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Colombia
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.
During their grant period in Colombia, scholars may conduct research, teach graduate or undergraduate courses, participate in conferences and seminars, carry out fieldwork, and advise students or faculty members, among other activities. Projects that engage with communities beyond the host institution are of particular interest.
As part of their project proposal, candidates must specify the academic outcomes and products they expect to achieve during their grant period. The Fulbright Commission encourages candidates to highlight the contributions they hope to make to the host academic environment, institutional partners and broader society as a Fulbright U.S. Scholar.
Developing plans for building long-lasting connections with local counterparts and further promoting opportunities for exchange and academic mobility between U.S. and Colombian institutions will be highly valued in the selection process. Regardless of their award activity, all grantees are expected to lead at least one public conference related to their project or field of expertise during their grant period, enabling them to share their knowledge with the local community and foster connections with fellow researchers and scholars.
For the Teaching/Research load, the candidate define a ratio of grant activities according to their interests, project details, and previous agreements with the host institution. Therefore, there are no specific requirements related to minimum teaching hours or desired ratio of Teaching/Research activities.
Some awards may be co-funded by Colombian government institutions or local universities, as part of cooperation agreements with the Fulbright Commission. Upon notification of the finalist candidate and prior signing of the Terms and Conditions of Award, the Fulbright Commission will provide details of any additional guidelines based on the funding source, within the scope and timeframes outlined in the program application.
Any higher education institution, research center, NGO or public institution in Colombia.
Candidates applying for a single visit (3-to-6 months long) must propose a project timeline that ensures their grant activities are carried out between September 1, 2027, and June 30, 2028.
Alternatively, candidates applying under the Flex option can propose multiple grant segments between September 1, 2027, and June 30, 2029. However, the first segment of Flex grants must be completed by June 30, 2028.
Within these parameters, grantees may select the most suitable grant dates based on their availability and previous arrangements with the host institution in Colombia. A schedule of the grant activities should be included in the project statement.
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 grants allow the grantee to split into multiple in-country visits. The minimum length of any grant segment is one month (30 calendar days) and the maximum length is three months (90 calendar days). Two or three segments may be spread across one or two consecutive academic years.
The candidate can choose the dates for each grant segment to take place between September 1, 2027, and June 30, 2029. Please note that the first grant segment must be completed before June 30, 2028.
All candidates applying for a flex grant must specify the expected dates for each segment of the grant in their applications.
IMPORTANT: For migratory purposes, the Fulbright Commission recommends that the total duration of a Flex award should not exceed five (5) months within a single calendar year.
This award is open to all fields of study.
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
Applicants must submit an invitation letter signed by the director of the department, academic unit, institute, or research center interested in hosting the candidate, or alternatively, signed by the professor or researcher who is interested in working with the candidate in the proposed project, provided that this invitation has been approved by the department director or dean.
Securing a letter of invitation is an essential step in the application process for this award. Applicants are encouraged to contact potential host institutions in Colombia as early as possible, given that response times will vary depending on the Colombian institution’s internal procedures and policies.
If you need assistance in identifying host institutions in Colombia, in the link below, you will find a list of recommended Higher Education Institutions and Research Centers in Colombia with relevant academic and contact information: click here.
In case of any specific questions or inquiries on how to contact potential host institutions in Colombia, please reach out to Luisa Fernanda Orozco, Inbound Mobility Officer at the Fulbright Commission in Colombia: lforozco@fulbright.edu.co.
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 must 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.
Intermediate or higher Spanish proficiency is recommended to help facilitate the scholar’s successful academic performance and interaction with Colombian counterparts, local populations, and other relevant stakeholders. However, the language requirements vary as required by the specific grant activity.
Please note that all applicants must submit the language proficiency evaluations, regardless of proficiency level, except for applicants claiming native-level Spanish proficiency. Candidates with basic (novice) or limited Spanish language skills will be considered if the host institution does not require a fluent Spanish speaker, and according to the proposed grant activities. In such cases, the language flexibility must be mentioned in the invitation letter provided by the Colombian host institution.
Inquiries about the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program in Colombia may be directed to Luisa Fernanda Orozco, Inbound Mobility Officer at the Fulbright Commission in Colombia: lforozco@fulbright.edu.co.
For more information about the U.S. Scholar Program in Colombia and to learn about the experience of former grantees, please visit our website.
The scholar will receive a monthly stipend of US $3,700 to cover all expenses in Colombia, including settling-in maintenance, housing, and materials during the grant period.*
No additional allowance is provided for scholars traveling with dependents.
*Final grant amounts will be determined prior to the start of the 2027-2028 academic year and are subject to availability of funds. The United States Department of State and the Fulbright Commission in the host country reserve the right to alter, without notice, participating countries, number of awards and allowances.
Along with the first stipend payment, the grantee will receive a USD 1,500 allowance to cover economy-class round-trip international airfare.
Included in the stipend amount.
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, Haiti, 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 in the host country on their Fulbright grant. Scholars who apply for the Flex award are ineligible for the Regional Travel Program. Additional information can be found at the Regional Travel Program website.
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 and the Fulbright Commission in the host country reserve the right to alter, without notice, participating countries, number of awards and allowances.
Colombia
About Colombia
Located in the northwest corner of South America, Colombia has a rich and complex geography that is shaped by three exuberant branches of the Andes mountain range system and lined by both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. With more than 50 million citizens, Colombia has the second-largest population in South America and is Latin America’s oldest and most stable democracy. Colombia is a free market economy with major commercial and investment ties to countries around the world, including the United States.
In the last five years, Colombia has established itself as one of the most innovative economies in Latin America. The country’s natural diversity is comparable to its rich cultural heritage reflecting the origins of its people. This makes Colombian food, music, dance, and art greatly diverse and unique.
Colombia is a paradigmatic example of a middle-income economy, while still significantly reliant on fossil fuels for national revenue, is actively advancing policies to transition toward a carbon-neutral, circular, and biodiversity-centered economy which could become a replicable example for other developing countries. Colombia's diversity-–eco-systemic, economic, social, and cultural– offers an engaging setting for research projects that seek to find solutions to the largest global challenges of our times. This evolving landscape—combined with Colombia’s rich territorial plurality, institutional openness, and pressing development challenges—creates a fertile environment for applied research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and high-impact scholarly engagement across multiple fields.
Colombia as a Strategic Partner
Colombia has positioned itself as an emerging leader in Latin America across several strategic academic and innovation domains. In the area of artificial intelligence and technology, the country approved CONPES 4144 in February 2025, a National Council for Economic and Social Policy (CONPES) public policy document, which establishes the National Artificial Intelligence Policy. This policy outlines a COP 479 billion (USD 115.9 million) public investment through 2030 and is structured around six strategic pillars, including ethics and governance, data infrastructure, research and innovation, and digital talent development. The government launched the "ColombIA Inteligente" 2025 call, offering up to USD 401,000 per project to fund AI and quantum science solutions for regional challenges, with an 18-month implementation period. This positions Colombia as an attractive partner for U.S. scholars interested in applied AI research with territorial impact. In biotechnology and bioeconomy, Colombia leverages its position as the second most biodiverse country in the world, with the 2018 Green Growth Policy setting targets to increase bio-innovative companies by 86%, spin-offs and start-ups by 180%, and production by bio companies by 19% by 2030.
Likewise, and as another opportunity for the country, in business internationalization and value chain integration, Colombia has made significant strides through the "Colombia, the Country of Beauty" campaign, which achieved USD 14.7 billion in foreign direct investment through 512 projects across 25 departments, creating over 306,000 projected jobs. The country has developed strategic tools including the One-Stop Investment Window (VUI), the Foreign Direct Investment Facilitation Service (SIED), and the SIED Committee to streamline foreign investment processes. With free trade agreements with multiple countries and tax treaties with Spain, Chile, Mexico, Canada, Switzerland, South Korea, Japan, India, and the United Kingdom, Colombia serves as a gateway for companies seeking to integrate into Latin American and global value chains.
A Remarkable Location for Biodiversity, Transformative Energy Innovation and Bioeconomy
Colombia has always been a preferred destination for students and scholars from around the world conducting research or interested in biodiversity and sustainable development. As the third most biodiverse country in the world, Colombia opens numerous possibilities for academic visitors to expand their knowledge. Colombia houses an unparalleled diversity of natural environments ranging from plains and deserts to high mountains, snowy peaks, Amazonian jungle, and Pacific and Caribbean coastlines— each with its own set of unique fauna and flora. Thus, it provides the perfect context for adventurous scholars aiming to engage in research on distinct ecologies and establish networks with local communities.
As the fourth-largest economy in Latin America with a population of 52.7 million and projected to be the third fastest-growing economy in the region in 2025, Colombia is strategically positioned to lead transformative innovation at the regional and global levels. The country's unique advantage lies in being the second most biodiverse nation worldwide, with its Plan de Acción de Biodiversidad al 2030 receiving international recognition through the 2025 NBSAP Medal for setting ambitious, measurable goals backed by science and local knowledge.
On the other hand, Colombia's energy transition represents significant opportunities for technological advancement and economic growth. The government has launched five strategic research and innovation initiatives with an investment of approximately COP $131.2 billion (USD $31.7 million), supporting 87 projects across 13 departments focused on non-conventional renewable energy sources and decarbonization. The country ranked 35th globally in the Energy Transition Index and is projected to add 2,550 MW of renewable energy capacity in 2025, equivalent to powering 6.8 million Colombians.
The bioeconomy sector is rapidly emerging as a major economic driver, with the national goal of bioeconomy representing 3% of GDP. According to Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development (2025), Bioexpo 2025 showcased 445 green businesses, while ProColombia's Business Matchmaking event connected 35 international buyers and 80 Colombian exporters in sectors including natural ingredients, cosmetics, agroindustry, and biotechnology. With 7,472 identified useful plant species, Colombia offers unique opportunities for innovation in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food technology, and sustainable materials generating tangible results within the framework of its Green Growth Policy (Conpes 3934). This convergence of biodiversity, advanced technologies, and strategic positioning creates unprecedented opportunities for research collaboration, technology transfer, and business development that can improve economic conditions while advancing alternative energy solutions and sustainable development models applicable globally.
Colombia’s Current Opportunities and Government Agenda
Beyond the areas of bioeconomy, energy transition, biodiversity, and artificial intelligence previously discussed, Colombia's government is creating remarkable opportunities for academic collaboration by focusing on the building blocks of a modern economy: digital infrastructure that connects people, automation technologies that boost productivity, and international investment that brings both capital and expertise. These aren't just policy priorities, they're transforming how Colombians live, work, and compete in the global marketplace.
Developments in digital connectivity are particularly noteworthy. Colombia has articulated an ambitious national objective to expand internet access to 85% of the population by 2026, and measurable progress toward this goal is already evident. By early 2025, the country had reached 9.34 million fixed broadband connections and 49.1 million mobile internet users, resulting in approximately 92% of the population having access to the internet.
This expanding digital infrastructure isn't just about getting people online, it's enabling a fundamental shift in how Colombian businesses operate. Through its "Colombia PotencIA Digital" strategy, the government is investing USD $470 million between 2024 and 2026 to help companies embrace artificial intelligence, automation, and advanced manufacturing. These advances in connectivity and automation are making Colombia increasingly attractive to international investors looking beyond traditional mining and oil. In the second quarter of 2025 alone, Colombia attracted USD $3.4 billion in foreign direct investment, significantly more than the previous year.
This convergence of better internet access, smarter factories, and growing international investment creates rich territory for researchers and academics to explore, but more importantly, it presents Colombia with a genuine opportunity to become a more developed, equitable society where prosperity reaches beyond capital cities and coastal zones. The real measure of success won't be found in connectivity statistics or investment figures, but in whether a rural teacher in Chocó can access the same educational resources as one in Bogotá, whether a small coffee producer in Huila can use digital tools to connect directly with international buyers and capture more value from their harvest. This is the meaningful work that transcends statistics and speaks to the fundamental promise of development: creating a country where everyone can live with dignity, opportunity, and hope.
A Diversified and Connected System of Higher Education
In recent years, Colombia has made education a top priority in the country’s economic and social development and has invested more resources in this sector than in any other area. Colombia has made great efforts to offer inclusive and high-quality education for all by implementing policies that increase school hours for children, ensure access to education for younger children, and strengthen the transition into higher education.
Colombia has a growing and diverse higher education system, composed of 305 active higher education institutions offering over 16,870 academic programs with Qualified Registry across all levels of tertiary education. The system includes 483 active doctoral programs concentrated primarily in Bogotá, Antioquia, and Valle del Cauca. Of these institutions, 92 count with Institutional High-Quality Accreditation, while approximately 1,900 programs hold High-Quality Accreditation, representing excellence in academic quality. Colombian higher education institutions have been innovating their programs and procedures to attract more foreign scholars and students. The National Ministry of Education and its allies, MinCiencias and ICETEX, have invested heavily in advancing the installed capacities of Colombia's higher education system to improve the research and teaching on their campuses.
Furthermore, the nationwide networks “Colombia Challenge your Knowledge” (CCYK), which is led by the top universities in the country, and Red Colombiana para la Internacionalización, RCI have been analyzing and implementing the best internationalization practices in order to attract more international visitors.
According to the Plan Nacional Decenal de Educación (2016 - 2026), the current government is working towards an education system that promotes the social and economic development of the country, and the construction of a society based on the recognition of differences. It is also important to note that this plan seeks to enhance the quality of education by looking first into the social and economic aspects of how education is provided to identify and attend to the needs of the population eager to ample their knowledge in different regions of Colombia.
Colombia’s Bet on Science, Technology and Innovation
New partnerships between Colombian and U.S. universities have been cemented in recent years, many of them funded by Colombia Científica. As the flagship Colombian governmental initiative to promote internationalization, science, and research in the country, Colombia Científica has coordinated efforts with the productive sector and world-class institutions.
This inter-institutional initiative, supported by the World Bank, has gathered 148 stakeholders participating in eight Scientific Ecosystems in the following strategic focus areas: bio-economics, health, sustainable energy, food, and society. More than 1100 products have been developed in the framework of this alliance, including patents, prototypes, bioprocessing facilities, industrial design registrations, and spin-offs, among others.
The Territorial Ecosystems of Science, Technology, and Innovation (CT&I, by its acronym in Spanish), established by MinCiencias, also provides a framework for development in the different regions of Colombia. By integrating the regions' specific needs into strategic investment projects, competitive production areas, and development initiatives, the Department Councils of CT&I have played a key role in the alignment of regional initiatives and national goals and policies of science, technology, and innovation.
Over the last decade, Colombia's research capacity extends beyond urban centers through strategic collaboration networks that connect local challenges with global expertise. The landmark Colombia Científica program (2017-2023) united 39 domestic universities with 56 international institutions from 20 countries, engaging over 1,200 researchers and training 1,081 students and faculty in addressing critical areas from cancer treatments using native plants to sustainable energy solutions
For U.S. scholars, Colombia offers a unique combination: cutting-edge technological initiatives in AI and quantum computing, a thriving startup ecosystem with real-world applications, world-class biodiversity for biotechnology research, and a demonstrated commitment to using science and innovation to address pressing social challenges including peacebuilding, food security, and climate adaptation, all within a framework that prioritizes international collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Fulbright U.S. Scholars in Colombia
Since 1958, more than 224 researchers and experts have conducted academic activities in different cities of Colombia, as part of the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program. Based on their feedback and comments, the following recommendations can facilitate future U.S. scholars’ adaptation process and overall experience in the country:
- Grantees traveling with dependents are advised to opt for placement in large or medium-sized cities to ensure they have access to a more diversified set of options for housing, schooling, and health-provision services, according to their needs and preferences.
- The host institution and local partners can be of great help to U.S. grantees to better prepare for their experience and cultural adaptation. Selected grantees are encouraged to discuss issues related to the local context, lifestyle, and culture with their host institutions in the months before their arrival to better manage their expectations and gain a deeper understanding of everyday life in their city of placement. Along these lines, scholars are also encouraged to reach out to the International Office of their host institution, which can provide insightful specific orientation and additional resources.
- Maintaining close communication with the assigned Program Officer and alumni mentor (if applicable) will allow the Fulbright Commission to provide assistance and orientation on time, and identify specific issues or situations in which the grantees may require specific additional accompaniment and help.
- Plan any in-country trips. Please note that all domestic and international travel during the grant period in Colombia, including fieldwork trips, must be approved by the Fulbright Commission.
- Potential candidates can find additional information and recommendations about safety and security, health, housing, and how to prepare for living in Colombia in the Orientation Handbook for U.S. grantees available at: https://fulbright.edu.co/en/u-s-scholar-program/.
Fulbright in Colombia
The Fulbright Commission in Colombia has made determined efforts aimed to enhance diversity, decentralization, and access to its portfolio of opportunities for graduate studies, research, teaching, and English teaching. Broadening the geographical presence of U.S. grantees in the country has been critical to achieving these objectives.
The extent of Fulbright Programs for U.S. participants in the country has been possible thanks to the significant contributions from Colombian partners such as ICETEX, the National Ministry of Education, MinCiencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Universidad del Valle, Universidad de los Andes, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Universidad de Antioquia, Universidad del Norte, Universidad del Rosario, and Universidad EAFIT among others.
To learn more about Colombia as a travel destination, visit http://www.colombia.co/.
If you are interested in the experience of previous U.S. Scholars in the country, please visit the Fulbright Commission’s website and follow the Fulbright Commission’s official accounts on social networks.
For questions related to the U.S. Scholar Program in Colombia, please contact Luisa Fernanda Orozco, Inbound Mobility Officer at Fulbright Colombia: lforozco@fulbright.edu.co.
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.
Grantees with dual U.S. and Colombian nationality are required by Colombian law to enter the country on a Colombian passport.