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.

Rwanda

Open Study/Research Award

Accepted Degree Levels
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Grant Period
Flexible Start
Grant Length
6-9 Months
Award Type
Open Study/Research
Award Profile

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program in Rwanda aims to strengthen educational and cultural relationships between the United States and Rwanda. Applicants selected for this award will conduct independent academic research at a host institution of their choice in Rwanda. 

Grant Length
6-9 Months
Grant Period
Flexible Start

Fulbright grants will begin between September 2025 and March 2026, subject to the approval of the U.S. Embassy in Kigali and confirmation of the host institution. Grantees are welcome to negotiate with their hosts the grant period that is most convenient.

Orientation
Pre-Departure Orientation

As a condition of their grants, all grantees may be required to participate in a Pre-Departure Orientation during the summer of 2025.

What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?

Rwanda is an underdeveloped country and the infrastructure in most cities is not comparable to the United States. Despite that, Fulbright grantees are able to find decent accommodation apartments, receive health care as needed, and other essential services.

Eligibility
Residency in host country permitted in year prior to grant
Dual citizens of this country are eligible
Degree Level of Applicant
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Special Application Instructions

There are no special instructiuon

Foreign Language Proficiency
Not Required

Additional Information: Kinyarwanda or French may be useful for certain projects.

Fulbright Proposal Types
Independent Study/Research:
Yes
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
No
Affiliation
Independent Study/Research:
Letter recommended but not required at deadline

It is the applicant's responsibility to secure affiliation with an educational or research institution. It is strongly recommended that applicants identify appropriate host institutions for their projects and that they include affiliation letters with their Fulbright applications. Obtaining research clearance from the National Council for Science and Technology (NCST) is nearly impossible if the grantee does not have affiliation with a local research institution. Affiliation is also needed for obtaining the long-term visa required of foreign researchers in Rwanda. 

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

Educational and research institutions do not currently charge fees for affiliation, but it is the Fulbright grantee's responsibility to double-check this with their selected host institutions.

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.

2,600 monthly stipend amount in
$ [US Dollar]
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.

3,550 in
$ [US Dollar]
  • Excess baggage fees
  • Research/Materials allowance
  • Settling in allowance
Estimated Cost of Living

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

Living costs may vary by location. Grantees staying in the capital - Kigali - will spend more than those in secondary cities. The average housing cost is $600 per month, although the price is cheaper in other cities.

The U.S. Embassy offers further details for selected candidates.

Dependents
Dependent financial support is available

A dependent is a legal child or spouse of the grantee. A partner with no marriage certificate will not be recognized by the host country, making it impossible to secure the dependent visa.

Housing Arrangements

Grantees are responsible for housing arrangement, but Post helps in exploring options upon arrival.

Fulbright Program Management Contact
FBstudent.AF@iie.org
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
https://rw.usembassy.gov/
Visas and Research Permits

Information on visas is available on the Rwanda Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration website. The National Council for Science and Technology (NCST) issues research permits. It is important to note that a long-term stay visa will not be approved for students who do not have a research permit. Detailed information on the research permit application is available here.

Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
U.S. Embassy Kigali, Public Diplomacy Section: Kigaliexchanges@state.gov