Grants for Graduate Students

For U.S. citizens who hold a BA degree

Apply here

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Elite educational institutions in Bulgaria

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Up to 10 months of scientific research

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No Bulgarian language skills required

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All areas of study except clinical medicine and dentistry

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Annual competitions

About the program

The Fulbright U.S. Student Award offers an opportunity for U.S. citizens holding at least a BA to conduct individually designed research, engage in civic initiatives or develop their talents in Bulgaria. MA/PhD candidates, young professionals and artists are encouraged to apply. Candidates do not need to currently be enrolled in a graduate program to be eligible.

All grantees get

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Monthly stipend

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Travel expenses to and from Bulgaria

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Opportunity to study Bulgarian

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Educational and cultural program during their stay in Bulgaria

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Conduct research in little known areas and regions

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Networking opportunities with top experts

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Career growth prospects

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Fulbright study / research award

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program provides open grants for individually designed study/research projects. Up to three awards per academic year are open to students at graduate degree level to conduct research in Bulgaria. Awards are for 10 months.

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Grants normally begin in September, but alternative timeline can be discussed with the Bulgarian Fulbright Commission if the project requires it. Students may be affiliated with institutions of higher education, government institutions, non-governmental organizations, research institutions or think-tanks, cultural institutions, public organizations, media. If courses are available in the relevant field at Bulgarian academic institutions, the Bulgarian-American Fulbright Commission may cover tuition fees upon approval by the Commission Board.

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Fulbright Bulgaria-Romania Joint Research Award

The joint award with the Romanian Fulbright Commission allows students to engage in comparative trans-regional research and/or study. This joint award is open to candidates at all degree levels.

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Up to 1 award per academic year is open to candidates at all degree levels, but preference is given to Master’s and Ph.D. candidates. Applications will be considered in fields related to Bulgaria and Romania, especially: European studies, East European studies, Balkan studies, Black Sea studies, history, political science, social sciences, classical studies, archaeology and the arts. The award is for 10 months – with 5 months spent in each country. Applicants may select which country to visit first, depending on the needs of their project.

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Fulbright Bulgaria-Greece Joint Research Award

The joint award with the Greek Fulbright Commission allows students to engage in comparative trans-regional research and/or study. This joint award is open to candidates at all degree levels.

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Up to one award per academic year is open to candidates at all degree levels, but preference is given to Master’s and Ph.D. candidates. Applications will be considered in all fields, with special emphasis on the following disciplines related to Bulgaria and Greece: archaeology, history and art history (Antique, Byzantine, Ottoman and contemporary), Balkan studies, trans-border/emigration studies, economics, tourism (including eco- and agro-tourism), preservation of cultural heritage, political science, social sciences, classical studies, and the arts. The award is for 9 months, with 4 months spent in Greece and 5 months spent in Bulgaria. Applicants may select which country to visit first, depending on the needs of their project.

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Fulbright Study / Research Grant in Archaeology / History

The intent of this special grant is to support research in areas related to both Balkan archaeology and museum and heritage studies. It is a result of the Bulgarian-American Fulbright Commission’s partnership with the Balkan Heritage Foundation (BHF), an NGO whose mission is to support the study, preservation, management and promotion of cultural and historical (both tangible and intangible) heritage of South-eastern Europe as necessary preconditions for sustainable development of the region. Grantees can spend up to 10 months in Bulgaria working on individual research. They will be supervised and supported by an English-speaking academic supervisor and will have the opportunity to take part in an archaeological field school.

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Grantees arrive in Bulgaria in August/September. Depending on their field of research they will either start or finish their program with attendance to one of the relevant archaeological field schools by Balkan Heritage Foundation (www.bhfieldschool.org). The BHF field schools combine lectures on Bulgaria’s history and cultural heritage, archaeological excavations, conservation workshops and study trips to important historic and archaeological sites and museums. The field school is to supplement the student’s individual research and provide valuable hands-on experience. The Fulbright program will support the student with access to museums, libraries and specialists in the research field. If appropriate to the research plan, the student could take one university course (at a Bulgarian university) to further broaden his or her knowledge and to provide the student with an academic community. At the end of the academic year, the student shall be expected to produce a publishable paper or conference presentation on the research topic. Knowledge of Bulgarian is not required.

For this grant, well-qualified candidates will be considered at all degree levels (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral), but preference is given to Master’s and Ph.D. candidates. Applicants should have an interest and background in archaeology, anthropology, history, art history, preservation of cultural heritage, museum studies and other directly related fields. Previous experience in Bulgaria and the region is not considered a disadvantage.

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Eligibility

Applicants must be U.S. citizens at the time of application. Permanent residents are not eligible.

Applicants must have a conferred bachelor’s degree or the equivalent before the start of the grant.

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Grants shall not authorize activity for which a license to practice medicine or nursing is required. The Fulbright Program cannot authorize proposals for medical research that involves clinical training, patient care or patient contact.
Previous experience in the region is not considered a disadvantage.

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Candidate profile

Well-qualified candidates will be considered at all degree levels (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral) and in all fields. Preference is usually given to those who have not previously held a Fulbright grant. However, those who may have held an English Teaching …

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…Assistant Program may apply for a study/research grant, provided that at least 2 years have elapsed from the end of their ETA period, and they continue to meet all other eligibility requirements. Previous experience in the region is not considered a disadvantage. Ability to conduct independent, unstructured research with minimal oversight is crucial.

For the Bulgarian-Romanian Fulbright Grant, candidates at all degree levels are accepted, but preference is given to Master’s and Ph.D. candidates. Applications will be considered in fields related to Bulgaria and Romania, especially: European studies, East European studies, Balkan studies, Black Sea studies, political science, social sciences, classical studies, and the arts.

For the Bulgarian-Greek Fulbright Grant, candidates at all degree levels are accepted, but preference is given to Master’s and Ph.D. candidates. Applications will be considered in all fields, with special emphasis on the following disciplines related to Bulgaria and Greece: archeology, history and art history (Antique, Byzantine, Ottoman and contemporary), Balkan studies, trans-border/emigration studies, economics, tourism (including eco- and agro-tourism), preservation of cultural heritage, political science, social sciences, classical studies, and the arts.

For the Grant in Archaeology/History, candidates will be considered at all degree levels (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral), but preference is given to Master’s and Ph.D. candidates. Applicants should have an interest and background in archaeology, anthropology, history, art history, preservation of cultural heritage and other directly related fields.

Bulgarian language proficiency should be commensurate with the proposed project. The Bulgarian-American Fulbright Commission provides a one-time allowance of USD 500 (USD 250 for the joint grants) for Bulgarian language training during the grant period.

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Assignment and affiliation

Applicants are encouraged to arrange affiliation and submit letters of invitation. If an invitation is not available, they may indicate preferences for affiliation in their application. The Fulbright Commission can assist in establishing contacts at prospective host institutions…

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The Fulbright Commission can assist in establishing contacts at prospective host institutions and coordinates final assignments. Affiliation is acceptable with academic and research institutions, NGOs, media, libraries, museums, and cultural institutions, governmental organizations.

For the Study/Research Grant in Archaeology/History, grantees will be affiliated with the Balkan Heritage Foundation (BHF), an NGO whose mission is to support the study, preservation, management and promotion of cultural and historical (both tangible and intangible) heritage of South-eastern Europe as necessary preconditions for sustainable development of the region.

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Application

US students interested in applying for a Fulbright grant to Bulgaria should visit www.us.fulbrightonline.org for detailed description, guidelines and the actual application form (application must be submitted online).

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Grant benefits

Monthly stipend – $ 1 200 per month
Travel and relocation allowance to cover round-trip international travel
Research, book and incidentals allowance
Bulgarian language training allowance
Health benefit plan for grantees only

The basic amount of the Fulbright grant is not increased for accompanying dependents.

Country Description

A mountainous country of seven million people located in the heart of the Balkan Peninsula, Bulgaria boasts a rich archaeological heritage and vibrant artistic culture, including its unique folk music and dance traditions as well as contemporary literary and performance practices. Thanks to its striking natural landscape, rich agricultural roots, and four-season climate, Bulgaria is an increasingly popular destination for outdoor and culinary tourism. Bulgaria also has a strong ICT and start-up sector, based primarily in Sofia, and some Bulgarian companies have started receiving international recognition for their innovations.

Bulgaria has a relatively homogenous majority population of Slavic-speakers who traditionally identify as Orthodox Christian; however, the country is also home to Turkish and Roma communities and has a sizeable Muslim minority (more than 10%). While Bulgarians are known for their warm hospitality, some communities may hold conservative views and may not have extensive experience interacting with foreigners. Younger Bulgarians often have solid levels of English-language competence thanks to access to digital and online resources, while older generations, who had limited access to English instruction under communism, may have studied Russian, German or French instead.

Since the fall of communism in 1989, Bulgaria has been a parliamentary democracy, joining the EU in 2007. Although Bulgaria has the lowest standard of living in the EU and struggles with challenges such as emigration/brain-drain and rule-of-law issues, the country has nevertheless generally been politically and economically stable. All applicants are urged to consult the most recent State Department Country Report on Human Rights Practices, which offers the most exhaustive and up-to-date description of political, social and cultural trends in Bulgaria. 