The Embassy of the United States in Azerbaijan is pleased to announce the Fulbright Non-Degree Visiting Researcher Program for Doctoral Students competition for the 2023-2024 academic year. This program enables Azerbaijani active PhD students to conduct one academic year of guided thesis research at an American university. Grants last 6 to 9 months, and PhD students from any field can apply.
Participants are selected through an open, merit-based competition. This prestigious award covers tuition and fees at a U.S. university, a monthly living stipend, health insurance, and international airfare.
Eligibility requirements
- Applicants must be citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan and/or be permanent resident qualified to hold a valid Azerbaijani passport. Permanent U.S. residents and persons with dual (Azerbaijan and U.S.) citizenship are ineligible. Applicants must reside in Azerbaijan.
- Applicants must hold at least a master’s degree and must be enrolled in a PhD program at an Azerbaijani university.
- Applicants must be proficient in oral and written English (selected candidates will take TOEFL test during the selection process).
- Applicants must be eligible for a J-1 visa, which requires the grantee return to Azerbaijan for a minimum of two years at the end of the grant period.
- Applicants already studying in the U.S. are ineligible for a Fulbright grant.
General Selection Criteria
- Academic credentials
- Significance and feasibility of the proposed research
- Utility of undertaking the project in the United States
- Plans for sharing the research findings
- Adaptability and personal suitability
- Preference is given to applicants who have not had a prior opportunity to study in the United States.
All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.
Selection Procedures
- Applications are subject to pre-screening.
- Applicants recommended by reviewers are invited for an interview conducted in person in English by a selection committee comprised of Embassy representatives, U.S. and Azerbaijani scholars, and Fulbright alumni.
- Nominees are subject to final approval by the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.
How to apply:
Completed applications must include:
- Online application at: https://apply.iie.org/ffsp2023 [ instructions for completing the application can be found here ];
- Three (3) Letters of Reference (can be submitted online by instructors, professors or work supervisors);
- Detailed project statements of proposed activity for research/lecturing in the U.S.
- Detailed Curriculum Vitae (resume)
- Academic transcripts/diplomas (certified translation into English or verified copies of original academic transcript and degree certificate – scanned and attached to the application);
- Official English translation of certificate for the current academic status (scanned and attached to the application);
- Valid results from the U.S. standardized test – TOEFL – if the applicant has taken this test in the past two years. Please note that Embassy organize the taking of the required tests for the selected candidates; and
- Letter of invitation from a preferred U.S. host Institution (if available)
- Copy of passport.
Please scan all the above-mentioned documents and upload to your online application.
Please note that all items should be translated into English.
Nominated candidates will have to submit a copy of their original academic transcript bearing all official, notarized stamps to U.S. Embassy Baku.
Application Deadline: May 31, 2022 (11:59 pm)
Link to the application: https://apply.iie.org/ffsp2023
Any application submitted to the United States or elsewhere, separate from the official system noted above, will not be considered.
For additional information about the Fulbright Scholarship, please, attend an in-person info session at Baku American Center on May 5th at 7 pm at Baku American Center, Azerbaijan University of Languages (Rashid Behbudov, 134) or email to bakuEducation@state.gov