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Bolivia
Number of recipients
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 may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host community, in addition to their primary activities.
Teaching and teaching/research scholars are expected to conduct seminars, advise on university curriculum, or provide other assistance as requested by the host institution. All scholars may be asked to deliver occasional public lectures.
Any appropriate institution of higher education or an organization aligned with the theme of the proposal.
- Three to six months for non-Flex programs.
- Four to six months for Flex Scholars only. Please see the Flex Description section, below, for additional information.
- Grants may begin in August 2027 or later.
- All Scholars to Bolivia are required to attend a pre-departure orientation, which typically takes place in early to mid-July, prior to beginning their Fulbright grant.
The Flex Award is designed for scholars who require multiple visits to the host country. This option allows grants to be conducted over two or three short segments. Applicants must select Flex in the application form, and clearly describe their plans for Flex in their project statement, including a project timeline. Flex grantees may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host-country academic community.
Flex grant parameters:
• Minimum length of the total grant is four months and the maximum is six months.
• Minimum length for any grant segment is two months and the maximum is three months.
The Fulbright Scholar Program in Bolivia welcomes applications from all disciplines, with priority given to projects in key areas. Preferred fields include economic development and entrepreneurship, technological innovation (such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity), clean energy and responsible mineral use, modern agroindustry and food security, public health and biotechnology, and improvements in infrastructure and logistics. These focus areas support sustainable development, enhance competitiveness, and stronger U.S.-Bolivia relations.
This award stands out in Bolivia by offering flexible opportunities for professional and academic exchange. Participants can work with Bolivian organizations to design projects that address local needs and share expertise that strengthens institutions. The program supports creative approaches to teaching and research, helping scholars advance their work while building cross-cultural understanding. In short, the award fosters practical collaboration, professional development, and deeper ties between U.S. and Bolivian institutions.
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
Applicants are encouraged to consult the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) “Can-Do Statements” to determine if they are qualified.
Applicants are encouraged to register qualified language evaluator, such as a language instructor or a translator, to conduct the external assessment in the application. Being a native speaker alone does not qualify an individual to conduct the assessment.
Applicants who are native speakers do not need to complete an external evaluation.
As noted above, all applicants should complete the Language Proficiency Report: Self-Evaluation and are encouraged to register qualified language evaluator to complete the Language Proficiency Report: External Evaluation. Applicants without Spanish fluency should explicitly address in their project statement the feasibility of their project without being fluent in Spanish.
Awards are open to faculty with a minimum of three years of experience in their field or professionals with equivalent experience. Preference will be given to those who can build and strengthen linkages between U.S. and Bolivian institutions.
Applicants without contacts in Bolivia may contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance with affiliation. Inquiries may be directed to Marcelo R. Saldaña (SaldanaMR@state.gov)
$1,350 in addition to round-trip airfare coordinated through travel agency GBT.
For Flex grants, round-trip travel will be included for each segment of the grant for the scholar only. Dependent travel will not be provided for Flex scholars.
$1,000 books and educational materials allowance for teaching and teaching/research grants; these materials should be donated to the host institution or other entity upon grantee's departure.
$300 - $500 research allowance for research-only grants.
Additional living and housing allowance is provided for grantees with one accompanying dependent or two or more accompanying dependent. These amounts range from $300/month to $600/month.
Round-trip airfare is also provided for up to two eligible dependents and is coordinated through travel agency GBT. Dependent travel will not be provided for Flex scholars.
Dependents must accompany the grantee for at least 80% of the period abroad and a minimum of one semester in order to qualify for additional dependent benefits. Dependent benefits are not provided to Flex grantees.
Bolivia is often considered the least expensive country in South America. On average, the cost of living in Bolivia is about 50% lower than in the United States, while rent is, on average, 75% lower than in the United States. It is possible to find a good apartment for about $300 - $400 USD per month, depending on the city and the particular neighborhood. In cases where rent is negotiated in U.S. dollars, it is recommended that a rental agreement also clearly allow rent to be paid in Bolivianos at a fixed exchange rate.
Information on the following website can help scholars figure out the cost of living, meals, and incidentals in different capital cities in Bolivia. Please note that there can be significant differences between large cities and smaller towns: https://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/country/bolivia?currency=USD
The official exchange rate has remained stable in recent years at approximately 1 USD to 7 Bolivianos. However, ongoing inflation has increased the cost of goods and services, and the unofficial exchange rate has risen significantly above the official rate. This trend is expected to continue.
During their grant period, Fulbright U.S. Scholars in the Western Hemisphere (WHA) region may apply for a short-term regional travel grant for activities such as workshops, seminars, presentations, lectures, performances, exhibits, curricular advising and similar projects at institutions in eligible WHA countries. (Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados and Eastern Caribbean, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago and Uruguay).
The Regional Travel Program covers travel to and from the destination; lodging may be offered by the host institution. Scholars may only apply for this grant once they are in country on their Fulbright grant. Scholars who apply for the Flex award are ineligible for the Regional Travel Program. Additional information can be found on the Regional Travel Program website.
Please refer to the figures above for an estimate of total monthly Fulbright award benefits. Benefits may include a monthly base stipend, living and housing allowances, and additional one-time allowances. Benefits may vary based on a scholar's current academic rank (or professional equivalent), the city of placement, the type of award (teaching, teaching/research, or research), and the number of and duration of stay of accompanying dependents. Research-only or Professional Project grantees receive a standard stipend that is not adjusted for academic rank. In most cases, dependent benefits will not be provided to Flex grantees, or to grantees pursuing grants less than four months (or a semester) in length.
Final grant amounts will be determined prior to the start of the academic year and are subject to the availability of funds. The United States Department of State reserves the right to alter, without notice, participating countries, number of awards and allowances.
Bolivia
At the vibrant crossroads of South America, Bolivia offers Fulbright Scholars an unparalleled opportunity to immerse themselves in one of the continent’s most unique and culturally rich nations. From the lush Amazon Rainforest in the north to the celebrated wine regions of the south, Bolivia’s landscape is as varied as its people. Experience the energy of cosmopolitan cities, the traditions of ethnically diverse rural communities in the east, and the breathtaking Altiplano highlands in the west—home to iconic mountain lakes, ancient Inca ruins, the world-famous Uyuni salt flats, and some of the largest indigenous-majority cities in the Western Hemisphere. With seven UNESCO World Heritage sites and affordable, efficient domestic travel, Bolivia is a gateway to discovery and adventure.
2025 marked a historic moment for Bolivia, as the country celebrated the bicentennial of its independence and embarked on a new chapter following pivotal national elections. This is a unique time to engage with Bolivia’s evolving political, economic, and social landscape, making your Fulbright experience especially meaningful and impactful.
The Bolivian academic year runs from February to November, with a mid-year break from mid-June to mid-July, providing ample time for research, teaching, and collaboration. Fulbright awards in Bolivia are open to faculty with at least three years of experience, as well as professionals with equivalent expertise. We especially encourage applicants who are eager to build lasting partnerships and foster academic and professional linkages between U.S. and Bolivian institutions.
If you are seeking a dynamic, rewarding, and culturally immersive Fulbright experience, Bolivia offers a truly exceptional setting to advance your academic and professional goals that will make a lasting impact.
U.S. Student 2025 Yilan Batista, La Paz - Bolivia
“My experience as a research grantee for the Fulbright US Student Program in La Paz has been incredible. I am currently working with the Centro de Investigaciones Económicas y Empresariales at the Universidad Privada Boliviana, where I am studying the politics of Chinese and foreign investment in the nation’s lithium sector. Both my work and personal experience here has demonstrated the kindness of the people here in a way that has been truly heartwarming. The core part of my research is coordinating with policymakers, government ministries, and banking and mining executives to conduct interviews, and all of them have been been exceptionally warm and willing to engage with my research, in a way that exceeded my expectations for professional etiquette. My colleagues and friends here have also welcomed me and integrated me into their social fabric with a kindness that I’ve deeply appreciated. Throughout my spare time, I’ve been able to visit and participate in cultural sites and activities that have deepened my understanding of core values in Bolivian society. Having been interested in Bolivian culture and politics for a long time, being a Fulbright researcher in La Paz has been a very rewarding experience on both an academic and personal level.”
U.S. Student 2024 Douglas Gurdak, Sucre - Bolivia
“My experience as a grantee in the Fulbright U.S. Student Program in Bolivia exceeded my expectations. I had the amazing opportunity to work alongside faculty in the Instituto Chuquisaqueño de Oncología where I gained a deeper insight into the public cancer care system in Sucre, Bolivia. Not only did I have the opportunity to assist with organization and centralization of breast cancer patient records, but I got to learn first-hand from their breast cancer care team about both the challenges and benefits of practicing in the public sector. From a cultural standpoint, I met many lifelong friends from a variety of backgrounds with whom I had the chance to try a plethora of national dishes and attended many local festivals, including the famous entrada de la Virgen de Guadalupe. In my free time I likewise had the opportunity to attend events hosted by a youth-focused political organization that inspires young Bolivians to become more involved in politics and activism. From research to food to lifelong friends, my Fulbright Bolivia Experience was one that not only awarded me crucial professional and academic development but significantly deepened my cultural insight into the politics and experiences of Bolivia”
For a list of past Fulbright Scholars to Bolivia, visit the Alumni Directory here.
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.
Dual citizens with U.S. and Bolivian citizenship may be required to enter Bolivia on their Bolivian passports. Dual citizen applicants should check with the Bolivia Embassy or Consulate for the latest guidelines.