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.

Zimbabwe

Open Study/Research Award

Accepted Degree Levels
  • 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 Zimbabwe aims to promote collaboration and robust research while strengthening educational and cultural relationships between the United States and Zimbabwe. The program provides the opportunity for academically mature students to complete independent research projects in Zimbabwe through (up to) 9 months of grant support.

The program requires affiliation with a higher education or research institution in Zimbabwe, as well as a well-thought out research plan in any field of study.  

During their time in Zimbabwe, Fulbright U.S. students are expected to interact with their Zimbabwean counterparts, share best practices and collaborate on research where possible. Grantees must report their project progress to the U.S. Embassy on a quarterly basis, and should consider themselves part of the ongoing U.S. Embassy program.

Grant Length
6-9 Months
Grant Period
Flexible Start

Zimbabwean universities run on the American semester system - August/September being the start of the new academic calendar. Fulbright grants will begin between October 2025 and March 2026, subject to the approval of the U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe. 

Orientation
Pre-Departure and In-Country Orientation

As a condition of their grants, all grantees may be required to participate in a Pre-Departure Orientation during the summer of 2025. The U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe will provide security briefings and welcome meetings.

Candidate Profile

We encourage applicants from diverse academic backgrounds to apply. 

What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?

The U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe oversees the Fulbright country program. The Embassy also participates in pre-departure orientation activities, during which it shares information on housing, transportation, and amenities. Upon arrival, the Embassy receives students and provides country briefing meetings. Zimbabwe often experiences water and power shortages, however, the Embassy supports students in finding accomodation where these services are available. The Fulbright stipend supports students to live in safe, clean, and secure communities.

Zimbabweans are a welcoming people and it is easy to make friends and connect with local communities. Zimbabweans who studied in the U.S. are eager to connect with Fulbrighters, and the Embassy can connect Fulbright students with this community. Depending on the student's interests, the Embassy will connect Fulbrighters with different communities. Zimbabwean weather is great for outdoor activities, so the current Fulbrighters have joined hiking, running and fitness clubs, where they meet with diverse groups of people. The Embassy also provides Fulbrighters with information on cultural activities, in and around Zimbabwe. Fulbrighters are invited to participate in 4th of July activitiies as well as other Embassy activities. 

Lastly, although public transport is unrealiable, there are affordable, safe, and reliable taxi services. 

Eligibility
Residency in host country permitted in year prior to grant
Dual citizens of this country are eligible
Degree Level of Applicant
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Foreign Language Proficiency
Not Required

Although English is the official language, Shona, Ndebele, or other local languages may be needed for research conducted in rural areas. Researchers who wish to use questionnaires will need to translate the survey questions into Shona and Ndebele. There are several affordable translations services, including host institution support.

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

Foreign researchers in Zimbabwe must conduct their research through an affiliation with a host university or research institution. Candidates must therefore affiliate with local universities and research institutions. The U.S. Embassy may advise candidates on institutions that match their research interests. Applicants without affiliation letters are welcome to reach out to the U.S. Embassy during their application and we are happy to introduce them to potential hosts. 

Some prospective host institutions include:

Harare Institute of Technology

University of Zimbabwe

Women's University in Africa

Africa University 

National University of Science and Technology 

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

Most academic institutions may charge host affiliation fees. Grantees planning to take courses should therefore ask their host institutions about fees and similar requirements before making any financial commitments. Grantees wanting to carry out research will be required to pay US$500 for a national research permit and other affilitation fees of up to US$1,500, depending on the type of research and affilitation 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.

3,750 monthly stipend amount in
$ [US Dollar]

The monthly stipend will cover accomodations, food, local transportation, and attendance at limited cultural activities.

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 websites linked here and here have useful, up-to-date cost of living information.

Dependents
Dependent financial support is available
Housing Arrangements

The U.S. Embassy recommends off-campus housing and will support the search process.

Fulbright Program Management Contact
FBstudent.AF@iie.org
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
https://zw.usembassy.gov
Research Clearance

Applicants must familiarize themselves with the Research Council of Zimbabwe (RCZ) requirements for foreign scholars as all researchers must obtain RCZ approval/permit (US$500) prior to conducting their research.

Successful applicants must apply for research clearance with the Council before applying for the Temporary Employment Permit (TEP) with the Immigration Department.  Once the clearance has been granted, applicants should include the clearance certificate in the TEP application (also US$500). Applicants should ideally submit their applications for both clearances through the host institution at least three months before their intended arrival - as the approval process might require that amount of time. 

 After completing their research, grantees must file their research findings with the RCZ.

Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Tafadzwa Muzhandu: Muzhandutr@state.gov