Brazil
30 Open Study/Research Awards
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodSeptember StartGrant Length9 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
Proposals to conduct study and research in Brazil, either independently or as part of the candidate's current graduate program, will be considered. Affiliation with an academic 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 Brazil Fulbright Program's mandate, which is to enhance mutual understanding between the United States and Brazil.
Applicants who will have received a Ph.D. by December 31, 2025, should apply to the Fulbright Scholar Program.
Grant Length
Grant Period
- Grant dates follow the U.S. academic calendar.
- For a nine-month grant, grant dates will be from September 2025 to June 2026.
- Other start dates will not be considered.
- Candidates must attend the in-country arrival orientation.
Orientation
Mandatory.
All pre-departure orientation sessions occur online a few weeks or months preceding the grant start date. They cover:
- Visa application process with the Fulbright Commission staff
- Health and security briefings, with the U.S. Embassy in Brazil specialized officers
- Mental health care, with a Brazilian clinical psychologist specialized in cross-cultural issues
- Identity abroad and DEIA-related topics with the Fulbright Western Hemisphere Affairs Diversity and Inclusion Liaison
The grant starts with the in-country arrival orientation, which lasts up to four days. After orientation is over, grantees head to their host cities.
Orientation takes place in São Paulo, the hub airport in Brazil. The Fulbright Commission provides accommodation, meals, and an allowance to help cover transportation to/from the airport for the orientation days.
Candidate Profile
The following attributes are very important in the selection of finalists for this award:
- Presenting a strong, well-defined project proposal
- Demonstrating a solid working relationship with the proposed affiliate in the application
- Clearly outlining plans for engagement with the host community and
- Expressing the relevance of the proposed grant activities to the applicants’ plans.
We also consider the following competencies essential to succeed as a researcher in another country, and we suggest you reflect on them before putting your application together. You are welcome to provide examples of your competencies in your personal statement or the statement of grant purpose if you decide the Fulbright Study and Research award suits you.
- Motivation and seriousness of purpose
- Ability to plan and carry out research
- Self-reliance and independence
- Potential for future growth in the chosen field
- Ability to communicate with people from various backgrounds
Proficiency in Portuguese is considered somewhat important in the selection of finalists; while it enhances the strength of an applicant, weak Portuguese skills will not harm an applicant’s chances of being offered an award. However, by the start of the grant participants will be expected to have an intermediate level of Portuguese.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Jesse Rocha
U.S. Student Study & Research 2022-23 at Fundação Armando Alvares Penteado, in São Paulo, Brazil.
Field of Study: Art History
Initially, Brazil overwhelmed me with its differences from home. I was in one of the biggest cities in the world, with a whole new language, culture, currency, and more. But once I took myself out of my comfort zone, I was amazed by the opportunities in front of me. Brazil offers a variety of low-cost benefits, including healthcare, cultural centers, and street festivals, meaning I always had chances to engage with the Brazilian lifestyle. Brazilians enjoy sharing their culture with newcomers, so I felt very welcomed into the country. This also extended into my research, as everyone from professors to artists themselves opened up their offices and even homes to help guide me. Exposure to Portuguese enabled me to read and write it better and more confidently than ever before. I ended my time in Brazil with a wide network of colleagues and friends and a stronger academic trajectory.
Eligibility
3 Months
Exceptions can be granted for short-term residency in the host country for formal language learning and for no more than three months in the 12 months prior to the start of the grant.
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
Special Application Instructions
Candidates must apply for a one-time research allowance of up to U$ 5,000. For that, please include in your statement of grant purpose a project budget with itemized costs that you foresee as necessary for the research. Examples of needed items are:
- traveling outside your host area for research purposes and conferences and the related costs such as domestic flights, accommodation, and conference fees
- books, pieces of equipment, and materials that must be donated to the host institution at the end of the grant
- specific needs assistance
Everyday costs such as rent, meals, and local transportation will not be considered for this special benefit. Your monthly stipend covers those costs.
Keep in mind that a solid grant proposal will help us better understand your project allowance request. While it is true that the Commission will look at each cost, we will have a particular interest in understanding how the listed items relate to your research plans.
Foreign Language Proficiency
Consider the information below if your research will rely on connections from outside your host institution:
Level: Intermediate Portuguese - 2 years of college-level study or equivalent prior to commencing the grant OR Advanced Spanish - 3 years of college-level study in Spanish or the equivalent prior to commencing the grant, plus an additional study of Portuguese at the time of application.
Additional Information: Some Portuguese language skills are necessary, not only for the development of the proposed project but also in order to settle in easily and communicate on a daily basis. Applicants should discuss plans for language study between the time of application and the commencement of the grant via the Language Self Evaluation. A Foreign Language Evaluation by a college-level Portuguese language instructor is required.
In the case of Advanced Spanish language skills applicants who have begun the study of Portuguese at the time of application, a Foreign Language Evaluation by a college-level language instructor in both Spanish and Portuguese is required.
Fulbright Proposal Types
Yes
No
Affiliation
Letter required for independent study or research at deadline
All applications must include a letter of affiliation. All candidates should state their host institution preferences in the application form.
All candidates must have an affiliation with an academic institution or research institute. Additional affiliations with non-profit organizations, archives, or governmental agencies are acceptable and may be desirable depending on the nature of the candidate's proposal. Final selection by the Commission is subject to confirmation of an affiliation. If necessary, the Commission will assist applicants in confirming a possible host institution affiliation or recommending alternate ones.
Graduating seniors and recent graduates must register as auditing students in at least one class per semester, preferably two, at the academic or research institution of affiliation. Registering for classes does not count for credit and does not entail paying tuition fees. Please approach your potential host professor or academic adviser about registering for their classes or others of your interest.
Candidates should not wait until near the application deadline to contact the Brazilian institution of their choice to obtain a letter of invitation. If that will be the first time communicating with a potential Brazilian host, be aware that receiving a response can take longer than expected.
The letter of invitation can include the following:
- Indication that courses related to the applicant's interests will be available during the grant period (for graduating seniors and recent graduates only).
- Confirmation of the Brazilian institution's interest in hosting the candidate.
- Confirmation that the candidate will have access to the institution's facilities and services.
- Information about project feasibility regarding language skills, research clearance, and any further relevant information. Please see the Research Clearance section below for more details.
- Information on how the proposed project can impact ongoing activities in the Brazilian host institution.
- Information about a possible collaboration with or support from other organizations that are part of the host affiliate network.
The above list aims to help the applicant with the conversations with a potential affiliate. The Commission does not require all the suggested items be in the letter. While they can be helpful in the selection process, the lack of them will not damage the application.
Letters can be in Portuguese or English. If the invitation letter is in Portuguese, the applicant must include an English translation and the original letter with the application.
Research Clearance Instructions:
Candidates must discuss with their intended Brazilian affiliation how to apply for research clearance if their project plans contemplate, but are not limited to:
- Research with human participants
- Research in protected areas
- Research involving secondary use of data
Please note that in some cases, obtaining research clearance may take a minimum of ten months.
As a general recommendation, we strongly advise finalists to contact the host institution as soon as they are notified of their selection.
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.
The Fulbright Commission pays your stipend in bulk of U$ 3,060.00 every three months, with the first payment being made no later than 30 days before the grant start date.
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.
- Registration/Permitting fees
- Research/Materials allowance
- Settling in allowance
- Local transportation allowance
Grantees will receive the following one-time allowances:
- Registration/permitting fees: US$50.00
- Research allowance: up to US$5,000.00 upon submission and approval of a budget request.
- Settling-in allowance: US$1,020.00
- Local transportation allowance for the in-country arrival orientation: U$50.00
Additional Grant Benefits
- Mid-year seminar
The Commission will hold a mid-year or end-of-the-grant seminar for grantees to reconnect and present their research findings to the Commission and the Brazilian government funding agency.
Another additional benefit for Fulbright grantees in Brazil is the visa application fee waiver and simple visa application process.
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
Please visit this website to help estimate the cost of living, meals, and incidentals in different capital cities in Brazil. Significant differences can exist in smaller towns where costs tend to be lower.
Dependents
Housing Arrangements
The Commission doesn't offer housing or host family placements. Grantees are responsible for finding housing and making their arrangements. The Fulbright Commission can connect grantees with alumni who might provide helpful information about specific host cities.
Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Specific Considerations
Projects are encouraged in all parts of Brazil, not just in the main population centers. Specifically, priority will be given to applicants who locate their projects outside the urban areas of Sao Paulo, Salvador, and Rio de Janeiro. Be aware that competition for these urban areas is greater because of a proportionally more significant number of applications. Applications from all degree levels and in all fields of study are welcome.
The Fulbright Commission in Brazil can accommodate virtual office hours. If you would like to discuss your potential host city and possible host institutions or have any questions concerning the grant administration, don't hesitate to contact us. Please refer to the Fulbright Program Management contact for application form-related questions.
This award is co-sponsored by the Brazilian government through the Federal Agency for Support and Evaluation of Graduate Education (CAPES).