Submit Applications for Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program

Deadline: 01-Nov-2026

The Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program offers citizens and permanent residents of Fiji, Kiribati, Naoero, and Tuvalu an opportunity to conduct three to 12 months of non-degree, post-doctoral research in the United States in collaboration with American academics or field experts. The award provides financial support including a stipend, allowances, travel support and, where applicable, dependent benefits, with programmes expected to begin between August 2027 and May 2028. What Is the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program? The Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program supports established academics, researchers and professionals from Fiji, Kiribati, Naoero and Tuvalu who wish to undertake post-doctoral research in the United States. The programme is designed to strengthen academic and professional expertise while building connections between scholars from the participating Pacific countries and U.S. universities, research institutions and experts. The programme also supports the broader Fulbright objective of promoting mutual understanding and academic exchange between the United States and participating countries. What Does the Fellowship Support? The award provides an opportunity for selected scholars to conduct non-degree research in the United States.

Research projects should:

Focus on a specific academic or professional field. Be conducted in collaboration with U.S. academics or field experts. Strengthen the applicant’s academic or professional expertise. Contribute to leadership and professional development. Support greater understanding between the United States and Fiji, Kiribati, Naoero and Tuvalu. The programme is not intended to fund a degree programme in the United States. Fellowship Duration and Start Period Research projects must have a duration of:

Minimum: 3 months.

Maximum: 12 months.

Selected programmes are expected to begin between August 2027 and May 2028. Applicants should therefore develop a realistic research timeline that fits within the proposed fellowship period. Financial Benefits The Fulbright Visiting Scholar award provides several forms of financial assistance.

The award may include:

Monthly or programme stipend. Professional allowance. Settling-in allowance. Travel allowance. Baggage allowance. Dependent allowance, where applicable. The exact value and applicable components of the award depend on the programme’s terms and the scholar’s circumstances. Who Is Eligible? The programme is open to qualified applicants who are citizens or permanent residents of Fiji, Kiribati, Naoero, or Tuvalu.

Eligible applicants may include:

University academics. Think tank researchers. Research professionals. Other professionals conducting relevant research. Preference is given to university academics who hold full-time positions.

Preferred academic applicants include:

Full-time lecturers. Assistant professors. Associate professors. Full professors. Applicants should also have an established connection to their academic or professional field and demonstrate the ability to conduct independent research. Key Eligibility Requirements Applicants must meet the programme’s academic, professional and language requirements.

They must:

Be a citizen or permanent resident of Fiji, Kiribati, Naoero or Tuvalu. Hold a doctoral degree or equivalent professional training or experience at the time of application. Have sufficient English-language proficiency to participate effectively in U.S. academic environments. Be capable of completing the proposed research project. Develop a research proposal appropriate for a non-degree visiting scholar programme. U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents are not eligible for this Fulbright Visiting Scholar opportunity. Post-Fellowship Requirement University academics receiving the award are expected to return to their home country and continue teaching after completing the programme. This reflects the programme’s goal of strengthening academic institutions and professional expertise in Fiji, Kiribati, Naoero and Tuvalu. Applicants should therefore explain how their proposed research will contribute to their continued academic or professional work after returning home. What Makes a Strong Research Proposal? A competitive proposal should clearly explain: The research problem or question. Why the topic is important. The proposed methodology. Why research in the United States is valuable. The role of the proposed U.S. host or collaborator. Expected research outcomes. How the project will contribute to the applicant’s professional development. How the knowledge gained will benefit the applicant’s home institution or country. The proposal should also demonstrate why the applicant needs access to particular U.S. expertise, facilities, archives, datasets, field sites or academic networks. U.S. Host Institution and Invitation Letter A letter of invitation from a U.S. host institution is preferred as part of the application. Applicants should identify an appropriate university, research institution, think tank, academic or field expert whose expertise closely matches the proposed research. Where available, applicants should also provide correspondence with U.S. institutions demonstrating preliminary discussions about the proposed research collaboration. A strong host relationship can help demonstrate that the proposed project is practical and that the applicant has a clear research environment in which to conduct the work. Required Application Materials Applicants should prepare the following materials: Completed application. Project statement of three to five pages. Research bibliography. Letter of invitation from a U.S. host institution, preferably. Correspondence with U.S. institutions, if available. Curriculum vitae of up to six pages. Three letters of recommendation. Scanned copy of the passport biodata page. All documents should follow the programme’s specified formatting and submission requirements. How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility

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