2024-2025 competition is closed. 2025-2026 competition will open on April 2, 2024

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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.

Uganda


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 Uganda aims to strengthen educational and cultural relationships between the United States and Uganda. 

The Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy in Kampala manages a small but vibrant Fulbright program that welcomes applications in a wide range of fields, including: area, ethnic, culture and gender studies; natural resources and conservation; the visual and performing arts; and the biological and biomedical sciences. Projects that support mission programs in health and education, as well as inclusive public institutions, and economic growth through improved access to domestic and international markets, strengthening democracy are especially encouraged.

Grant Length
6-9 Months
Grant Period
Flexible Start

Grants will begin between August 2024 and March 2025, subject to the approval of the U.S. Embassy in Kampala.

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 2024.

Candidate Profile

Candidates should be self-motivated, flexible, adaptable and ready to be self-sufficient. They should be ready to embrace a different culture from the one to which they are accustomed and make connections of their own.  

 

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: Although English is the official language, knowledge of the local language where one will be conducting research is advantageous.

Fulbright Proposal Types
Independent Study/Research:
Yes
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
No
Affiliation
Independent Study/Research:
Letter recommended but not required at deadline

It is the applicant’s responsibility to secure affiliation with an established university department, research facility, non-governmental organization, or other appropriate institution. It is strongly recommended that applicants identify appropriate host institutions for their projects and that they include affiliation letters with their Fulbright applications.

Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Affiliation Fees/Tuition not covered in grant benefits

Some institutions, such as the Makerere Institute for Social Research (MISR) and the Center for Basic Research (CBR), universities departments or organizations may require an affiliation fee. However, applicants should not pay this fee until they are formally offered a Fulbright award.

Dependents
Dependent financial support is available
Housing Arrangements

Grantees are responsible for making their own long-term housing arrangements.  It is recommended that they request housing advice from their affiliate organizations and contacts. 

Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Security Considerations

Rebel and bandit activity in the areas along the Sudanese border in northern Uganda and in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) along the western border have in a few instances made these areas unstable and insecure. Caution should be exercised when carrying out research near these borders. For the latest security information, please review the State Department’s website, where the current travel warnings, travel alerts, and worldwide caution can be found.

Research Clearance

The Uganda National Council of Science and Technology (UNCST) should approve all research projects, but candidates should not pay any fees until they are formally offered a Fulbright award. Candidates with projects involving human subjects may need to secure multiple ethical clearances. 

Health Considerations

Medical facilities in Uganda, including in Kampala, are limited and not equipped to handle most emergencies, especially those requiring surgery. Outside of Kampala, hospitals are scarce and offer only basic services. Equipment and medicines are often in short supply or unavailable. Researchers should carry their own supplies of prescription drugs and preventive medicines.

Malaria is prevalent in Uganda. For additional information on malaria, including protective measures, see the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Travelers Health website. Guidance on vaccinations and other health precautions may also be obtained from the CDC’s website. For information on outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization (WHO) website. Further health details are available here.

Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Ann Nambi: NambiAK@state.gov
Amy Petersen: PetersenAB@state.gov