Fulbright Scholar Award

All Disciplines

Belize

Application Deadline
closed
Award Code
25343-BZ
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) not 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.
Community College Faculty
Community College Faculty

Number of recipients

Approximately
1
Award Start Period
August 2025 - February 2026
Award Length
4 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
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 courses at the associate degree and undergraduate level on a full-time basis under the teaching option, or teach and conduct collaborative or independent research as desired under the teaching/research option. For teaching/research projects, scholars should plan a 50/50 ratio of teaching to research.

Locations
Location Selection: Award is hosted by the institution listed below
Locations Detail

University of Belize (UB): UB's main campus is located in the capital city, Belmopan. UB also has campus sites as follows: Belize City at West Landivar and Freetown Road; Central Farm in the Cayo District; Punta Gorda in the Toledo District; and two marine sites at Huntington Caye and Calabash Caye. The University of Belize was established in 2000 as an amalgamation of five previously existing tertiary-level institutions. 

Galen University: Galen University is an independent university in the Cayo District, approximately 30 minutes from the capital city, Belmopan.  The university is chartered and recognized by the Ministry of Education of the Government of Belize to offer undergraduate and graduate level degrees in programs such as business, arts, sciences, and education. The institution was established in 2003 and has placed a strong focus on sustainable development in its programing since its founding. 

Award Length and Period

Grants may begin in August 2025 or later.

All Scholars to Belize are required to attend a pre-departure orientation, which typically takes place in early or mid-July, prior to beginning their Fulbright grant. 

Special Features

Marine science, biology and environmental science scholars will have access to UB's two marine sites at Huntington Caye and Calabash Caye for research.

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

Citizenship/Residency Requirement
Dual citizens of the award country are not eligible to apply for this award.
Permanent residents of the award country are not eligible to apply for this award.
Invitation Requirement
A letter of invitation is required.
Language Proficiency Requirements
None, English is sufficient
Additional Qualification Information

Applicants with a Ph.D. are strongly preferred, but applicants with a master's degree and substantial professional experience may be considered. At least three years of teaching experience is required for projects with a teaching component.

Additional Comments

Applicants are encouraged to contact the University of Belize or Galen University for further information or to request an invitation letter from either university. Applicants can also contact the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs at BelmopanPA@state.gov for additional questions or for further assistance.

The Calabash Caye Field Station is a basic and applied marine research station that provides sound scientific basis for the management of the Turneffe Atoll. Research is focused on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, coral reefs, climate change, coastal ecosystems, invasive species, ocean research, and endangered marine species. In addition to research, there are various long-term monitoring programs that Fulbright scholars can contribute to during their stay. These include coral reef, mangrove and sea grass ecosystem monitoring, coral bleaching monitoring, coral spawning and monitoring of herbivores. For more information on Calabash Cay Field Station please email Leandra Rickets. Phone: +501-223-1000 ext. 438.

Researcher and Professional Project Monthly Allowances
$4420
$4420
Teaching or Teaching/Research Award Monthly Allowances
$5190
$5410
Estimated Travel and Relocation Allowance for Grantee

$2,550

Estimated Book and Research Allowance

$1,000 books and educational materials allowance; these materials should be donated to the host institution or other entity upon the scholar's departure.

$300 - $500 research allowance for professional project grants only.

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 dependent. These amounts range from $500/month to $1000/month.

In addition, travel allowances are provided for up to two dependents. These amount range from $1,200 to $2,400.

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

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.

Belize

What is life like for Fulbrighters in your country?

Applicants to Belize will find themselves in high demand for their expertise and welcomed by Belize's legendary hospitality. 

Belize is a country that abounds with natural wonders and features the world's smallest capital city, Belmopan, which has less than 20,000 residents but offers most of the amenities to which Westerners are accustomed. Belize's abundance of terrestrial and marine species and its diversity of ecosystems give it a key place in the globally significant Mesoamerican Biological Corridor. Belize is also renowned for its abundant Mayan archaeological sites, including the remains of several large communities dating from the Mayan Classical Era.

Belize has a highly diverse society, with many distinct cultures and languages found within a country roughly the size of the U.S. state of Massachusetts. The official language is English and is almost universally understood, although English-based Kriol is widely spoken by most citizens regardless of ethnicity. Roughly half the population speaks Spanish, although the vast majority of Spanish speakers also speak English. Chinese, Mayan, Garifuna (an Arawak language originating in the Caribbean island of St. Lucia), and Mennonite Low German are among the other languages spoken by substantial communities across the country. 

As you prepare your Fulbright application, we encourage you to read the information on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.

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