All Disciplines
Chile
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.
This award aims to strengthen research collaboration and expand academic exchange between Chile and the United States by actively promoting the placement of U.S. Scholars at various Chilean institutions. This program seeks to host Scholars who will undertake activities focused on teaching and/or research in diverse areas of interest, aligning with the current challenges facing both Chile and the United States.
The award seeks to provide U.S. Scholars with the opportunity to conduct teaching and/or research activities at available Chilean institutions; strengthen the linkage between U.S. Scholars and Chilean academics/researchers across Chile to address shared bilateral challenges, and foster collaboration between U.S. and Chilean academics and researchers within diverse and strategic fields of mutual interest.
This award supports U.S. scholars and scientists for research and/or teaching stays of three to four months at various Chilean institutions to develop joint projects with academics and researchers.
Applicants are encouraged to contact the Fulbright Commission in Chile at becas@fulbright.cl for additional information and guidance, if needed.
The exact dates and duration of each visit will be determined jointly by the U.S. scholar and the Chilean host institution.
Placements are expected at accredited Chilean universities and research centers across the country. Hosts' invitations must confirm their support and the feasibility of the U.S. Scholar's proposed project.
If, before or during the application process, assistance in identifying an appropriate host institution for your research is needed, you may request support by writing to becas@fulbright.cl
Three to four months. Grants may begin in August 2027, September 2027, March 2028, April 2028 or May 2028.
Chile provides exceptional opportunities for scholars across diverse fields, supported by strong institutions, advanced research environments, and a culture of academic collaboration. All proposals must align closely with research agendas led by the Chilean and U.S. governments.
Science and Technology
Chile hosts globally recognized research centers and cutting-edge facilities across astronomy, Antarctic studies, environmental sciences, engineering, and technology. Scholars can access world-class observatories, including some of the most advanced optical and radio telescopes on the planet, enabling pioneering work in astrophysics, cosmology, and planetary sciences under some of the clearest skies on Earth.
In the natural sciences, Chile’s extensive coastline and the Humboldt Current offer unmatched conditions for research in marine biology, oceanography, and climate science. Scholars working in biodiversity, conservation, and sustainability will find rich ecosystems from the Atacama Desert to Patagonian fjords, supported by strong national priorities in environmental stewardship and renewable energy.
Social Sciences, Humanities, and Education
Chile’s universities and research institutes offer outstanding opportunities to explore social dynamics, historical processes, cultural traditions, and the diverse communities that shape the country. Researchers in anthropology, archaeology, history, and related fields can engage with established academic teams, public institutions, and local partners on projects that contribute to a deeper understanding of Chile’s past and present.
In education research, Chile’s strong network of universities, ministries, and research centers provides fertile ground for collaboration in areas such as curriculum development, educational leadership, teaching practices, student achievement, and innovation in learning environments.
Digital Innovation and Emerging Fields
Chile offers a dynamic environment for research in computer science, data science, artificial intelligence, and digital innovation. Several institutions across the country are advancing cutting-edge work in these fields, fostering collaboration between academic researchers, industry partners, and public agencies. Chile–U.S. cooperation has a strong track record, exemplified by the La Serena School for Data Science, which brings together scholars from both countries to work on real-world, data-driven challenges. This evolving ecosystem provides visiting researchers with meaningful opportunities to contribute to high-impact digital innovation.
Public Health and Social Impact
Chile’s robust public health system—characterized by strong national programs, active surveillance networks, and a wide network of primary care centers—offers meaningful opportunities for research in epidemiology, community health, mental health, food systems, and social determinants of well-being. Ongoing national priorities, such as strengthening preventive care, improving access to mental health services, and promoting healthy environments, create fertile ground for collaborative projects.
Scholars can engage with public agencies, universities, hospitals, and grassroots organizations that work directly with local communities on issues ranging from chronic disease prevention and aging populations to nutrition, and environmental health.
Important: The areas listed above represent some of the strongest fields in Chile; however, applications are not limited exclusively to these areas. A clear alignment between the applicant’s area of interest and the academic focus of the host institution is required.
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
Applicants are required to obtain a simple letter of intent from a representative of the partner institution in Chile. This letter does not imply a financial commitment but rather an explicit interest in working with the candidate. The letter should indicate a commitment to providing the Fulbright applicant, the proposed dates of the stay, the name of the collaborating department/center, and a brief description of the Scholar's proposed teaching and/or research activities, aligning with the project outlined in the Fulbright application.
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.
Working knowledge of Spanish is desired but not required, depending on host needs.
USD $3,500 per month for the scholar only. There are no additional benefits for dependents.
USD $2,000 international travel allowance for the scholar only.
Scholars can estimate the cost of living, meals, and incidentals in different cities in Chile using publicly available cost-comparison tools. One useful resource is Expatistan, which provides updated cost-of-living data for Santiago and other Chilean cities:
https://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/country/chile
Please note that costs may vary significantly in smaller towns, where prices tend to be lower overall.
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.
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.
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.
Chile
Chile: A Leading Destination for Research, Innovation, and Cultural Exchange
Chile offers U.S. Scholars a unique opportunity to conduct impactful research within one of Latin America’s most dynamic and academically robust environments. Home to 19 million people and stretching over 4,300 kilometers, the country combines exceptional geographic diversity, strong democratic institutions, and a vibrant scientific community that consistently ranks among the most productive in the region.
A Premier Research Ecosystem Across Disciplines
Chile offers a uniquely compelling environment for U.S. Scholars seeking high-impact research opportunities, characterized by sustained public investment in science, internationally recognized research infrastructure, and unparalleled natural laboratories. Over the past two decades, Chile has consolidated a robust national research ecosystem through competitive public funding instruments, long-term international partnerships, and a strong commitment to scientific diplomacy.
The country is a global leader in Astronomy and Earth Sciences, hosting some of the world’s most advanced optical and radio observatories, including ALMA, the Vera Rubin Telescope, the Very Large Telescope (VLT), and the upcoming Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) and Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT).
Chile’s extraordinary geographical diversity, from the hyper-arid Atacama Desert to the Patagonian ice fields and fjords, and along more than 4,000 kilometers of coastline shaped by the Humboldt Current, supports cutting-edge research in biodiversity, oceanography, and biology. Chile also serves as a key gateway to Antarctica, hosting major international Antarctic research programs and logistics platforms, which enable strategic research in glaciology, climate systems, marine ecosystems, and geopolitics of polar science.
Chile offers a comprehensive and mature research ecosystem that spans the full spectrum of knowledge areas, positioning the country as a strategic hub for interdisciplinary and internationally relevant scholarship. Its strengths range from STEM fields, such as engineering, digital innovation, data science, artificial intelligence, astronomy, and environmental sciences, to public health, social policy, education, and the humanities. This breadth is supported by a solid public research infrastructure, nationally funded centers of excellence, access to high-quality data and registries, and a strong tradition of collaboration among academia, government, industry, and civil society. Chile’s openness to international cooperation, including long-standing Chile–U.S. academic partnerships, further enhances opportunities for knowledge exchange and applied research with global impact.
These strengths are anchored by Chile’s leading universities, including Universidad de Chile, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Universidad de Concepción, among others, which are consistently ranked among the top institutions in Latin America. These universities host prestigious research centers and laboratories, attract significant public and competitive funding, and maintain robust international networks. Together they provide U.S. Scholars with high-level academic counterparts, strong institutional support, and an intellectually dynamic environment conducive to advanced research, teaching, and meaningful engagement across all areas of knowledge.
Cultural Immersion and Engagement Beyond the Lab
Chile offers U.S. Scholars meaningful opportunities for cultural immersion that extend well beyond the academic sphere, fostering engagement with a dynamic intellectual, artistic, and civic landscape. The country hosts some of Latin America’s most influential forums for public dialogue on science, culture, and society, including Congreso Futuro and Puerto de Ideas, which bring together leading scientists, thinkers, writers, and artists from around the world. These platforms reflect Chile’s strong commitment to science communication, public engagement, and the integration of knowledge into public life.
At the same time, Chile’s rich cultural heritage and vibrant arts scene provide scholars with deep insights into the country’s social fabric. From internationally renowned events such as Santiago a Mil, the largest theater festival in Latin America, to longstanding cultural traditions like the Festival de La Tirana, Chile offers living expressions of cultural continuity and diversity. This richness is further reflected in its museums, literary legacy, regional identities, and Indigenous cultures, from Rapa Nui to the communities of the north and south, offering a uniquely layered context that enriches research and engagement across disciplines.
Living in Chile: Practical Considerations
Daily life in Chile is generally safe and accessible, with reliable urban transportation, quality healthcare, and broad access to essential services. Scholars consistently highlight the warmth of local communities and the ease of adapting to daily life. Chile’s modern infrastructure, particularly in major cities, supports a comfortable stay, while its diverse geography and cultural richness offer opportunities for exploration far beyond academic work.
Internet connectivity is widely available, and U.S. scholars will find that most daily needs can be met with ease. As with any international experience, preparing for local norms, seasonal variations, and basic health considerations helps ensure a smooth transition. Chile’s strong public health system and well-established services contribute to a safe and enriching environment, allowing scholars to fully focus on their academic, cultural, and personal growth throughout their stay.
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.
Applicants are encouraged to contact the Fulbright Commission in Chile at becas@fulbright.cl before applying, if needed.