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Suriname
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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 in any discipline and/or pursue independent or collaborative research as desired. The standard teaching load is eight hours per week. For teaching/research projects, candidates should plan a 50/50 ratio of teaching to research.
Institutions of higher education, government institutions, cultural institutions, and non-governmental organizations.
For Flex grants, see Flex Option section.
All Scholars to Suriname are required to attend a pre-departure orientation, which typically takes place in June, prior to beginning their Fulbright grant.
Flex awards are offered for teaching, teaching/research, and research grants.
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.
The U.S. Embassy in Suriname is interested in projects that will have an impact in capacity building of Surinamese institutions and contribute towards their development. Applications are sought in all disciplines. The following areas of research are of special interest: agriculture, anthropology, archaeology, economics, education, environmental sciences, computer science, information technology, journalism, music, psychology, and public health.
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
Applicants should establish contact with a prospective host institution at the time of application to discuss the proposed project.
Dutch language proficiency is recommended, but not required.
All university classes are in Dutch. However, most, if not all, post-secondary Surinamese academics speak excellent English.
Ph.D. is preferred, but a master's degree with at least three years of teaching experience will be considered. Experienced academics preferred but early career applicants (within five years of terminal degree) will also be considered.
The Embassy's Public Affairs Section welcomes inquiries from applicants. Candidates without contacts in Suriname may contact the U.S. Embassy in Paramaribo to request assistance.
Email: education-suriname@state.gov
Phone: +597 556 700
$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; no dependent travel will be provided.
$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 the scholar'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 $200/month to $400/month.
Round-trip airfare is also provided for up to two eligible dependents and is coordinated through travel agency GBT.
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.
Scholars should budget around $1500-2000 per month for living expenses. This amount includes housing which can range from $750 a month for a basic furnished 1 bedroom/studio apartment to $1750 for a serviced apartment with meals included. Inflation has been quite high recently, making the exchange rate strong, however prices have also risen to match. Transportation and food are relatively inexpensive, and you can purchase a basic lunch for around $3-5 in local restaurants. See country overview for more information on transportation.
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.
Suriname
Unique Country
Suriname is a unique and relatively undeveloped South American/Caribbean country of roughly 600,000 inhabitants with a tropical climate. A former Dutch colony, it borders Guyana, French Guiana, Brazil, and the Atlantic Ocean. Ninety percent of the country is covered with dense tropical rainforest while coastal mangroves form the shoreline. The capital city, Paramaribo, has a population of roughly 350,000 inhabitants.
Dutch-speaking Suriname gained independence in 1975 and experienced civil war in the 1980s. However, with a stable democratically elected government and leadership in CARICOM, it is now poised, after years of isolation, for development in fields such as tourism, entrepreneurship, and business development. Recent oil exploration off the coast promises future prosperity, though the effects will not be felt for another few years or more. There are many opportunities for research on environmental and sociocultural issues, health care and journalism.
Applicants to Suriname will find themselves in high demand for their expertise, welcomed by Suriname's legendary friendly hospitality, in a country that abounds with natural wonders and features a capital city, Paramaribo, which offers most of the amenities to which Westerners are accustomed.
Diverse Demographics
With its history of colonization, slavery, and subsequent waves of immigration, Dutch, Jewish, African, Chinese, Hindustani and Javanese groups melded to form a racially diverse and mixed nation, with no one ethnicity dominating. The interior is home to many indigenous and Maroon tribes. Approximately half of the population is Christian, 22% Hindu, and 14% Muslim. The remaining 13 percent includes Baha’is, Jews, Buddhists, and indigenous religions among others. There is some overlap between ethnicity and religion. The Hindustani-speaking population is primarily Hindu, while some ethnic Indians, Javanese, and Creoles practice Islam. Christianity crosses all ethnic backgrounds. Suriname prides itself on its diversity and tolerance of different cultures and religions and celebrates them all.
Tropical Climate
Temperatures can go up to 97°F/36°C but average in the 80s. It is hot and humid throughout the year in almost every region. However, in most of the country, there is a rainy season from December to mid-August (with a relative decrease in February and March and a peak in May and June) and a relatively dry season from late August to mid-November. There are also often breezes in the evening that cool the temperature.
Cost of Living
Post-COVID, Suriname currently has a very high rate of inflation, at around 50%. The official exchange rate has changed several times in the past few months and is now at US$1=SRD38.
Most packaged items are imported and can be pricey, local products are cheaper but of varying quality. It is possible to eat lunch for US$3 or for US$15 depending on the restaurant.
Transportation
Getting around the city can be done by bus, at a rate of about SRD15 per trip, or by taxi, with rates of $5 - $10 per trip for most locations around the city. There are government and private buses, with neither being reliable in all neighborhoods.
Housing
Scholars should be aware that it may not be possible to secure housing within walking distance of the university and should be prepared to take public transportation or taxi to their place of work.
Education
Please note the academic calendar in Suriname begins in October.
Education in Suriname is divided into primary education, secondary education, and tertiary education and consists of public and private schools. The public schools are under the management and authority of the government.
Suriname's largest educational institution, Anton de Kom University, as well as other private higher education institutes for teaching, journalism and business, such as Polytechnic College, have highly qualified academics who are eager to collaborate with international partners on research and teaching. The university itself is in the midst of an accreditation process and would welcome expertise from U.S. scholars on curriculum development in fields as varied as psychology, mining, engineering and social sciences.
Connectivity
Scholars should not expect much Internet connectivity at their host institution, and if there are audio/visual materials they want to use in class, as much content as possible should be pre-downloaded on to a flash drive prior to arrival. Some host institutions will have in-class tech (smart board, projector) available for the scholar’s use, and a laptop can be located if necessary.
Medical Services
Medical services are not always available due to a lack of medical professionals and medication. Medication cannot be shipped through the mail. Scholars should bring a backup pair of glasses or contact lenses. As you prepare your Fulbright application, we encourage you to read the information on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.
What to pack
Throughout the year: pack tropics-friendly, loose-fitting clothing, light shirts, and pants of natural fibers (cotton, linen) or synthetics that breathe, maybe with long sleeves for mosquitoes; a light sweatshirt for the evening, a sun hat, and an umbrella or a light and breathable raincoat.
From December to March, add a sweatshirt for the evening.
Click here for a list of Fulbright Scholar alumni to Suriname.
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.
Candidates without contacts in Suriname may contact the U.S. Embassy to request assistance.
U.S. Embassy requests that all awardees 1) enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at travel.state.gov, and 2) visit the U.S. Embassy upon arrival for safety in-brief and to provide contact information.
The Embassy's Public Affairs Section welcomes inquiries from applicants.
The U.S. Embassy contact information is:
sr.usembassy.gov
+597 556 700