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Benin
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.
Teach undergraduate or graduate courses in any discipline taught at the host institution. Collaborate with faculty on staff training and curriculum development. Conduct research in the area of specialization, in addition to teaching responsibilities.
- University of Abomey-Calavi, in Calavi, a neighboring city to Cotonou
- African School of Economics, in Calavi, a neighboring city to Cotonou
- Catholic University of West Africa, in Cotonou
- University of Parakou, in Parakou, north of Benin
Correspond with the host institution to determine whether specializations are of interest.
University of Abomey-Calavi:
A. Lydia SOGNON
Administrative Assistant
In charge of American Cooperation
International Relations Division/International Cooperation Office/
University of Abomey-Calavi
(229) 96 12 63 43
lydia.sognon@uac.bj
lydiasognon@yahoo.fr
Please note that many faculties and institutes make up the university, including the National School of Applied Economics and Management. For teaching in physics, including pattern recognition and classification, remote sensing or Bayesian networks, the university's Institute of Mathematics and Physical Sciences is located in Porto Novo.
The African School of Economics/ASE – Benin:
Professor Leonard Wantchekon, CEO
Email: lwantchekon@gmail.com
Akassato, Abomey-Calavi
02 BP 372 Cotonou (Benin)
info@africanschoolofeconomics.com
Campus : (+229) 23 11 40 18
Administration : (+229) 21 36 38 73
Catholic University of West Africa, Cotonou:
Edoh Fokomlan Bedjra, Chancellor
Email: ucao_benin@yahoo.fr
Tel: (+229) 21 305 118
University of Parakou:
Email: univ-parakou@gmail.com Tel: +22923610712
OR
Dr. Mathias Azoua, Professor of Linguistics and Didactics, English Department Mathias.azoua@yahoo.fr Tel: 229 97601220
Grants may begin in September/October 2025 in accordance with the host institution's schedule.
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
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.
French language fluency is required for teaching in all fields except for American studies and linguistics. If planning to teach in English in the aforementioned fields, the required French proficiency is intermediate. Some French proficiency is useful for daily living.
Scholars with at least seven years of postdoctoral university or college teaching experience are preferred.
You may be asked to participate in an interview as part of the in-country selection process.
Round-trip, economy-class, international travel arranged by travel agent designated by IIE, for scholar and up to two accompanying dependents. A $2,050 allowance will be provided to cover the costs associated with relocation and excess baggage.
$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)
Additional living and housing allowance is provided for grantees with one accompanying dependent or two or more accompanying dependents. 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 of 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.
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.
Benin
The Republic of Benin is a West African country of more than 10 million people, known for its vibrant culture and for its history as a tolerant and democratic country. Since 1990, the country has transitioned power peacefully and has been cited as one of the best political models in the West African Sub-region, though some observers are concerned about recent electoral changes and restrictions on free expression. The government of Benin has introduced several reforms at the level of primary, secondary and university education. Some of these measures include i) introducing the teaching of English language at state-owned primary schools, ii) making proficiency in English a key requirement for Master and PhD students, iii) evaluating and reclassifying all public schools teachers, iv) suspending non-accredited private schools and universities, including the establishment of a national exam to certify degrees conferred by private institutions.
Benin has two major public university systems, the University of Abomey-Calavi in the South and the University of Parakou in the North, each with several satellite campuses. In addition, several private universities have a growing need for qualified academics to lecture and conduct research in areas such as: literature, linguistics, agribusiness, finance, management, economics, and American Studies. The academic year generally begins in October and ends in June. French language is required to facilitate interaction with students and for use in daily life.
The U.S. Embassy located in the capital city Cotonou offers guidance on visa, housing and security issues. English language schools are available for dependent children in grades K-12 who accompany scholars. The Embassy is committed to building Beninese youth and students’ capacities in entrepreneurship, women's empowerment or English language acquisition through training, outreach programs and daily sessions held inside the embassy. Fulbright Scholars can greatly contribute to achieving such goals.
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.