Open Study/Research Fellowship
Program Overview
Fulbright Israel plans to award up to three grants to research students during the 2025/2026 academic year (starting October 2025).
This program is designed to give research students the opportunity for research advancement by utilizing local resources as well as gaining international experience. Grantees plan their own projects, which may include an independent library, archival or field research, consultations with local professors or a combination of such activities. Along with opportunities for research and engagement with local resources, this Fulbright Program offers invaluable opportunities to meet and work with the local professionals and experts of the host country, sharing daily life as well as professional and creative experiences.
Fulbright Israel awards are granted on the basis of academic excellence, the leadership promise of the applicant, and their potential to both advance knowledge and enhance mutual understanding between the peoples of the United States and Israel.
AWARD LENGTH
1 Academic Year
AWARD DATES
Grants may begin any time during the period from July 2025- May 2026, as agreed upon with the host institution.
LOCATIONS
Any accredited institution of higher education. For the complete list of such institutions, click here.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
ACTIVITY
Research
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
BA or Masters required
Grant Benefits
STIPEND
$26,800 living stipend
ESTIMATED TRAVEL AND RELOCATION ALLOWANCE
- Up to $1,200 reimbursement of airfare expenses
- Payment of tuition for course work for fellows other than PhD candidates
SPECIAL AWARD BENEFITS
- Limited accident and medical coverage for the grantee only.
- Mandatory attendance at Fulbright Israel-sponsored arrival orientation.
- Opportunities to participate in multiple cultural and academic events hosted throughout the year by Fulbright Israel.
Eligibility criteria
- U.S. citizenship (permanent residence is not sufficient)
- Sound physical and mental health: selected candidates are required to submit a Medical History and Examination Report before their grants can be finalized
- Holders of Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees may apply for post-graduate student fellowships. Those still engaged in Bachelor's degree studies at the time of application are eligible, if they will complete their studies and receive their degrees prior to the planned commencement date of their fellowships.
- Applicants who have not earned a Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent, but who have extensive professional study and/or experience in fields in which they wish to pursue a project, may be considered. In the creative and performing arts, four years of professional study and/or experience meets the basic eligibility requirement.
- Individuals already residing in Israel are not eligible to apply for a grant.
- Candidates who have already completed all the requirements for receipt of a doctoral degree by the application deadline are also not eligible to apply. For Postdoc fellowships in Israel, please check the available Fulbright scholar grants on the website.
- Candidates who have resided abroad for five or more consecutive years in the six-year period preceding the date of application. A period of nine months or more during a calendar year is considered a full year abroad.
- Employees and their immediate families (i.e. spouses and dependent children) of the U.S. Department of State and of public or private organizations under contract to the U.S. Department of State. In such cases, a one year wait period from termination is required.
- Applications involving travel, research, or study in the West Bank or Gaza will not be considered.
Additional Information
- In addition to being a prestigious academic exchange program, the Fulbright Program is designed to expand and strengthen relationships between the people of the United States and citizens of other nations and to promote international understanding and cooperation. To support this mission, Fulbright Scholars will be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host community, in addition to their primary activities.
- Each candidate is responsible for arranging their institutional affiliations in Israel independently, including the development of the program of work for the proposed visit through contacts with possible host institutions.
- Grants shall not authorize engagement in pastoral, missionary, or other professional religious activities.
- Grants shall not authorize engagement in activities for which a license to practice medicine or nursing is required.
- Applicants are required to disclose any prior convictions of a felony or a misdemeanor, including Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), but excluding minor traffic violations. FFSB regulations can be found here (Chapter 600/Section 626 Ineligibility Factors).
Prior conviction or current indictment for a felony may result in disqualification.
Applications should showcase a reasoned and well-explained research plan with stated goals and milestones for the following year and future.
It is highly recommended that a letter or letters of invitation be included as part of the Fulbright application. A formal hosting commitment, including the designation of the faculty member who will serve as the candidate’s adviser, must be received by USIEF from an eligible institution no later than February 28. 2025, when the Foundation will make its final decisions regarding the choice of candidates to whom fellowships will be offered.
- Note: Recipients of a Fulbright Scholar grant are eligible to apply for another Fulbright Scholar grant two years after the date of completion of the previous grant. (For serial or Flex grants, the two-year period begins at the end of the final grant in the series.)
Evaluation criteria
- Academic excellence is the primary criterion for the evaluation of candidates.
- Leadership qualities are an important evaluation criterion.
- Preference will be given to applicants who have not had substantial, recent experience Israel.
- Hebrew/Arabic language proficiency is not an evaluation criteria.
- Possession of skills required to promote mutual understanding between the United States and Israel is an important evaluation criterion.
Applicants might be invited for a Zoom interview with a Fulbright commission.
The Foundation reserves the exclusive right to determine, within the framework of applicable law and regulations, the qualitative standards for the evaluation of applications forwarded to it by the responsible agency in the United States. The Foundation is not under any obligation to provide the reasons for its decisions regarding the allocation of Fellowships.
Please note: Candidates who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States will be given preference, provided their qualifications are approximately equivalent to those of other candidates.
FAQ
Will I be at a disadvantage if I have studied previously in Israel?
Yes. While applicants who have had a previous Israel experience may receive awards, preference will be given to applicants without such experience.
May my spouse apply for a Fulbright grant at the same time that I apply?
Yes.
