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.

Senegal

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 Senegal aims to strengthen educational and cultural relationships between the United States and Senegal.  

Fields of study that relate to Senegal’s economic development are strongly encouraged. Opportunities are available for study in a number of areas including agriculture, art, business, Senegalese/West African culture, development studies, economics, environmental studies/natural sciences, government, history, Islamic studies, law, literature, media studies, medicine, political science, sociology, and research on TEFL/TESL.

Grant Length
6-9 Months
Grant Period
Flexible Start

Fulbright grants begin between October 2025 and March 2026, subject to the approval of the U.S. Embassy in Dakar.

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.

Candidate Profile

Candidates need to be flexible and mature in order to handle the challenges that are often a part of conducting independent research.

What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?

Senegal is an "easy to live in" country because of the welcoming atmosphere. People are warm and helpful. Fulbrighters can live peacefully in Senegal. 

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
Foreign Language Proficiency
Required - Intermediate

Additional Information: French language proficiency is necessary, not only for the development of the proposed project, but also in order to settle in easily and communicate on a daily basis. Higher level proficiency may be necessary depending on the requirements of the proposed project. Study of Wolof or another Senegalese language is strongly recommended for in-depth research.

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 institution, research facility, or other appropriate institution. It is strongly recommended that applicants identify appropriate host institutions for their projects and that they include affiliation letters with their Fulbright applications.

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

3,000 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.

The cost of living in Dakar has become increasingly expensive over the last decade. Please review this website for further information and context.

Dependents
Dependent financial support is available
Fulbright Program Management Contact
FBstudent.AF@iie.org
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
https://sn.usembassy.gov
Field of Study Restrictions

Projects dealing with secession/border conflict studies, and Casamance separatist studies particularly, are prohibited due to safety concerns. The U.S. Embassy is unable to approve some projects involving fieldwork in the Casamance region at this time.  Research with medical implications involving human subjects is also discouraged, as a lengthy clearance process with the Ministry of Health is required. Subjects related to LGBTQ are very sensitive in Senegal, studies and researches on the subject are discouraged.

Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Program Manager: Diakhatefk@state.gov
Cultural Affairs Officer: arnessvl@state.gov