Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean
2 Open Study/Research Award
Accepted Degree Levels
|
Grant PeriodFlexible StartGrant Length10 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
For Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines all applicants will be considered, but master's and Ph.D. applicants may be given preference.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Most grantees choose to begin in the fall, but the start date is flexible between August 2026 and March 2027. The academic year begins in September.
Orientation
As a condition of the grant, all grantees to the Barbados & the Eastern Caribbean islands are required to attend a Pre-Departure Orientation in the United States. Details on this session will be communicated by the Fulbright Program Management Contact.
The U.S. Embassy requires that grantees contact the Fulbright staff contact at the Embassy once their grant has been confirmed to discuss their travel and receive country specific updates.
Candidate Profile
Required:
- Applicants must be proficient and experienced in the field proposed for award consideration.
- Applicants must demonstrate willingness to learn about new cultures and to serve as a cultural ambassador for the United States to the host country.
- Grant activities should allow for engagement with the wider community outside of the host institution.
- Applicants must have a well-defined research project.
- Applicants must demonstrate high levels of adaptability and maturity.
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.
Life in the Eastern Caribbean varies from country to country. The islands share a rich cultural heritage which is evidenced in their music, food and social interactions.
Based on the island that your project will be conducted in, you may be asked to apply for a permit in support of your intended duration of stay. Please ensure that you communicate with the Embassy prior to and during your project so that you have the most up to date guidance on actions that you need to take to comply with local regulations. The islands offer a different socio-cultural outlook to that of the United States, and as such grantees should take the time to understand these differences in order to enjoy a successful and enriching program. The climate on the islands is balanced between wet or dry seasons at various points during the year. Severe weather conditions occur annually from June to November which is the Atlantic Hurricane Season. Grantees are encouraged to fully and safely immerse themselves in the social and cultural activities of the islands that they conduct their projects in.
Eligibility
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
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.
English is the official language of all islands in the Eastern Caribbean.
Fulbright Proposal Types
Yes
No
Affiliation
Applicants are responsible for arranging their own affiliation(s) with academic institutions, research facilities, or other appropriate organizations, and they must submit supporting documentation at the time of application. If there is any doubt about the suitability of an organization, please contact the Fulbright staff contact at the U.S. Embassy.
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
- $2,700 base allowance to cover round-trip international travel, transit, excess baggage, settling-in expenses
- $1,500 Research 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.
Consider using this website to get a sense for the cost of living in Barbados and other Eastern Caribbean nations.
Dependents
Dependents include spouse and children of the applicant. Applicants are required to advise the host affiliate and the Embassy if they will be accompanied by dependents in order for any necessary considerations to be put in place. Dependents must accompany the grantee for at least 80% of the grant period to be eligible for financial support.
Housing Arrangements
Grantees are responsible for identifying and arranging their housing. Affiliate organizations and Fulbright alumni are excellent sources of guidance on housing options.
Visa Requirements
U.S. citizens do not require entry visas when traveling to any of the islands except in the case of Barbados, where U.S. grantees in the Fulbright Program must obtain a short-term work permit prior to their arrival on island. This work permit is for the duration of their grant program in Barbados. The grantee is responsible for obtaining the required work permit, but the U.S. Embassy will assist by providing the application form and confirmation of the items required as supporting documentation. The grant does not provide for expenses related to visa fees; any visa expenses will be born by the grantee.
For travel to all islands, grantees must have a valid passport and a round-trip ticket in order to be granted admittance by the immigration officer.