Fulbright Scholar Award

All Disciplines

Georgia

Application Deadline
closed
Award Code
25263-GE
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.
Research
Research includes activities involving scientific research, qualitative research, quantitative research, and practice-based research, including artistic research. Research can take place in locations such as the laboratory, the field, the archives, or an artist residency. It can be experimental, clinical, or applied. It can include examining policies, systems, theories, methods, interactions, and works of art and music, with the objective to evaluate or develop new knowledge or works. Quantifiable (tangible) outcomes can include publications (books, journal articles, scripts, etc.), conference presentations, artistic and musical compositions, exhibitions, performances, films, and patents.
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) not required
Career Profile
Artists
Awards are open to individuals who have more than seven years of experience in an artistic profession.
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

Approximately
4
Award Start Period
September 2025 or February 2026
Award Length
4 months - 6 months or 9 months
Flex Option
Yes
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
Conduct a research project designated by the host institution
Conduct a research project of the applicant’s choosing
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 and graduate courses in area of specialization and assist with student advising and curriculum development, as needed. Conduct research. Applicants wishing to undertake teaching/research grants should determine the percentage of the grant dedicated to each activity with the host institution but no less than 25% of the grant activity should be dedicated to teaching or teaching-related activities. For Flex grants, see Flex Option box.

For professional and/or artistic projects in the scholar's area of expertise, the project may include professional consultations, mentoring, arranging exhibitions, preparation of print materials (books, articles, reviews), exchange of experience with other professionals, and participation in public events.  Projects may be carried out with local NGOs or not strictly academic institutions.

The government of Georgia’s educational priorities include promoting internationalization in higher education, which refers to the process of integrating an international and intercultural aspect into teaching and research in order to increase competitiveness and improved performance in higher education.  It also includes efforts to introduce modern teaching and evaluation methodology in line with international standards with the ultimate goal of further integrating Georgian higher education institutions with their counterparts in Europe and the United States.  For those Fulbright Scholars who have expertise and are interested, there may be opportunities to assist with developing internationalization strategies at the host institution through participation in training, conferences, research, discussions, and knowledge acquisition.  

Scholars selected for this grant will be required to attend a mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation in Summer 2025.

 

Fulbright U.S. Scholar to Georgia, Donna Farina, 2019-2020

 

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

Four months or nine months for teaching/research; four to six months for research-only. For Flex grants, see Flex Option box.

One-semester grants may begin in September 2025 or February 2026; two-semester grants must begin in September 2025. For Flex grants, see Flex Option box.

Flex Description

Flex awards are offered for 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.

Grant segments are allowed to be conducted in summer months (June, July, and August)
No
SEGMENTS MAY BE PROPOSED FOR Up to a 2 year PERIOD
2 or 3 Segments MAY BE PROPOSED
MAXIMUM LENGTH OF THE TOTAL GRANT IS 6 MONTH(S)
MINIMUM LENGTH OF THE TOTAL GRANT IS 4 MONTH(S)

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

Citizenship/Residency Requirement
Applicants residing in the award country at the time of application or thereafter are not eligible to apply for this award.
Invitation Requirement
A letter of invitation is preferred.
Invitation Requirement Additional Information

August is traditionally a summer vacation month in Georgia and responses to inquiries may be delayed. Applicants are advised to contact the Georgian host institution well ahead of time to solicit an invitation letter for their application. If needed the U.S. Embassy is ready to assist applicants with contacting the potential host insitution. 

Language Proficiency Requirements
None, English is sufficient. However, feasibility of conducting the project must be demonstrated in the project statement
Additional Language Requirement

All teaching will be in English; additional language proficiency not required.

For research, language proficiency sufficient to complete the proposed project is required. When applicable, applicants should submit the Self Evaluation and External Evaluation sections of the Language Proficiency Report.

For applicants without local language proficiency, feasibility of conducting the project must be demonstrated in the project statement.

Additional Qualification Information

Preferred qualifications: at least a Masters Degree and two years of teaching experience in a chosen field of research.  Adjunct and community college faculty members are encouraged to apply.

Award Allowances

Grant benefits include a monthly maintenance allowance, comprised of a base stipend and living and housing allowances. The base stipend varies based on a scholar's current academic rank (or professional equivalent). Living and housing allowances vary based on the city of placement, and the number of accompanying dependents. Dependent housing and living allowances will not be provided to Flex grantees.

Researcher and Professional Project Monthly Allowances
$3295
$3645
Teaching or Teaching/Research Award Monthly Allowances
$4065
$4635
Estimated Travel and Relocation Allowance for Grantee

$4,550
For Flex grants: round-trip travel will be included for each segment of the grant for the grantee only. 

Estimated Book and Research Allowance

$1,000 books and educational materials allowance for teaching and teaching/research grants; should be donated to the host institution (or other entity) upon grantee's departure.

Do you offer additional dependent benefits
Yes

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 $400/month.

In addition, a travel allowance of $3,250 is provided for one dependent and $6,500 for two or more accompanying dependents. 

Reimbursement for dependent education expenses may be available on a limited basis, depending on funding availability and grant duration. Grantees should confirm with IIE that proposed expenses meet eligibility criteria; however, availability of funds may not be known until the end of the academic year.

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.

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.

Georgia

What is life like for Fulbrighters in your country?

Situated at the strategically important crossroads where Europe meets Asia, Georgia has a unique and ancient cultural heritage and world-renowned cuisine. From green valleys with vineyards to old churches and watchtowers perched in stunning mountain scenery, Georgia’s natural beauty belies its modest size, and its legendary hospitality invites visitors to further explore the country and its rich history.

Overall, there are currently 54 higher education institutions in Georgia of three main types:

  • 30 universities - institutions of higher education that offer undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degree programs and scientific research
  • 20 teaching universities - institutions of higher education that offer only master's degree programs 
  • 4 colleges - institutions of higher education that offer only undergraduate programs  

Georgia joined the Bologna Process in 2005, a Europe-wide mechanism to ensure compatibility between higher education standards, and has largely shaped its higher education system according to these international guidelines. The language of instruction is predominantly Georgian. Only those programs that aim to attract international students are delivered entirely in English. Some joint programs with European universities are offered in German or English.

Over the past two decades Georgia has made significant changes in its higher education system; its main recent focus was on accreditation standards and internationalizing its campuses and programs. Depending on the institution, there may be opportunities to assist with developing internationalization strategies at the host institution for those Fulbright Scholars who have expertise and interest.

Georgia is a unique teaching abroad destination that offers diverse opportunities to influence the development process of the education system and be directly engaged with both ethnic majority and minority groups.

The U.S. Embassy encourages scholars to research appropriate institutions and correspond directly with potential hosts. The U.S. Embassy is happy to play an advisory role in the process should a scholar have questions or concerns about potential host institutions. Affiliation outside of Tbilisi is encouraged.

Please refer to the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs website or the U.S. Embassy in Georgia website for current information about travel to Georgia. For specific questions related to educational institutions in Georgia, please write to the following e-mail at the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi: TbilisiExchanges@state.gov

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