Estonia
2 Open Study/Research Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodFall StartGrant Length9 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
Program goal: to strengthen educational and cultural relationships between the United States and Estonia.
General benefits: host country-supported fieldwork and research in culture, economic integration, religion, society and politics, science and technology, ecological and environmental issues, public health, human rights, law and security, and education as well as arts, both performance and fine arts.
Excellent opportunities exist for the study of Estonian language, literature, and culture.
Grant Length
Grant Period
The grant period will be September to June.
Orientation
All grantees are required to attend a pre-departure orientation in June or July as a condition of their grant. The virtual event is organized by IIE.
An in-country orientation is arranged by the Embassy for all grantees upon arrival to Estonia.
Candidate Profile
Well-qualified candidates at all degree levels will be considered. Candidates must be mature, self-motivated individuals who are capable of working independently. Applications will be considered in all fields except medical science involving patient contact.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Estonia is a small Northern European country that has embraced new technologies and has seen tremendous development since regaining independence in 1991. The country may be best known as the birthplace of Skype, but since then many other start-ups founded here have gone global like Bolt, Wise, and Pipedrive. Estonia’s vibrant and innovative start-up culture is part of the reason it ranks among the most wired and technologically advanced countries in the world and is a leader in promoting Internet freedom. Most recently, Estonia has become a leader in providing e-government services, online voting and is now even offering e-residency.
The capital city, Tallinn, was the European Green Capital in 2023. Tallinn’s medieval Old Town is brimming with charm and is full of restaurants, cafes, and cultural activities. Estonia’s belief in free speech contributes to its high freedom of press rankings. In 2023, Reporters Without Borders put the country 8th in its World Press Freedom index. In 2024, university city Tartu is the European Capital of Culture.
Estonia has six public universities--all of which are home and host institutions to Fulbright participants. Additionally, Estonia has one private university, five private professional education institutions, and eight state professional education institutions. Interesting insight into Estonia is provided in this privately published online magazine. More about the higher education structure in Estonia can be found at the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research page.
The academic year runs from September through June with January and June usually being reserved for examinations; there is also a two-week winter holiday. There are ample opportunities for engagements throughout the country via the U.S. Embassy’s American Spaces program, and EducationUSA Advising Centre at the Tallinn University of Technology.
Eligibility
3 Months
Applicants proposing projects in the medical sciences involving patient contact are not eligible for consideration.
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
Foreign Language Proficiency
Additional Information: Estonian language proficiency is not required unless necessary for the successful completion of the project. Supervision by English-speaking professors is widely available, as are classes taught in English. Some opportunities also exist for Russian speakers. Some study of Estonian prior to arrival is encouraged to promote deeper engagement with the host community.
Fulbright Proposal Types
Yes
No
Affiliation
Letter required for independent study or research at deadline
Applicants are required to arrange affiliations and submit letters of invitation/affiliation with their application. Please contact Jane Susi in the Public Diplomacy Section at the U.S. Embassy for advice and networking contacts.
There are six public universities in Estonia, the three largest are University of Tartu (UT); Tallinn University; and Tallinn University of Technology. These institutions also have specialized branch institutions in other Estonian cities, for example, Viljandi Academy of Culture of University of Tartu, located in Viljandi, and University of Tartu Narva College in Narva. For more information, please check the homepages of the above-mentioned institutions. There are also three smaller, specialized universities: University of Life Sciences in Tartu; Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre in Tallinn; and Estonian Academy of Arts in Tallinn. All these universities have well-developed international student service systems.
Tartu is an historic university city (UT was founded in 1632); Tallinn is Estonia’s cultural and political capital; both provide students with a wealth of research possibilities and community outreach options. Students wishing to enroll in classes, aside from their primary research activities, must make appropriate prior arrangements with their host institution. Please note that the decision to grant access lies fully with the host institution and might be for a fee not covered by the Fulbright grant.
Affiliation Fees/Tuition
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.
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.
- Research/Materials allowance
- Settling in allowance
The one-time allowances total includes allowances for round trip international airfare, settling in expenses, and research.
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
Students can use the following website as a resource to research the estimated cost of living in various parts of Estonia: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Estonia
Dependents
Housing Arrangements
Grantees are expected to arrange their own housing.
Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Visa Requirements
To obtain legal residency in Estonia, all applicants need to be ready to secure a D-type visa through the Estonian Embassy/Consulate prior to embarking on the program in Estonia. The application needs to be coordinated with the host institution in Estonia to obtain necessary paperwork on behalf of the hosts. Students need to apply for the D-type visa for the length of their stay. The host institution would need to confirm the legal status of the candidate as student to be eligible for the visa.
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Additional Online Resources
Visit Estonia: https://www.visitestonia.com/en/why-estonia/estonia-facts
US Embassy Twitter: https://twitter.com/USEmbTallinn