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.
Host institutions welcome scholars to teach or carry out a combination of teaching and/or research activities. Teaching activities will include undergraduate courses, student advising, faculty training and curriculum development.
Teaching components must correspond with the length of the academic semester. The academic year starts in mid-August or beginning September and ends by May or mid-June. One-semester proposals start in mid-August/September or mid-January. The calendar may be adjusted around Islamic holidays.
U.S. scholars visiting Qatar for more than two months must have either a multi-entry official visa or a residency visa.
The residency visa is the best option because it allows the grantee to obtain a Qatari ID that will facilitate access to certain services such as signing a rental lease or phone/internet contracts. The multi-entry official visa allows the grantee to spend up to ten months in country, but does not enable the grantee to obtain a Qatari ID. To obtain either visa the grantee must provide attested copies of their PhD/highest degrees and transcripts to the Qatari Ministry of Interior. If the grantee wishes to bring their family members to stay for more than two consecutive months in Qatar, then the grantee will also need to submit attested copies of the marriage certificate, child’s birth certificate, and sometimes an FBI clearance letter and a blood test to obtain visas for their family members. These documents are required by the Qatari Ministry of Interior for issuance of multi-entry official and residency visas. The U.S. Embassy in Qatar cannot assist the grantee in obtaining Qatari visas.
To avoid delays, the grantee should start working on document attestation and begin the visa application process immediately upon placement with the host institution. In most cases, Qatar University (QU) through its Human Resources (HR) department will assist with the entry visa and the Qatari ID upon receipt of the attested documents from the Fulbright grantee.
Qatar University can offer free housing for visiting Fulbright scholars at Faculty housing buildings, with fully furnished spacious one or two-bedroom apartments. For special requests such as baby crib or equipment for people with special needs, visiting scholars should coordinate directly with the university’s HR department. Visiting scholars who would opt to stay at QU’s faculty housing might face issues getting taxis picking them up due to restricted access to the campus especially during evening time.
It is important to know that visiting Fulbright scholars wouldn’t have access to certain services that require a salary certificate or other documents that the host institution can’t provide by Qatari law. These services include opening a local bank account and getting a local driving license.
During their grant period, Fulbright U.S. Scholars in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region may apply for a short-term regional travel grant (5 to 14 days) for participation in a variety of activities including faculty and student lectures, graduate or faculty seminars, curriculum development, public lectures, panel presentations, needs assessment, conferences, or some combination thereof.
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
For research components without Arabic language proficiency, feasibility of conducting research in English must be demonstrated in the proposal.
If Arabic is needed to conduct the research, the language proficiency evaluation must be completed.
For teaching, English proficiency is a requirement. Additional proficiency in Arabic is preferred and recommended for teaching in certain disciplines, like social sciences and humanities.
Ph.D. and at least three years of postdoctoral teaching and research experience are required. Practicing professionals holding a Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree with higher education teaching experience will be considered. Experience in teaching first year students and with initiatives for improving students’ attrition is preferred. Experience with embedding technologies in the classroom is also preferred.
Qatar University Contacts:
For Qatar University departmental contact information, please email the Academic Vice President's office at Academic Faculty Recruiting (academicrecruiting@qu.edu.qa), and Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAcademic@qu.edu.qa).
Qatar University online resources:
Relocation, in-transit, excess baggage, and visa fees:
Plus, a round-trip, economy-class, international travel arranged by travel agent selected by IIE.
$750 books and educational materials allowance for teaching or teaching/research grants; should be donated to the host institution (or other entity) upon grantee's departure.
$2000 research allowance for research-only grants.
Additional living and housing (monthly) allowances are provided for grantees with one accompanying dependent or two or more accompanying dependents. These amounts range from $875/month to $2500/month.
Round-trip, economy-class, international travel is arranged by travel agent selected by IIE, for up to two dependents.
Dependent tuition allowance for dependents in grades K-12 is provided on a reimbursement basis upon submission of receipts and based on the availability of funds. Reimbursement is based on actual cost of tuition and fees only.
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.
Qatar presents an attractive environment with a cost of living that reflects its high-end infrastructure and cosmopolitan lifestyle. For an experienced American university scholar, monthly expenses in Doha typically range between $3,500 to $5,500, contingent on personal preferences and housing choices. Premium accommodations in prestigious districts like West Bay or The Pearl can cost approximately $3,000-$4,500 per month for a two-bedroom apartment with modern amenities. Daily expenses are relatively high, with meals at mid-range restaurants averaging $15-$25 per meal, and fine dining options ranging $30-$50 per meal. The monthly utility costs range around $300-$500, reflecting necessary climate control. Transportation costs can be managed through a mix of taxi services and personal vehicle ownership, with monthly transportation expenses estimated at $500-$800. Family educational expenses are significant, with international schools in Doha charging annual tuition ranging from $15,000 to $25,000 per child, depending on the institution's reputation and curriculum. Healthcare costs are relatively manageable, with world-class medical facilities like Hamad Medical Corporation and numerous private hospitals offering comprehensive care.
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.
The Fulbright Program in Qatar began in 1995 and supports both U.S. and Qatari scholars. The traditional U.S. Scholar Program is small but impactful, placing U.S. scholars primarily at Qatar University. Qatar has positioned itself as a regional epicenter for research and teaching, which offers a unique opportunity for U.S. scholars interested in the Middle East region. Qatar has focused on developing its reputation for world-class education, research institutions, centers of cultural and artistic excellence, and global philanthropy.
Qatar remains one of the safest countries in the world, where visitors and residents can experience the courteous and hospitable nature of Arab culture.
The official language of the country is Arabic, but English is widely spoken and understood. Islam is the official religion of the country.
The work week in Qatar is Sunday to Thursday.
Academic terms typically run from September through January and February through June.Full-year awards are preferred, but one-semester awards will be considered. The Academic calendar is usually published at the Qatari official e-Government portal https://hukoomi.gov.qa/. Most of the portal’s pages and the websites of the ministries and other governmental websites are available in Arabic and English.
Qatar’s population as of 2024 is approximately 2.9 million, according to the Planning and Statistics Authority (PSA). The official currency is the Qatari Riyal (QAR). The exchange parity has been set at the fixed rate of USD1 = QAR3.64. Qatar has one of the fastest growing economies and the highest per capita income in the world.
The country has a moderate desert climate with mild winters and hot summers. Humidity levels can be very high on the coast during the summer months. Most places such as shopping malls, restaurants, and cinemas are air‐conditioned.
Qatar’s healthcare system remains world-class, consistently ranked among the top globally in terms of quality of care. All residents with a valid ID and residence permit, including expats, can access public healthcare in Qatar. Healthcare in Qatar is overseen by the Ministry of Public Health.
Telecommunications infrastructure has been upgraded to a a fully fibre-optic network, with Qatar maintaining its position as a global leader in mobile internet speed with average download speeds of 250 Mbps and upload speeds of 30 Mbps.
The country is served by Hamad International Airport (HIA). HIA is Qatar’s gateway to the world, and the home and hub of Qatar Airways, Qatar’s five-star airline. HIA serves over 40 million passengers annually.
Metered taxis and limousines are easy to find and there is a comprehensive public transport system. Rideshare is also available using Uber and other local applications. The Doha Metro is fully operational and has three lines (Red, Gold, and Green) spanning 37 stations.
Key academic institutions continue to play a crucial role in Qatar's educational landscape:
Qatar University (QU) hosts ten colleges and offers the widest range of academic programs, including48 Bachelors, 32 Masters, nine Ph.D. programs, four Diplomas, and a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD). Research is an integral part of the academic environment at QU and is bolstered by its Research Complex, and 17 research centers of excellence.
Learn more about QU at http://www.qu.edu.qa/
University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) is a national applied university offering bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, certificates, and diplomas in various fields. UDST offers academic and co-curricular programming to more than 5,000 full-time students enrolled in over 50 programs in the areas of Engineering Technology and Industrial Trades, Health Sciences, Business Management and Information Technology, and Academic Education. UDST’s Applied Research Center is a home to three labs: Artificial Intelligence Lab, Cyber Security Lab, and Multidisciplinary Labs.
Learn more about UDST at https://www.udst.edu.qa/
Mustafa Mashal
Associate Professor & Director at Idaho State University
U.S. Fulbright Scholar at Qatar University (2022-23)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmashal/
Elizabeth M. Palmer
Earth & Planetary Radar Geophysics
U.S. Fulbright Scholar at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (2021-22)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/empalmer1/
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.
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 will be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host community, in addition to their primary activities.