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 undergraduate or graduate level courses or carry out a combination of teaching and research activities.
For proposals that include a teaching component, applicants should suggest courses for consideration in their proposal based on their expertise and experience. The typical Algerian university class is generally two hours long, meets once per week, and is comprised of an average of 60-150 students per class. Applicants should expect to teach 6 to 10 hours per week. Activities and courses will be finalized in consultation with the U.S. Embassy and host institution. Researchers will be expected to teach at minimum 4 to 6 hours per week each semester. Algeria can be a very rewarding teaching experience for motivated, flexible, and adventurous scholars.
For proposals that carry out a combination of teaching and research activities, there are no requirements for a teaching/research ratio as this depends on the interests of the scholar and agreement of the host institution, though research only grants are not possible.
Algeria has hundreds of universities across the country. The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has previously requested scholars for the following institutions; however, U.S. Embassy Algiers will work with the scholar and the Ministry to determine an appropriate university, which may or may not be included in the below list.
Grants typically begin in October. If possible, grantees are encouraged to arrive mid-September to participate in the in-country orientation, finalize lodging arrangements and settle-in, and prepare for the academic year.
Teaching components must correspond with the length of the Algerian academic semester. The academic year in Algeria is from October to July, with administrators reporting in September, and includes three terms: October through December, January through March, and April through early July. There are two two-week breaks in the winter and spring, and the calendar may be adjusted around Islamic holidays. Applicants applying for a 10-month grant will need to teach three full semesters. All grant lengths must be completed by June 2027.
Applicants in all disciplines are invited to apply for teaching or teaching and research awards at universities and specialized institutes.
For more information on specific school and institutional needs, please contact the Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy in Algiers at: Fulbright-Algiers@state.gov.
During their grant period, Fulbright U.S. Scholars in the Middle East and North Africa region may apply for a short-term regional travel grant (three to fourteen 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).
Applicants are encouraged to arrange an affiliation if possible. Please contact the Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy in Algiers at Fulbright-Algiers@state.gov for assistance in establishing communication with possible host institutions.
A letter of invitation will facilitate and expedite the placement process by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. If the applicant is not able to obtain a letter of invitation, the U.S. Embassy will facilitate the placement approval with the Ministry.
U.S. Embassy Algiers recommends that scholars coordinate with host universities and request an invitation letter before the summer break. Faculty and/or administrators may be difficult to reach from June through August. The Embassy and Algerian Ministry of Higher Education also have limited communication with schools during the summer break.
Applicants are encouraged to consult the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) “Can-Do Statements” to determine if they are qualified.
Applicants are encouraged to register qualified language evaluator, such as a language instructor or a translator, to conduct the external assessment in the application. Being a native speaker alone does not qualify an individual to conduct the assessment.
Applicants who are native speakers do not need to complete an external evaluation.
A working knowledge of French or Arabic is useful to function in the community and communicate with host institutions. The Maghrebi dialect “Darija” (Algerian, Moroccan, or Tunisian) will be more helpful for daily life than Modern Standard Arabic.
Applicants at all degree levels will be considered; however, those with a Ph.D. or other terminal degrees will be given priority. The award may be open to M.A./M.S. depending upon area of interest and is subject to the needs of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the host institutions.
Applicants should be knowledgeable of global issues, resourceful, tolerant, and flexible. They must be understanding and respectful of cultural nuances as well as security realities. They must demonstrate the initiative, leadership, and confidence required to advance the teaching of their subject in a foreign setting.
For additional perspective on the overall Algerian higher education and research environment, interested applicants may reach out to Dr. Robert P. Parks at the Center for Maghreb Studies in Algeria (CEMA) (parks@cema-northafrica.org). CEMA is the Overseas Research Center in Algeria of the American Institute for Maghreb Studies (AIMS) and is a member of the Council of American Overseas Research Centers (CAORC).
Applicants needing more information about the higher education system in Algeria, specific institutions, potential contacts, or bringing school-aged dependents, should contact the Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy in Algiers at Fulbright-Algiers@state.gov.
$1,550 for relocation, in-transit, and excess baggage fees.
Plus a round-trip, economy-class, international travel arranged by travel agent selected by IIE.
For Flex grants: round trip travel will be included for each segment of the grant. The relocation, in-transit, and excess baggage allowance will be divided by number of segments.
$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.
For Flex grants: educational materials allowance or research allowance will be divided by number of segments.
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 $600/month.
Round-trip, economy-class, international travel is arranged by travel agent selected by IIE, for up to two dependents. Dependent travel will not be provided for Flex grants.
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.
$1000 for internet fees, notary fee for lease, medical check for residency card, and consulate notary fee.
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.
SUMMARY
The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program in Algeria seeks to strengthen educational and cultural relationships between the U.S. and Algeria, and U.S. Fulbright Scholars to Algeria will find a dynamic, rewarding environment in which to teach and potentially conduct research. As the government seeks to diversify its economy beyond the oil and gas sectors, it is increasingly looking to the United States and other countries for STEM, education, and English-teaching expertise. The large youth population is turning its attention toward U.S. culture and toward English as a global language. This trend is supported by the Algerian Ministries of National Education and Higher Education and Scientific Research as well as university and school administrators. Given this environment and Algerians' seemingly insatiable appetite for English-language leaning, Algeria can be a very rewarding teaching experience for motivated, flexible, and adventurous scholars.
The U.S. Embassy Algiers’ Public Affairs Section manages the Fulbright Program in Algeria. U.S. Scholar placements are negotiated by the Embassy with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, which has central authority over all aspects of higher education in the country. Final awards and placements are contingent upon clearance by the Ministry and the security situation in country.
ACADEMIC LIFE
Algeria is the largest country on the African continent, with a diverse Arab and Amazigh population of 40 million and a mixed Arabic-Darija-Amazigh-French language environment. Higher education is universally free in Algeria, and students are given a stipend as well. Degree programs follow the French-based LMD (license, magistere, doctorat) system. Algeria operates on a Sunday to Thursday work week. However, the increasingly large number of students at certain schools has resulted in the addition of some classes on Saturdays as well. Students, faculty, or administration-led strikes are not uncommon as forms of collective action to draw attention to or advance priorities on certain issues.
DEPENDENTS
Applicants interested in bringing school-aged dependents should contact the Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy. The American International School of Algiers (AISA) can accommodate students up to sixth grade and there are other international schools as well.
SECURITY, TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION
The capital city Algiers is generally considered safe and Embassy staff members travel to other cities in Algeria; however, travel to some areas in Algeria may be subject to review. Please refer to the most recent State Department Travel Advisory for Algeria for more details. All Fulbright grantees must sign an agreement to abide by security and travel guidelines for Algeria.
There is a Metro in the capital of Algiers that serves a few locations downtown. There are also bus systems and two high-speed train routes between Algiers, Oran, Annaba, and Constantine. Taxis and ride hailing apps can be used in Algeria, especially in major cities and areas with good road networks. Renting a car is possible and grantees are advised to bring all the necessary documentation to be able to drive.
HEALTHCARE
The Algerian healthcare system includes primary health care units and centers, general hospitals, university hospitals, and specialist hospitals. There are also a number of privately run clinics and hospitals which can be found in Algiers and other cities along the northern coast.
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