Fulbright Scholar Award

All Disciplines

Malawi

Application Deadline
closed
Award Code
25072-MW
Activity Type
Professional Project
The Professional Project activity type provides professionals and artists in various fields the opportunity to interact with relevant organizations abroad to explore a topic related to their field without answering a defined research question. Professional Projects may include: professional consultations; artist residencies; visits to organizations in the applicant's field; practical experience in day-to-day operations; public lectures; mentoring; arranging exhibitions, performances or musical compilations; preparation of print materials (books, articles, or reviews); exchange of expertise with other professionals; participation in public events; or other appropriate professional activities.
Teaching
Teaching includes classroom teaching, as well as giving guest lectures, workshops, and seminars, and engaging in other related activities. Classroom teaching is typically at the undergraduate and graduate level, and courses may be designed by the scholar or prescribed by the host institution and may be taught or co-taught by the scholar. The teaching load varies by award, as well as the host institution. Scholars may also consult on building research capacity, advise graduate students, and assist with thesis advising.
Teaching/Research
A combination of teaching and research as described above. Refer to the award description for any specifications on percentages of time that should be devoted to teaching vs research.
Degree Requirements
Ph.D. (or other terminal degree) required
Career Profile
Early Career Academics
Awards are open to those who have been working in the capacity of a teacher or scholar for no more than seven years.
Mid-Career Academics
Awards are open to those who have been working in the capacity of a teacher or scholar for more than seven, and less than 13, years.
Professionals
Awards are open to individuals who have more than seven years of experience in a particular profession.
Senior Academics
Awards are open to those who have been working in the capacity of a teacher or scholar for more than 13 years.

Number of recipients

Up To
5
Award Start Period
January 2026
Award Length
5 months, or 6 months, or 7 months, or 8 months, or 9 months, or 10 months
Flex Option
No
Multi-Country/Area Award
No
Disciplines
Projects are sought in all disciplines
Scholars selected for this award can choose to
Advise and/or mentor students
Assist in faculty, curriculum, and/or program development
Teach graduate and/or undergraduate courses designated by the host institution
Teach graduate and/or undergraduate courses of the applicant’s choosing
Conduct a professional and/or artistic project

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.

Award Activity

Teach undergraduate or graduate courses in any discipline taught at the host universities. Assist with student advising and curriculum development. Conduct research in area of specialization (research must be combined with a teaching component). Conduct a professional project. 

Locations
Location Selection: Applicant may propose an appropriate host
Award Length and Period

Grants may begin in or after January 2026 in accordance with the host institution's schedule.

Areas of Interest

Applications in all disciplines are sought, but applications in the following disciplines are especially encouraged:

Business/Entrepreneurship
Education/Curriculum formation
Macroeconomics
Medical Sciences
Nursing 
Nutrition
Public Health
Public Policy
University Administration

All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).

Citizenship/Residency Requirement
Not applicable – all U.S. citizens are eligible to apply, regardless of dual citizenship or residency.
Invitation Requirement
A letter of invitation is preferred.
Invitation Requirement Additional Information

The letter of invitation is preferred to ensure that the Scholar and host institution have officially agreed to commence the grant. 

Language Proficiency Requirements
None, English is sufficient
Additional Language Requirement

All teaching will be in English; proficiency in another language is not required. Scholars intending to conduct research in remote areas are encouraged to learn basic Chichewa to maximize effectiveness of their research.

Additional Qualification Information

Scholars with at least two years of postdoctoral university or college teaching experience are preferred.

Additional Comments

Candidates are encouraged to correspond directly with potential host institutions to determine if their disciplines and specializations are of interest. 

Researcher and Professional Project Monthly Allowances
$5970
$5970
Teaching or Teaching/Research Award Monthly Allowances
$6740
$6960
Estimated Travel and Relocation Allowance for Grantee

Round-trip, economy-class, international travel arranged by travel agent designated by IIE, for scholar and up to two accompanying dependents. A $2,850 allowance will be provided to cover the costs associated with relocation and excess baggage. 

Estimated Book and Research Allowance

$1,000 books and educational materials allowance; if possible, educational materials should be donated to the host institution (or other entity) upon grantee's departure. (For Teaching and Teaching/Research awards only.) 

Do you offer additional dependent benefits
Yes

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.

Additional living and housing allowance is provided for grantees with one accompanying dependent or two or more accompanying dependent. These amounts range from $200/month to $500/month. 

In addition, round-trip, economy class travel is provided for up to two dependents. 

Dependent education allowance up to $12,500 per child or $25,000 per family for accompanying dependents in grades K-12 is reimbursed for a full academic year, upon submission of receipts, and depending on funding availability. Amount may be adjusted for shorter grant periods. Reimbursement is based on actual cost of tuition and fees only. 

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.

Special Award Benefits

When university housing is provided to Fulbright Scholars, grantees will receive a supplemental housing allowance in lieu of a full housing allowance for refurbishments, utilities, and other miscellaneous expenses that arise. The full housing allowance will not be provided to grantees if they elect to decline on-campus or university housing.

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.

Malawi

What is life like for Fulbrighters in your country?

The academic calendar consists of three terms: September to December, January to March, and April to July. English language schools for accompanying dependent school-age children include the Sir Harry Johnston Primary School in Zomba, St. Andrews Primary and High Schools and the Hillview Primary School (Limbe) in Blantyre, the Bishop Mackenzie International School (K-12) in Lilongwe, the Kamuzu Academy near Kasungu and the African Bible College Elementary School and High School in Lilongwe. 

Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.