The 2025-2026 application is now closed. The 2026-2027 competition will open in Spring 2025.

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Current U.S. Student

United States citizens who are currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs are eligible to apply.If you are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a U.S. college or university, you will apply through that institution, even if you are not currently a resident there. Find the Fulbright Program Adviser on your campus.

U.S. Citizen but not a Student

If you are a U.S. citizen, will hold a bachelor’s degree by the award start date, and do not have a Ph.D. degree, then you are eligible to apply. Non-enrolled applicants should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Candidates with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

The Getting Started page will provide information on eligibility and next steps.

Artist

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program welcomes applications in the creative and performing arts. Arts candidates for the U.S. Student Program should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Artists with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

Creative & Performing Arts projects fall under the Study/Research grant category and are available in all countries where Study/Research grants are offered.

FPA

U.S. Professor/Administrator

If you are a U.S. citizen and a professor or administrator at a U.S. institution and are interested in applying for a Fulbright Scholar Award, you will need to apply through fulbrightscholars.org.

To support your students in applying for a U.S. Student Program award, please connect with the Fulbright Program Adviser at your institution.

Non U.S. Citizens

If you are a non-U.S. citizen interested in applying for a Fulbright Award to the United States, you will need to apply through the Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy in your home country. Find out more information on the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program or Fulbright Foreign Student Program.

Cyprus


2 Open Study/Research Award

Accepted Degree Levels
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Grant Period
September Start
Grant Length
9 Months
Award Type
Open Study/Research
Award Profile

The aim of the Study/Research Awards to Cyprus is to strengthen educational and cultural relations between the United States and Cyprus.  The Study/Research Award gives young U.S. scholars a unique opportunity to carry out research in numerous fields related to the country's historical past and dynamic present day political, economic, and cultural developments.  Applicants for study/research awards design their own projects and will typically work with academic advisers and professionals in Cypriot universities or research institutions.  

Grant Length
9 Months
Grant Period
September Start

The grant period is September 2025 through May 2026.

There will be a mandatory in-country orientation at the beginning of the grant period.

Grant Length: 9 months.

Orientation
Pre-Departure and In-Country Orientation

All grantees are required to attend a pre-departure orientation in June or July as a condition of their grant.  The event is organized by IIE, virtual or in-person. This is an excellent opportunity to meet fellow grantees as well as alumni of the Fulbright program to Cyprus.

The In-Country Orientation is typically held in mid-September once all grantees arrive to begin their grants.  Orientation is typically three-days and includes briefings by Consular, Regional Security, Political officers, and Public Affairs.  The orientation is also intended to assist grantees in applying for the required nine-month visa to Cyprus.

Candidate Profile

Candidates at all degree levels are accepted, but those conducting research for a Ph.D. are preferred. Applications will be considered from well-qualified students in all fields.  Applicants should have an excellent academic record and strong reference letters.  Proposed projects should be innovative, feasible in Cyprus, and fit into the candidate's previous academic training and future objectives.  Applicants should display an understanding of the political issues in the country; projects should be well planned and display appropriate knowledge of the country. 

Undergraduates/recent graduates proposing independent research must have the academic maturity, rigor, and depth of knowledge to work independently.  Applicants should articulate a clear plan for the outcome of their research.  Projects that involve research related to both Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities are encouraged.

What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?

Cyprus, an island in the eastern Mediterranean with an area of 3,572 square miles, is half the size of New Jersey and twice the size of Rhode Island.  It lies only 40 miles from Turkey at the nearest point, 500 miles southeast of mainland Greece, and 100 miles west of Syria.  With a culturally rich and historically complicated heritage spanning over 8,000 years, Cyprus is a fascinating country to conduct research both historical as well as modern.

At the present time, Cyprus is divided into two areas.  The Government of the Republic of Cyprus (ROC) controls the southern two-thirds of the island, which is populated largely by the Greek Cypriot community.  The ROC does not excercise effective control over the northern one-third of the island, which is administered by the Turkish Cypriots.  Between the two areas is a buffer zone, also called the "Green Line," which is patrolled by the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) and is a restricted travel area.  The Green Line runs through the center of Cyprus' capital, Nicosia, and is the only divided capital city in Europe.  However, despite the political division, the island is generally very peaceful and is often referred to as a point of stabilty in a sea of regional turmoil.  As of May 1, 2004, Cyprus became an official member state of the European Union.  Cypriot-led, UN-facilitated efforts to reunify the island continue and are supported by the United States.

Despite its location, Cyprus is in many ways oriented towards the West.  It has been a crossroads of diverse civiliations and cultures throughout its history, and as a member of the EU on its easternmost border, continues to be so.  Cypriots generally speak excellent English, are used to meeting people from other countries, and take interest and pleasure in associating with them.  Cyprus enjoys sunshine virtually year round.  Given the particular conditions that exist in Cyprus, grantees should be informed of the complicated political situation on the island when putting forward their proposals.  

Eligibility
Residency in host country NOT permitted in year prior to grant
Indicate how many months is considered residency:
12 Months
Dual citizens of this country are eligible
Degree Level of Applicant
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Foreign Language Proficiency
Recommended - Novice

Additional Information: No Greek or Turkish skills are required unless they are required to carry out your project.  However, although English is widely spoken, the official languages are Greek and Turkish, and there are areas where English is not widely known.  Some study of Greek or Turkish prior to arrival is encouraged in order to promote deeper engagement with the host community. Please be aware that the Cypriot dialect is quite different from mainland Greek and Turkish. Grantees should be familiar with the political situation in Cyprus and sensitivities between the two communities in planning their grant activities, even when the proposed research project may not seem to involve politics.

Fulbright Proposal Types
Independent Study/Research:
Yes
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
No
Affiliation
Independent Study/Research:
Letter required for independent study or research at deadline

Affiliations are a requirement for American researchers to successfully secure a researcher visa in Cyprus. Applicants are required to secure an affiliation with a host institution and include a letter of affiliation with their application. The Embassy can provide guidance, but the host institution must be approved by the local Research Promotion Foundation and thus be able to issue Hosting Agreements. The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, the Cyprus Institute, the Agricultural Research Institute (ARI), the Cyprus American Archaeological Research Institute (CAARI), the Cyprus Museum, the University of Cyprus, the Cyprus University of Technology, the Open University of Cyprus, and the University of Nicosia have all successfully served as hosts for grantees. 

Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Affiliation Fees/Tuition not covered in grant benefits

Tuition fees are not covered by this grant.

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.

1,800 monthly stipend amount in
$ [US Dollar]

$1,800 monthly stipend to cover living expenses

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.

4,570 in
$ [US Dollar]
  • Excess baggage fees
  • Registration/Permitting fees
  • Research/Materials allowance
  • Settling in allowance
  • Local transportation allowance

Base allowance (Travel/Transit/Excess Baggage/Settling-in), : $3,570

Research allowance: $500

Other (visa, entry permits, testing, etc.):  $500

Additional Grant Benefits

In-country support is provided through Post in Cyprus.

Estimated Cost of Living

Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.

Cost of living dependent upon city.

Dependents
Dependent financial support is NOT available
Housing Arrangements

Grantees are expected to make their own housing arrangements.  More information on securing accommodation is provided to grantees at the PDO and in communication with the Education and Exchanges Specialist upon receipt of award.

Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Dr. Sondra Sainsbury, Alumni, Education and Exchanges Specialist: FulbrightCy@state.gov