Research

U.S. Student Researcher Program

Collaborative research in Colombia for up to 8 months for U.S. graduate students

Open Call

Why choose Colombia as a country of destination for your Fulbright Award?

Colombia stands as an exceptional academic destination for U.S. professors and researchers seeking a transformative and enriching collaborative research or teaching experience. With a diverse and vibrant culture, scholars can immerse themselves in a nation known for its warm hospitality and resilience.

In recent years, Colombia has stood out for its prominent leadership in the fields of sustainability and innovation as a solid pathway towards equitable development, social justice, and consolidating a culture of peace. This decisive leadership reflects the country’s strong commitment to strengthening education, research, and entrepreneurship. It offers an inspiring setting for scholars to contribute meaningfully to their disciplines and develop lasting connections and a deeper understanding of this dynamic nation.

Profile

Open to U.S. citizens, including young professionals, recent graduates, artists, and graduate students interested in carrying out collaborative research projects in Colombia. Applicants should demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and the ability to serve as cultural ambassadors of the United States in our country

Description

An opportunity to deepen academic, artistic, or professional interests by working alongside local institutions through collaborative research projects, for a period of up to one academic year (8 months) at a higher education institution, research center, public entity, or NGO.

All of this is aimed at generating knowledge and promoting cultural and academic exchange between both countries, while laying the groundwork for future collaborations and interdisciplinary work that addresses shared needs and challenges between Colombia and the United States. In addition, it strengthens ties between U.S. researchers and key stakeholders in Colombia, contributing to the internationalization of the country’s academic institutions and organizations

“Kudos to the Fulbright program for providing me, and many others with such an enriching learning opportunity in a country unlike my own. I have been able to learn about what it means to live in Colombia, and understand so many practices and customs this culture holds sacrosanct. Thank you Fulbright Colombia!”

“Colombia is a magical place. You’re going to have a fantastic experience, I promise you. Patience and grace! Patience with yourself, patience and grace with learning a new culture. Every part of Colombia you go to, folx have different customs, ways of communicating, and different accents when they speak. It can be overwhelming initially, but what a gift you have in this fantastic country”

“I have wanted to live in Colombia for 20 years. 20 years ago the timing was not right for foreigners working on peace processes. With the number of hurdles, fieldwork seemed impossible. Yet, I applied anyway. My life is forever different. I have been blessed by the kindness, welcoming nature, openness, and honesty of the Colombian people wherever I have been. THANK YOU for such an incredible experience. I now see Colombia as my second home”

Colombia as a Travel Destination

Colombia: A country of vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes, and warm hospitality.

Resources

Aditional Info

The team at the Fulbright Colombia Commission provides ongoing support during immigration procedures, including liaising with relevant institutions to follow up on specific cases, solving questions that may arise during the Visa or Foreigner ID Card application process, and monitoring.

This program aims to support our new grantees in the process of adapting to life in Colombia, to mitigate cultural shock upon arrival in a new country. Through this initiative, the Commission assigns Colombian Fulbright alumni to voluntarily support and guide the inbound Cohort of U.S. grantees.

More than 3,200 Colombian citizens have been awarded Fulbright grants to pursue graduate studies or conduct research or teaching activities in the U.S. Belonging to the Fulbright alumni network is one of the main benefits of the Fulbright award. Upon request, the Fulbright Commission team can facilitate connections, interactions, and collaborations among U.S. grantees and former Colombian grantees located in their city or placement region, or working in specific fields of interest. 

We promote a dynamic Fulbright community through various activities, including casual Happy Hours for alumni in various cities, academic lectures, sports events, and Fulbrighter Week. Our approach combines social, academic, and networking elements to provide grantees with a well-rounded and enriching experience, fostering both professional skills and lasting connections.

Before arrival, the Fulbright Commission offers a series of informative webinars in which relevant information is shared regarding the grantees’ preparation, the visa application process, and grant document processing, among other key aspects for a successful grant start. The grant period begins with an Orientation Seminar organized by the Fulbright Colombia Commission in late July, developed under the hybrid modality. Attendance to the Orientation Seminar is mandatory for all ETA grantees.

Grantees will also participate in the Mid-Year Enrichment Seminar. This space is designed to enhance the pedagogical skills of Fulbright ETA grantees by providing them with advanced methodological strategies and access to innovative teaching approaches to enrich their ability to teach English effectively.

The program features lectures on topics relevant to U.S. grantees and their projects in Colombia, led by speakers from the team at the U.S. Embassy in Colombia. These sessions enhance their knowledge and provide insightful experiences for a greater impact and fruitful collaborations. Some examples of topics having been covered as part of the U.S. Embassy Speakers Program are:

  • Partnering for Social Projects in Colombia 
  • The U.S. Foreign Service for U.S. Grantees

The U.S. Embassy in Colombia offers a one-hour Security Briefing, led by a representative from the Regional Security Office (RSO), which provides general recommendations and security guidelines for Colombia.

Since 2023, the Fulbright Commission in Colombia implemented a digital platform designed to facilitate the tracking of U.S. and Colombian Fulbright grantees, reception of reports, documents, and updates, as well as to maintain up-to-date contact information.

The ASPE (Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges) Health Benefits Plan is a self-funded, limited, health care benefit plan designed to pay emergent covered medical expenses for eligible Exchange Participants. Click here to learn more about this benefit for Fulbright grantees.

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