Paraguay
2 Open Study/Research Award
Accepted Degree Levels
|
Grant PeriodFebruary StartGrant Length10 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
Applications are sought in all appropriate disciplines, but applications in the following disciplines and topic areas are preferred: Business Entrepreneurship and Export Development, Agronomy and Sustainable Agriculture, Engineering, Computer Science, Environmental Sciences and Biotechnology, Public Administration, Public Accountability, Rule of Law, Law Enforcement Management, STEM Education, Education, Gender Studies and other Social Sciences.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Grant Length: 10 months.
The academic year runs February through December with summer holidays from mid-December until early February. Universities and research centers are usually closed for part of this period. Two-week winter vacations usually take place in July. Candidates must take this into consideration when proposing a timeline for their projects. The latest possible start date is March 31, 2026.
Orientation
As a condition of the grant, all grantees to Paraguay are required to participate in the Pre-Departure Orientation in the U.S. in summer 2025.
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate for the Fulbright S/R position in Paraguay is an individual with a strong academic background, preferably holding a master’s degree in their field of study. They should have experience conducting research; publications in peer-reviewed journals or presentations at academic conferences are desirable but they are not a must.
The candidate should be self-motivated and independent, capable of designing and executing a research project with minimal supervision. They should also be adaptable and resilient, able to navigate the challenges of conducting research in a foreign country.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential, as the candidate will likely need to collaborate with local researchers, institutions, and community members. They should be culturally sensitive and open-minded, with a genuine interest in learning about Paraguayan culture and sharing their own.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Asuncion is the Capital city of Paraguay. The Metropolitan area has around 2 million inhabitants. A tropical savanna climate characterized by hot, humid summers and warm winters is typical in Asuncion. The relative humidity is high in the summer, so the heat index is higher than the actual air temperature. The average annual temperature is 28 °C (82 °F). Asuncion generally has an abridged dry season between June and September, but the coldest months are June and July, which can produce frost on average one day a year. Transportation is generally by buses, taxis or Uber and a local private company called MUV. The Metropolitan area is relatively safe and relaxed. Travel between cities in the Metropolitain area can vary from 30 up to 50 minutes during rush hour.
Various European countries, particularly Spain, influence Paraguayan culture. This cultural blend is seen in Paraguay's language, art, crafts (including its famous embroidery), music, festivals, literature, cinema, and fashion. The two official languages of Paraguay are Spanish and Guarani, the indigenous language spoken by about 90 percent of the population. About 95 percent of Paraguay's population of about 6.1 million people are mestizo (mixed Spanish and indigenous), further reflecting the blended nature of the nation's cultural identity. Society is generally very conservative, especially regarding LGBTQI issues, but groups are active in civil society, and there are few security concerns. Paraguay has not historically been a tourist destination, and relatively few Paraguayans have traveled to the United States.
Eligibility
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
Foreign Language Proficiency
Additional Information: Higher level proficiency in Spanish may be necessary depending on the requirements of the proposed project. Applicants should discuss plans for language study between time of application and the commencement of the grant in the Language Self-Evaluation. A Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) by a college level Spanish language instructor is also required.
Guarani is required if necessary for research projects. An FLE for Guarani should be submitted if the candidate possesses skills beyond Basic.
Fulbright Proposal Types
Yes
No
Affiliation
Letter recommended but not required at deadline
Candidates should establish contact with local hosts before submitting applications. Proposals that demonstrate such contacts and/or guaranteed institutional support in Paraguay will be given preference.
Applicants seeking assistance with local contacts may contact the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Asuncion. Inquiries may be directed to educationparaguay@state.gov.
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.
- Research/Materials allowance
- Settling in allowance
- $3,050 base allowance to cover round-trip international travel, transit, excess baggage, settling-in expenses
- $500 research 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.
This website may help you estimate the cost of living, meals, and incidentals in different capital cities. Significant differences can exist in smaller towns where costs tend to be lower.
Exchange rate (as of 2/21/2024) is USD 1 = PYG 7,280. Below numbers are calculated for one person.
Estimate of Monthly Expenses:
- Rent & utilities - $550
- Food - $400
- Transportatoin - $100
Dependents
Housing Arrangements
The U.S. Embassy does not assist in locating or helping secure housing for U.S. Fulbright grantees, but they are happy to answer any specific questions applicants might have about potential housing. The host institution should be the primary source of assistance in grantees' housing search.