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 courses and/or conduct research in the area of specialization. Consult with or advise students (including graduate students) and faculty, as requested. There is no preference as to how scholars divide their time between teaching and research as long as there is a teaching component.
Scholars selected for this grant will be required to attend a mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation in Summer 2026.
Scholars should affiliate with one of the institutions listed below based on the specializations outlined:
University of Montenegro: This is Montenegro's only public university. Campuses are divided throughout the country as follows:
1. Podgorica: Political Science, Economics, Law, Technical Sciences and Medicine
2. Kotor: Tourism and Maritime Studies
3. Cetinje: Fine Arts, Drama, Film and Music
4. Niksic: Philosophy, English Language, Russian, Italian, French, German, Psychology, Sociology, History and Geography, Physical Culture, History and Pedagogy
5. Bijelo Polje: Law Management studies (Economics School branch) and Agriculture.
More information, including contact details for the above-listed campuses, can be found at the following link: University of Montenegro (ucg.ac.me). If you experience any issues with establishing contact with potential host institutions, reach out to the Embassy via PodgoricaExchanges@state.gov, cc: janketicm2@state.gov.
Three to ten months. For Flex grants, see Flex Option section.
One-semester grants must start in either September 2026 or February 2027; two-semester grants must start in September 2026. Flex grants must be completed by September 30, 2027.
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.
Preferences include, but are not limited to: political science, journalism, arts, tourist industry, maritime law, American literature and civilization, marketing and economics, accounting, public health, mechanical engineering.
Unique opportunities also exist for U.S. political scientists, international relations and diplomacy specialists and journalists seeking an affiliation with the Faculty of Political Science at the University of Montenegro-Podgorica, where the next generation of diplomats, politicians and journalists in Montenegro are trained.
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
Scholars should affiliate with one of the institutions listed below based on the specializations outlined below.
University of Montenegro: This is Montenegro's only public university. Campuses are divided throughout the country as follows:
1) Podgorica: Political Science, Economics, Law, Technical Sciences and Medicine
2) Kotor: Tourism and Maritime Studies
3) Cetinje: Fine Arts, Drama, Film and Music
4) Niksic: Philosophy, English Language, Russian, Italian, French, German, Psychology, Sociology, History and Geography, Physical Culture, History and Pedagogy
5) Bijelo Polje: Law Management studies (Economics School branch) and Agriculture.
More information, including contact details for the above-listed campuses, can be found at the following link: University of Montenegro (ucg.ac.me).
Knowledge of local language is not required. However, at least basic knowledge of local language may make it far easier to interact outside the classroom (shopping, getting around, finding a place to live, etc.). In some cases, classes may be taught in English, with translation provided by the host institution as necessary.
For research, applicants without local language proficiency must demonstrate the feasibility of conducting the project in the project statement.
Preference is given to applicants with a Ph.D., but professionals with university teaching experience are also encouraged to apply.
You may be asked to participate in an interview as part of the in-country selection process.
Depending on the number and quality of received applications, the Embassy may conduct interviews in English online.
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.
$4,570
For Flex grants: round trip travel will be included for each segment of the grant for the grantee only.
$1,500 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.
Additional living and housing allowance is provided for grantees with one accompanying dependent or two or more accompanying dependents. These amounts range from $300/month to $550/month.
In addition, travel allowances are provided for dependents: $2,000 for one dependent, and $4,000 for two or more dependents.
A dependent education allowance for accompanying dependents in grades K-12 is reimbursed at $5,000 maximum for one semester, $10,000 maximum for a full academic year, upon submission of receipts and depending on funding availability. Reimbursement is based on actual costs.
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.
U.S. SCHOLARS - 2023
MONTENEGRO
I. FELLOWSHIP ALLOWANCE:
Research Awards $ 2,370
Teaching or Teaching/Research Awards (Asst. Professor or Below) $ 3,140
Teaching or Teaching/Research Awards (Assoc. or Full Professor) $ 3,360
Distinguished Scholar Awards $ 4,000
II. LIVING ALLOWANCE:
Single or no accompanying dependents $ 700
One accompanying dependent $ 750
Two or more accompanying dependents $ 800
III. HOUSING ALLOWANCE:
Single or no accompanying dependents $ 900
One accompanying dependent $ 1,150
Two or more accompanying dependents $ 1,350
IV. TRAVEL AND RELOCATION ALLOWANCES: $ 4,570
Travel and Relocation allowances include the following:
Round-trip air travel $ 2,800
Relocation $ 750
In-transit $ 250
Excess baggage $ 550
Registration $ 220
V. BOOK ALLOWANCE:
For Teaching Awards $ 1,500
VI. DEPENDENT TRAVEL ALLOWANCES:
One accompanying dependent $ 2,000
Two or more accompanying dependents $ 4,000
VII. RESEARCH ALLOWANCE:
For Research Awards ONLY $0
VIII. DEPENDENT EDUCATION ALLOWANCE: $0
N/A
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.
Montenegro is known for its beautiful landscapes, ranging from ski-worthy mountains to the lovely Adriatic coast. Montenegro has an economic divide, with the capital city and beach towns enjoying more prosperity than the north. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has taken its toll on all segments of the economy, and especially the tourism industry.
The country joined NATO in 2017 and is on the path toward EU membership, but work still remains to be done, particularly in strengthening the rule of law. Parliamentary elections in August 2020 marked the first change of political power since the introduction of a multiparty political system in the early 1990s.
Three universities are located in Podgorica, with some departments located in the student towns of Cetinje and Niksic, approximately a 45-minute drive from Podgorica. A few university departments are in the North, in the cities of Berane and Bijelo Polje.
Academic fields of special significance and interest are: political science, journalism, arts, tourist industry, maritime law, American literature and civilization, marketing and economics, accounting, public health, mechanical engineering. Preference will be given to teaching and research proposals from U.S. faculty within these fields, with a focus on the following topics: higher education administration, American culture, the rule of law, fighting crime and corruption, civil society, empowering women, increasing economic opportunities (especially in the north of Montenegro), the hospitality industry, public health and youth issues.
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.
If you have any questions, please email the U.S. Embassy in Podgorica: PodgoricaExchanges@state.gov, cc: janketicm2@state.gov.