Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award

For U.S. citizens

U.S. professionals will have access to awards to carry out research and teaching activities, or residencies to support English language teaching at a Colombian institution.

Who

can apply?

Americans

Fulbright

U.S. Scholar

CategoryU.S.

SubcategoryResearch and Teaching

Call for applications open until September 15, 2023

Description

The U.S. Scholar Award offers U.S. citizens the opportunity to teach, conduct research, participate in conferences and seminars and carry out other academic activities at a Higher Education Institution, Research Center, NGO or public institution in Colombia for an academic semester (3 to 6 months).

This award is open to all disciplines. However, projects that involve work with communities outside of the host institution and/or address topics related to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from different fields of study, will be particularly welcome.

During their stay in Colombia, the grantee must give at least one talk or public conference on their research topic. Applicants to the program must attach a letter of invitation from the host institution to their application. During the period of their stay, the U.S. Scholar can carry out research activities, develop fieldwork, provide advice to professors and students, develop teaching activities, and participate in workshops and seminars, among others. Projects that involve work with communities outside the University or the academic community of the host institution will be particularly welcome.

The extended coverage of Fulbright Programs for U.S. participants in the country has been possible thanks to the significant contributions from Colombian partners such as ICETEX, the National Ministry of Education, Minciencias, SENA, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Universidad del Valle, Universidad de los Andes, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Universidad de Antioquia, Universidad del Norte, Universidad del Rosario, Universidad EAFIT, among others. In the following link, candidates can access the fields of interest in research from these partner Colombian Universities: click here.

To learn more about Colombia as a travel destination, visit www.colombia.co For questions related to the U.S. Scholar Program in Colombia or if you need assistance in finding a suitable host institution for your application, please email Educational Adviser, Ana María Carvajal, at consejeria@fulbright.edu.co

Grant benefits

Monthly stipend (USD $3,700) to cover all expenses in Colombia, including settling-in, maintenance, housing, and materials during the grant period
Travel and relocation allowance (USD $1,500; along with the first stipend payment, the grantee will receive a allowance to cover economy-class round-trip international airfare)
Accident and Sickness Health Benefits Plan for Exchanges (ASPE)
Assistance in the visa application process
Follow-up and orientation before and during the scholarship period in Colombia by the Fulbright Commission
Note: No additional allowance is provided for scholars traveling with dependents.
Orientation
Pre-Departure and In-Country Orientation: before arrival, the Fulbright Commission offers an informative webinar in which relevant information is shared regarding the grantees’ preparation, visa application process, grant document processing, among other key aspects for a successful grant start.
Special Award Benefits: during their grant period, Fulbright U.S. Scholars in the Western Hemisphere (WHA) region may apply for a short-term regional travel grant for activities such as workshops, seminars, presentations, lectures, performances, exhibits, curricular advising and similar projects at institutions in eligible WHA countries. (Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados and Eastern Caribbean, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, México, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago and Uruguay). The Regional Travel Program covers travel to and from the destination; lodging may be offered by the host institution. Scholars may only apply for this grant once in the host country on their Fulbright grant. Scholars who apply for the Flex award are ineligible for the Regional Travel Program. Additional information can be found at the Regional Travel Program website.

Benefits

Grant Period
Candidates applying for a single visit (3 to 6 months long) must propose a project timeline ensuring that their grant activities are carried out between August 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025.
Alternatively, candidates applying under the Flex option can propose multiple grant segments between August 1, 2024 and June 30, 2026. However, the first segment of Flex grants must be completed before June 30, 2025.
Within these parameters, grantees can choose the most suitable grant dates according to their availability and previous arrangements with the host institution in Colombia. A schedule of the grant activities should be included in the project statement.
Flex Description
Flex grants, which allow the grant to be split into multiple in-country visits, will be considered. The minimum length of any grant segment is one month (30 calendar days) and the maximum length is three months (90 calendar days). Two or three segments may be spread across one or two consecutive academic years.
The candidate can choose the dates for each grant segment to take place between August 1, 2024, and June 30, 2026. Please note that the first grant segment must be completed before June 30, 2025.
All candidates applying to a flex grant must specify in their applications the expected dates of all grant segments.

Benefits

Requirements

Candidate profile

On average, up to fifteen (15) U.S. Scholar grants are awarded by the Fulbright Commission in Colombia every year. The following academic profiles are eligible for this award: Artists, Early Career Academics, Higher Education Administrators and Executives, Mid-Career Academics, Professionals, Senior Academics

Elegibility

All U.S. citizens are eligible to apply, regardless of dual citizenship
Residency in the host country is permitted in the year prior to the grant
Grantees with dual U.S. and Colombian nationality are required by Colombian law to enter the country on a Colombian passport

Host institution in Colombia

Locations: Any higher education institution, research center, public institution, or NGO in Colombia is eligible for hosting a Fulbright U.S. Scholar.

How to Support an Application

Identify potential candidates at institutions relevant to the area of study in the United States and invite them to apply to the Program.
For those who show interest, send a letter of invitation according to the activities and length of stay agreed upon.
Maintain contact with the candidate during the application process.
Inter-institutional applications, which involve or impact more than one institution in Colombia, are of particular interest. These are some of the many possible combinations: Public University. – Private University, University – Research Center, University – NGO, Research Center – NGO.

Guidelines for the invitation letter

Although there is no established format for the invitation letter, we recommend the following parameters:

Letter printed on institutional letterhead
The letter includes the exact dates of the stay
The letter defines the scope of the proposed activities
The letter confirms the host institution’s interest in the candidate’s project.
The letter mentions academic support or resources available to the scholar during the visit (access to the institution’s facilities, office space, etc., as appropriate)
The letter includes contact information for the host faculty member that will support the Fulbright Scholar during his/her stay in Colombia
The letter must be duly signed

Completing the online application

Candidates must complete an online application form and upload to the application platform the supporting documentation required as part of their proposal (academic project, resume, letters of recommendation, bibliography, invitation letter from the host institution, etc.), before the closing date of the call, September 15, 2023.

U.S. applicants should refer to the award application instructions, components, and resources available at:

Note: U.S. Scholar Grantees with dual Colombian-U.S. citizenship are required by Colombian law to enter the country with their Colombian passport.

Any questions about the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program in Colombia from U.S. candidates or Colombian institutions interested in hosting a U.S. Scholar should be referred to Ana María Carvajal (consejeria@fulbright.edu.co), Educational Advisor at the Fulbright Colombia Commission. For testimonials from Fulbright U.S. Scholar alumni in Colombia click here.