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.

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Ecuador

6 Open Study/Research Award

Accepted Degree Levels
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Grant Period
Fall Start
Grant Length
8-10 Months
Award Type
Open Study/Research
Award Profile

Ecuador is among the smallest countries in South America; nonetheless, it is a diverse and multiethnic country, and one of the five most bio-diverse countries in the world. Different cultures, languages, and realities offer innumerable opportunities for research and study.  

The Fulbright Commission in Ecuador welcomes applications from recent graduates, young professionals, and artists in all fields of study. The grant is to conduct research projects of 8 to 10 months, affiliated with an Ecuadorian host institution (higher education institution, NGO, government offices or research institutes) that can provide support to the applicant. 

Applicants should be able to share the diversity of the United States, have good intercultural and communication skills, and be adaptable to new environments.  Well–defined projects with clear objectives and a clear work plan are appreciated.

Grant Length
8-10 Months
Grant Period
Fall Start

Grant Length: From 8 to 10 months. 

Grantees should plan to arrive between mid-August and early September 2024. Grantees who will enroll in or audit classes must make sure to arrive on time for the start of the semester.

Orientation
Pre-Departure and In-Country Orientation

Participation in Commission-led virtual pre-departure orientation activities and attendance at the in-country arrival orientation are mandatory for all grantees.

Candidate Profile

Applications from recent graduates, master's degree students, and doctoral candidates are welcome. Applications from all fields of study are accepted.

Eligibility
Dual citizens of this country are NOT eligible
Residency in host country NOT permitted in year prior to grant
Indicate how many months is considered residency:
6 Months
Accepted Degree Levels
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Special Application Instructions

Doctoral candidates are welcome to apply as long as they will not complete their degree before the start of the grant period.

Foreign Language Proficiency
Required - Intermediate

Additional Information: Spanish language proficiency is necessary, not only for the development of the proposed project, but also in order to communicate on a daily basis. Advanced level proficiency may be necessary depending on the requirements of the proposed project. Applicants should include plans for language study between the time of application and the commencement of the grant in the Language Self-Evaluation. A Foreign Language Evaluation by a college-level Spanish-language instructor is also required.

For applicants proposing research about indigenous populations, basic-intermediate knowledge of the indigenous languages may be necessary, depending on the scope of the proposed project. 

Fulbright Proposal Types
Independent Study/Research:
Yes
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
Yes
Affiliation
Independent Study/Research:
Letter required for independent study or research at deadline
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
Letter of acceptance required prior to grant start

All independent research candidates must include in their application a letter of affiliation from a university, research institution, non-profit, or government research institute, by the application deadline.  It is important that candidates identify an institution/organization that will provide strong support to their projects. 

Graduate degree candidates must provide a letter of acceptance prior to the grant start.

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

Fulbrighters may take coursework at local institutions, but tuition costs are not covered by the Fulbright grant. Some universities have granted tuition waivers on a case-by-case basis with a letter from the Fulbright Commission. Students entering degree programs should make provisions to cover tuition costs for the duration of the program. 

Affiliation fees are not covered by the Fulbright grant.

Housing Arrangements

Grantees find their housing through Airbnb. The Commission can provide recommendations of safe neighborhoods and also provide information about previous places where grantees have stayed, mostly in Quito and the surroundings. If your project will take place in another province, we encourage grantees to request help from their affiliation institution.

Dependents
Dependent financial support is NOT available
Security Concerns

U.S. Fulbright Students must heed the U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory for Ecuador. Projects or affiliations located in specific provinces or areas of Ecuador in which U.S. citizens are advised not to travel will not be approved.  These locations may include the provinces of Esmeraldas, Carchi, Guayas, and Sucumbíos. For the most up-to-date information, please review the Travel Advisory for Ecuador.

 

Fulbright Program Management Contact
FBstudent.WHA@iie.org
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
http://www.fulbright.org.ec
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Karen Aguilar, Program Officer: programs@fulbright.org.ec
Maria Fernanda Naranjo, Deputy Director: Mnaranjo@fulbright.org.ec