The U.S. Student Program facilitates cultural exchange through direct interaction on an individual basis in the classroom, field, home, and routine tasks, allowing the grantee to appreciate others’ viewpoints and beliefs and how they do things, and the way they think. Through engagement in the community, the individual will interact with their hosts on a one-to-one basis in an atmosphere of openness, academic integrity, and intellectual freedom, thereby promoting mutual understanding. Grantees typically conduct their studies/research projects while gaining international experience during a nine-month academic exchange.

Fulbright Study and Research Award: Candidate Profile

The following attributes are very important in the selection of finalists for this award:

• 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

Eligibility

• Residency in host country NOT permitted in year prior to grant (3 Months)
• Dual citizens of this country are NOT eligible
• 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.
• U.S citizens with Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctoral degrees can apply

Is Portuguese knowledge a requirement for a Fulbright in Brazil?

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.

Award Benefits

• Estimated Monthly stipend of $1,020.00 (Subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection)
• International travel benefits
• Accident & sickness health benefits
• Mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
• 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
• Research allowance
• Settling-in allowance: US$1,020.00
• Local transportation allowance for the in-country arrival orientation