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.

Guatemala

2 Open Study/Research Award

Accepted Degree Levels
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Grant Period
January Start
Grant Length
10 Months
Award Type
Open Study/Research
Award Profile

All applicants are required to demonstrate the relevance of their projects for the Fulbright Program's mandate, which is to enhance mutual understanding between the two countries. Proposals to conduct research in Guatemala either independently or as part of the candidate's current graduate program will be considered. 

Applications in all fields will be accepted. However, projects in Political Science, Social Science/Sociology and Economics, particularly those that deal with governance, economic development, and citizen security, are preferred. 

Grant Length
10 Months
Grant Period
January Start

10 months.

Candidates should plan to attend a mandatory arrival orientation and begin their assignments in Guatemala in January 2026.  Arrivals prior to January 10 are strongly discouraged and alternate start dates will not be considered except in the most extraordinary circumstances.

Orientation
Pre-Departure Orientation

As a condition of the grant, all grantees to Guatemala are required to participate in the Pre-Departure Orientation in the U.S.

Candidate Profile

Candidates should be open to new experiences and building relationships within small and often humble communities. Intermediate proficiency in Spanish is considered important in the selection of finalists. Applications from all degree levels are welcome.

What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?

Fulbrighters typically get very involved and volunteer in their communities. Many enjoy teaching English and participating in cultural events. It is also important that Fulbrighters to Guatemala be open-minded and feel comfortable dealing with potential bureaucracy within the host institution.

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: Higher level proficiency may be necessary depending on the requirements of the proposed project. Applicants should discuss plans for language study between the time of application and the commencement of the grant with the Language Self-Evaluation. A Foreign Language Evaluation by a college level Spanish language instructor is also required.

Fulbright Proposal Types
Independent Study/Research:
Yes
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
No
Affiliation
Independent Study/Research:
Letter required for independent study or research at deadline

Applicants are responsible for arranging their own affiliations with an academic institution, research facility, or another appropriate organization, and for submitting supporting documentation verifying the affiliation.

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.

1,850 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.

2,550 in
$ [US Dollar]
  • Research/Materials allowance
  • Settling in allowance
  • USD 2,050  base allowance to cover round-trip international travel, transit, excess baggage, settling-in expenses
  • USD 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.

Please visit this website to help estimate the cost of living, meals, and incidentals in different major cities in Guatemala. Significant differences can exist in smaller towns where costs tend to be lower.

Dependents
Dependent financial support is available
Housing Arrangements

Grantees are responsible for making their own housing arrangements. 

Fulbright Program Management Contact
FBstudent.WHA@iie.org
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
https://gt.usembassy.gov/
Specific Considerations

Because of the ongoing threat of violent crime, Guatemala is rated by the U.S. Department of State as "Level 3: Reconsider Travel." Applicants should clearly state in their research proposal that they have read and understand the safety and security information found on travel.state.gov.

Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Alejandro Gallardo: GallardoRA@state.gov