including trips to beaches, cultural sites, waterfalls, and untouched rivers.
While challenges such as instability, corruption, gender inequality, and inadequate health infrastructure do impact various aspects of daily life, the overall ambiance is quiet and pleasant in Lome. Togolese civil society remains motivated to strengthen its democracy and build a more prosperous future through economic and social development.
Eligibility
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
Foreign Language Proficiency
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.
Fulbright Proposal Types
Yes
No
Affiliation
Letter recommended but not required at deadline
It is the applicant’s responsibility to secure affiliation with an educational or research institution. It is strongly recommended that applicants identify appropriate host institutions for their projects and that they include affiliation letters with their Fulbright applications. Those interested in affiliating with the Universities of Lomé and Kara should bear in mind that student protests have led to occasional campus closures.
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
Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Research Clearance
Applicants should send a letter, a summary of their research proposal, and a curriculum vitae (in French) to the Minister of Education and Research, stating the field, project, period of research, and area of the country that will be covered by their research.
Mail to: Ambassade du Togo, 2208 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008. Please send copies of these documents to the Public Affairs Officer, Public Diplomacy–Lomé, Department of State, 2300 Lomé Place, Washington, DC 20521-2300.