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 at the graduate or undergraduate level, advise on university curriculum and development, and offer other host institutions support as requested.
Conduct independent or collaborative research. For teaching/research awards, the ratio of grant activity should be 50/50.
Applicants can liaise with host affiliates to outline award activities to meet the needs of the host institution in alignment with the expertise of the scholar.
Applicants to this award may propose affiliation with universities, research institutes and non-governmental organizations. The following host institutions have expressed interest in hosting Fulbright Scholars. Please note that applicants are not required to affiliate with one of these host institutions.
The University of the West Indies is open to hosting scholars from all disciplines. Please see their website at https://sta.uwi.edu for more information on the university Departments, Centers and Institutes. There is an interest in the following specialty areas:
The University of Trinidad and Tobago seeks a scholar to teach undergraduate courses, deliver monthly seminars, and/or conduct research. The university can engage scholars in the following fields: Agriculture, Entrepreneurship, Engineering, Fine Arts and Media Arts (Animation, Music and Dance), Coastal and Ocean Management, Nautical Science and Maritime Operations.
The University of the Southern Caribbean seeks a scholar to teach undergraduate and graduate courses, deliver monthly seminars and/or conduct research. The university prefers scholars in the following fields: Occupational Therapy, Criminology, Education, Nursing, Social Work and Psychology.
The College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago is open to hosting scholars from all disciplines. The university has interest in a scholar to develop curricula and teach for the Department of Nursing's, BSc. Midwifery program.
Grants can begin starting in August 2026. For Flex grants, see Flex Option section.
All Scholars to Trinidad & Tobago are required to attend a pre-departure orientation, which typically takes place in early to mid-July, prior to beginning their Fulbright grant.
In order to engage U.S. scholars currently unable to spend extended periods of time abroad, the Fulbright Program welcomes applications from scholars who propose multiple, short-term stays in the host country within the grant period.
This option should only be used in circumstances where the scholar is unable to engage in long-term visits, which is the preferred option for most host institutions.
We prefer two or three segments with a minimum of 2 months for each segment.
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.
All disciplines are welcomed; however, our priority areas are as follows:
Proposals outside of these fields and specialties are welcomed.
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
Applicants can visit the university website and reach out to faculty via email to determine their capacity to facilitate their proposed visit. If faculty profiles are not available, please email the university representatives below.
Applicants should also copy the following administrators in emails to prospective host affiliates:
University of Trinidad and Tobago: Sandra Ganness at sandra.ganness@utt.edu.tt
University of the West Indies, St. Augustine: Carol Ayoung at internationaloffice@sta.uwi.edu
University of the Southern Caribbean: Beverly Ellis at ellis@usc.edu.tt
College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago: Rodney Amar at rramar@costaatt.edu.tt
A doctoral degree is preferred since scholars may engage with master's level or doctoral students and faculty.
A master's degree or other terminal degree is accepted for applicants with at least 10 years working experience as a specialist in the field.
You may be asked to participate in an interview as part of the in-country selection process.
Candidates may be interviewed depending on the needs of the program.
$2,750
For Flex grants, round-trip travel will be included for each segment of the grant for the Scholar only. Dependent travel will not be provided for Flex Scholars.
$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 grantee'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.
In addition, travel allowances are provided for up to two dependents. These amounts range from $1,400 - $2,800.
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.
The pandemic has caused a significant increase in food prices and the cost of services and other amenities including transportation.
Average cost of living in U.S. dollars Is $3,000 per month. You may use an online cost-of-living calculator to compare the differences.
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.
Trinidad and Tobago is a diverse country with a population of approximately 1.3 million people. Although small, it is a developing country with an emphasis on education and training. There are four popular universities that offer multiple degree programs, some of which are newly introduced programs. The culture is warm and inviting with students from Trinidad as well as across the Caribbean region, who are excited to learn from US experts. Visitors can come to Trinidad and Tobago for up to 90 days without a visa, which makes it easy for scholars to have their family visit while in Trinidad. Public health facilities are available at no cost to visitors if needed and there are also efficient private hospitals that visitors can also access for a cost.
If visitors come during the January-to-May semester, they will get to experience the very popular Trinidad and Tobago Carnival in February. Scholars can also visit beautiful beaches on the twin island Tobago which is a 15-minute flight from Trinidad.
At most universities, the first semester is from late August to mid-December and the second semester is from late January to mid-May. An MPhil or Ph.D. is preferred for all awards. In some cases, requested grant lengths may be adjusted at the discretion of the Fulbright Program. Short-term Flex grants are available upon request.
As you prepare your Fulbright application, we encourage you to read the information on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.
For more information on the Fulbright Program in Trinidad and Tobago, please email Public Engagement Specialist Kervelle Durant-Julien at: Durant-JulienKA@state.gov.
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.
Prior to arrival, scholars will find housing in coordination with U.S. Embassy Port of Spain that meets the mission’s security requirements. Please indicate in your application if you are planning to live or work with a host institution in Tobago so that Fulbright may prepare appropriately for your grant.