Nepal
1 Fulbright-Fogarty Public Health Fellowship Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodJuly StartGrant Length10 Months |
Award Type
Discipline-Specific Awards
Award Profile
The Fulbright-Fogarty Fellowships in Public Health are offered through a partnership between the Fulbright Program and the Fogarty International Center of the U.S. National Institutes of Health. These awards were established to promote the expansion of research in public health and clinical research in resource-limited settings.
Fulbright-Fogarty Fellowships carry the same benefits as the traditional Fulbright Study/Research grants to the host country. The Fogarty International Center, NIH, will provide support to the research training site and may provide orientation for the fellows at the NIH.
For more details on Fulbright-Fogarty Fellowships and application instructions, please review the ‘Type of Awards’ page: https://us.fulbrightonline.org/applicants/types-of-awards/fulbright-fogarty-fellowships-in-public-health
Grant Length
Grant Period
July Start, Mid-July through mid-May.
Orientation
Grantees must make their travel plans through the Fulbright Commission and should arrive in time to attend the mandatory mid-July orientation meetings in Kathmandu.
In addition, Fulbright-Fogarty Fellows will be required to participate in a Pre-Departure Orientation with NIH in July.
Candidate Profile
Must be enrolled in an accredited doctoral-level program (MD, PhD, DDS, or comparable degree from an accredited institution) in public health, government, business, design, engineering, education, medicine, nutrition, law, pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and nursing. Eligible doctoral degrees include, but are not limited to: DMD, DC, DO, DVM, OD, DPM, ScD, EngD, DrPH, DNSc, DPT, PharmD, ND, DSW, PsyD, JD and Doctorate of Philosophy in Nursing.
Health-professional students who wish to interrupt their studies for a year or more to engage in full-time research training before completing their formal training programs are also eligible.
By the start of the program year (July 2026), fellows must be an MD (and other professional degrees) student who has completed their 3rd year or a Ph.D. candidate who has completed their Master’s level requirements (i.e., post-qualifying exam).
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Applicants are expected to research their host country. Application materials should indicate a clear commitment to the host country community and a description of how you will engage with it.
Nepal offers a unique and transformative experience for Fulbrighters, blending its rich cultural heritage with a dynamic landscape of political and social change. In recent decades, the country has undergone significant transition, including the adoption of a federal constitution in 2015 that shifted key decision-making powers to provincial levels, empowering communities across its diverse regions.
With 40.33% of its population aged 16-40 (as per the 2011 Population and Housing Census), Nepal is a youthful nation ripe with potential. However, its educational infrastructure faces challenges that call for improvement, presenting important opportunities for teaching, research, and collaboration between U.S. and Nepalese institutions. While resources in Nepalese higher education may be modest compared to those in the U.S., Fulbrighters often find enthusiastic colleagues and motivated students eager to engage with contemporary global issues.
Success as a Fulbright grantee in Nepal requires patience, adaptability, a thirst for adventure, and a good sense of humor. These qualities help scholars navigate the cultural, logistical, and environmental nuances of living and working in this Himalayan nation.
Eligibility
6 Months
Degree Level of Applicant
- Doctoral
Special Application Instructions
All Fulbright-Fogarty applicants pursuing a placement in Nepal should select “Public Health” as the Field of Study in the Fulbright application.
Applicants proposing research involving human or animal subjects must ensure their projects comply with ethical guidelines:
Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval:
- Applicants should have their research vetted by the IRB at their home institutions.
- While IRB approval is not required at the time of application, selected grantees must obtain all necessary ethical clearances before beginning research involving human or animal subjects under a Fulbright award.
Health-Related Research in Nepal:
- Projects involving health-related research must be approved by the Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC), the sole Institutional Review Board in Nepal.
- Important: Health-related research projects cannot involve direct patient contact.
- Grantees should begin the NHRC approval process before arriving in Nepal and anticipate dedicating time to it at the start of their grant period.
Research in Restricted Areas:
Conducting research in government-designated restricted areas in Nepal requires special permits, which can be costly.
These costs are not covered by the Fulbright Commission, and applicants should be prepared to cover them independently.
Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) Form
If required, submission of the Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is mandatory, even if you have advanced skills or are a native speaker of the language. Failure to submit the required FLE form may impact your eligibility.
Proficiency in Nepali or another local language (e.g., Bhojpuri, Maithili, Newari, Tibetan) commensurate with the nature of the proposed project is recommended. Applicants without Nepali or relevant local language skills should include significant plans for language study in their proposals. Regardless of language ability, grantees may undertake language study while in country. An allowance for continued language learning is included in the grant.
Foreign Language Proficiency Level by Grant Start
If a Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is Required, applicants must have the following proficiency level by the start of the grant period. If a Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is Recommended, applicants are encouraged but not required to have the following level by the start of the grant period.
Fulbright Proposal Types
Yes
No
Affiliation
Applicants are required to obtain a letter of support from the site contact.
When emailing project contacts, please include all contacts and attach a current CV and a concise statement (less than 500 words) about your interest in the program (especially your primary research interest).
Past Affiliation Examples
1. Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences (KUSMS) (NPGH)
Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences (KUSMS) is an institution established in collaboration between Kathmandu University and Dhulikhel Hospital. The School of Medical Sciences is the largest school of Kathmandu University (KU) and is the leader in the field of health sciences education and research in Nepal. Every year it produces more than 1,000 medical doctors, 250 specialized doctors and other 1,000 health professionals in different fields
Primary Contact: Archana Shrestha, archana@kusms.edu.np
Website: https://kusms.edu.np/
Areas of Focus: Fellows would be expected to work with U.S. and Nepali mentor groups to develop an independent research project that could be integrated into one of the following projects or in a new area of interest:
Example project: Risk factors for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and the development of new devices for use in low-resource settings
2. Nepal Cleft and Burn Center; Kirtipur Hospital (NPGH)
The Nepal Cleft & Burn Center, a 16,000 square foot clinic in Kathmandu, opened in 2014. Since then, it has become the foremost teaching hospital for burns and cleft palette surgeries in Nepal.
Primary Contact:
· Dr. Barclay Stewart- barclays@uw.edu, University of Washington
· Dr. Shankar Rai- shankarrai1956@gmail.com
Website: https://nepalcleftandburncenter.org/
Areas of Focus: Treatment of trauma and burns
3. Tribhuvan University (UJMT)
Tribhuvan University (TU), established in 1959, is the first national institution of higher education in Nepal. The university governs five institutes: Institute of Medicine (IOM), Institute of Engineering (IOE), Institute of Science and Technology, Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, and Institute of Forestry. The IOM was established in 1972 to train and develop all levels of health manpower in the field of country. Since the initial phase of training of Health Assistants and Auxiliary Nurse Midwifes, the institute has grown over the years to become a pioneer and trendsetter in medical education in the country.
Primary Contacts:
William Checkley – wcheckl1@jhmi.edu
Arun Sharma – docarunsharma@hotmail.com
Areas of Focus: Respiratory Health, Pneumonia, Pediatrics
Example Project: The Brick Kiln project: The active Brick Kiln project aims to characterize the effects of brick kiln pollution, a neglected but serious occupational risk factor, on lung function and respiratory symptoms in brick kiln workers and family members in Bhaktapur, Nepal. We are also conducting lung imaging to identify radiographic abnormalities, and immunophenotyping to examine the immune system response. We are measuring personal exposures to brick kiln dust and smoke, ambient and household air pollutants, and tobacco smoke, and will be estimating biologically-relevant lifetime exposures.
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.
This stipend includes housing allowance.
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.
- Excess baggage fees
- Language training allowance
- Research/Materials allowance
- Settling in allowance
- Excess baggage fees: up to $400 (Re-imbursement basis)
- Language training allowance: up to $500 (Re-imbursement basis)
- Settling in allowance $400: (First month, lump sum)
- Incidental allowance for research/materials: $1200 (First month, lump sum)
Additional Grant Benefits
- Mid-year seminar
Enrichment Seminar
A Fulbright Enrichment Seminar is held in the fall to bring together all Fulbright grantees in Nepal. This event provides an opportunity to:
- Share research plans and receive feedback from peers.
Engage in discussions on topics of national and global significance.
Build meaningful connections with fellow Fulbrighters.
Participate in networking opportunities, insightful talks, and interactive forums.
South and Central Asia Fulbright Conference
Each year, the U.S.-India Educational Foundation hosts the South and Central Asia Fulbright Conference in India (typically in February or March). Funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, this conference brings together Fulbright U.S. Scholars and Student Researchers from across the SCA region.
Conference Highlights:
- Presentations of ongoing research and projects
- Networking with fellow scholars and researchers
- Sharing insights and experiences as part of the Fulbright community
- Financial assistance to attend the conference is provided as an exclusive Fulbright grant benefit.
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 in Nepal on average is 65% lower than the United States. Housing costs vary depending on location, size, and quality, starting from $250 per month for a room with kitchen and more for apartments or houses with amenities. For day-to-day expenses, $20-35 suffices if cooking at home. Dining out may cost $15-30 per meal at a good restaurant. Travel has been made easier due to the advent of ride apps such as Pathao and InDrive. Public transport is cheaper but congested. Researchers are advised to live near their research site or host institution to reduce commuting.
Dependents
Housing Arrangements
Grantees are required to secure their own accommodation.
Security Information
The Fulbright Commission in Nepal will carefully review all Fulbright proposals for feasibility and security concerns. Applicants must be flexible in response to changing conditions and grantees must comply with all security procedures set in place by the Commission in consultation with the U.S. Embassy in Nepal.