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.

Jamaica

2 Open Study/Research Award

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

Grants are typically 10 months in length. 

Grant Length
10 Months
Grant Period
Flexible Start

Grant Length: 10 months.

Most grantees choose to begin in the fall (September-October), as that is when the academic calendar begins in Jamaica, but the start date is flexible. The last possible start date is March 31, 2026.

Orientation
Pre-Departure Orientation

As a condition of the grant, all grantees to Jamaica are required to participate in the Pre-Departure Orientation (PDO) that takes place early to mid-summer. The PDO is organized by IIE and ECA, and is typically held in mid-June in the U.S. (this session may be virtual or in-person).

Candidate Profile

Candidates should proactively attempt to seek affiliations with a host institution or reputable local expert. A well-defined project proposal that has clear alignment with the Intra Country Strategic Goals (ICS Goals) of Mission Kingston is preferred but not mandatory. Candidates should also be open to learning new cultures and adjusting to the challenges that may come with doing research in under-resourced communities and institutions. Candidates should be open to collaborating with the Embassy on community outreach projects to either highlight the Fulbright Program and/or act as a cultural ambassador while in country.

What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?

Life for Fulbright grantees in Jamaica can be fun, adventurous, intellectually-stimulating and filled with opportunities for lifelong professional and personal relationships.  Jamaica is a popular destination for a few reasons. We encourage applicants to think of Jamaica as any big city or town.  Many resources are available for research but one may need to establish networks to have ease of access to these resources. Many of the goods and services you are accustomed to are available but some have complained about accessing certain familiar fruits and vegetables. Explore! Try local varieties and look out for seasonal favorites at bigger outlet stores. The exchange rate makes life and possible accomodations fairly nice in the safest areas, close to the capital city. Practice safety as you would in an unfamiliar, big city.

Eligibility
Residency in host country permitted in year prior to grant
Dual citizens of this country are eligible

Interesting proposals from all eligible applicants are welcomed. 

Degree Level of Applicant
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Foreign Language Proficiency
Not 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

Letter required for independent study or research at deadline. Applicants are responsible for arranging their own affiliation(s) with an academic institution, research facility, or other appropriate organization, and for submitting supporting documentation. Affiliation with the University of West Indies (UWI) is recommended and  as well other reputable local tertiary institutions will be considered with strong demonstration of academic and/or in-kind support from the institution.

Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Affiliation Fees/Tuition offered at discretion of host university/Award

The U.S. Embassy in Kingston cannot guarantee a tuition waiver or discount for grantees.  The financial crisis linked to the pandemic has adversely affected all local tertiary institutions.  Each such request must be managed indiviually and assessed by the proposed host institution..

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.

2,450 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.

3,000 in
$ [US Dollar]
  • Research/Materials allowance
  • Settling in allowance
  • USD 2,500 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.

https://livingcost.org/cost/jamaica/united-states

https://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/country/jamaica?currency=USD

Each site gives a relatively accurate sense of cost of living implications for Jamaica as compared to the USA. Food prices and rent are the biggest cost factors for grantees as well as research-related costs.

Dependents
Dependent financial support is available
Housing Arrangements

No housing arrangements are provided by affiliate host institutions, and grantees are responsible for identifying housing independently.  There is a thriving short term and medium term rental market. Relatively modern and new apartment options are widely available at various rates quoted in USD.  A number of respected and international realtors operate in Jamaica, so finding accomodations should be a simple process. Recent alumni can be a good source of housing recommendations.

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

When designing projects, applicants should be aware that random street crime and loosely organized gang-related crimes are a concern in some areas, and projects that may compromise safety are not advised. Most tourists are not affected by such violence in resort areas, but residing among the general population means considering overall safety of person and property.

Visas

There is no specific visa for Fulbright grantees to Jamaica. U.S. nationals participating in the Fulbright program are required to obtain a visa before arrival in Jamaica.  They are then required to do a process for extension of stay at the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency soon after arrival. 

Grantees are advised to start this process up to 5 months prior to intended arrival date to ensure one has the requisite visa in time for the grant period, which may not begin later than March 2026. Please visit the Jamaican Embassy website, see visas/visitors and under visa information, download visa application guidelines and application form.