Fulbright Open Study/Research Fellowships

Program Overview

Applications for 2025/26 will open on April 2, 2024.

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.

Grant Benefits

  • $26,800 living stipend.
  • Up to $1,200 reimbursement of airfare expenses
  • Payment of tuition for course work for fellows other than PhD candidates up to a maximum of $2,000 for the entire academic year
  • Limited health insurance for the grantee only

Eligibilty Criteria

  • Applicants must be U.S. citizens at the time of application (permanent resident status is not sufficient).
  • Individuals already residing in Israel are not eligible to apply for a grant.
  • 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. 
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Candidates must be in good health. All applicants selected for a Fulbright grant are required to submit a Medical History and Examination Report before their grants can be activated.
  • Prior conviction or current indictment for a felony may result in disqualification.
  • Applications involving travel, research, or study in the West Bank or Gaza will not be considered.
  • Candidates must be hosted by an accredited Israeli institution of higher education. For the complete list of such institutions, click here
  • Each candidate is responsible for arranging their institutional affiliations in Israel independently, including identification of a faculty member willing to serve as an adviser.
  • 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 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.
  • Candidates who have resided abroad for five or more consecutive years in the six-year period preceding the date of application are ineligible. In this case, a period of nine months or more during a calendar year is considered to constitute a full year abroad.

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.

Application Procedures

Applicants must apply to the university parallel to the Fulbright scholarship application submission. Please follow the universities timeline while submitting your application to Fulbright.

At-large applicants (i.e., those not currently enrolled as students) must submit their applications directly to the Institute of International Education (IIE). 

Candidates currently enrolled as students at an institution of higher learning must submit their applications through their college/university. On-campus submission deadlines are usually in the first half of September. For full details regarding the on-campus application process, students should contact the Fulbright Program Adviser on their campuses. The names and contact details of campus Fulbright Program Advisers are listed on IIE’s website.

Timetable for 2025/2026

Application deadline October 08, 2024

National Screening Committee (NSC) timeline

November/December 2024

Frequently Asked Questions

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

For further information or inquiries, please contact: 
Assaf Levinton
phone: 03-5213804
e-mail: [email protected]

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