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.
The Scholar is expected to teach courses to undergraduate and graduate students (the exact hours, teaching load, and responsibilities will be negotiated directly with the host institution), perform collaborative research in cooperation with the host institution, and upon request of the host, provide advice for professional curriculum building, student advising, and supervision. Artists and professionals must follow the teaching or teaching/research activity requirements; however, artistic and professional projects are welcome during their grant.
For teaching/research grants, no less than 30% of the grant activity should be dedicated to teaching or teaching-related activities.
Scholars selected for this grant will be required to attend a mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation in Summer 2026.
Applicants are encouraged to affiliate with one of the institutions listed in the Areas of Interest section.
Three to nine months
One-semester grants must begin in September/October/November 2026 or January/February/March 2027; two-semester grants must begin in September/October/November 2026. Depending on the host flexibility, grant dates might be flexible but are reviewed case-by-case.
Applicants are encouraged to affiliate with one of the following institutions:
University of Tartu, https://ut.ee/en
All UT contacts are available also on the main page, https://ut.ee/en
General points of contact: kristi.kerge@ut.ee Kristi Kerge (Head of International Cooperation); eveli.soo@ut.ee Evelin Soo (Head of International Marketing), sirje.uprus@ut.ee Sirje Üprus (International Cooperation)
UT Research portal: https://ut.ee/en/research
TalTech Tallinn University of Technology, https://taltech.ee/en/
General points of contact: Reio Karu (Head of International Cooperation) - Reijo.karu@taltech.ee, Anna-Maria Nizovtseva, (International Cooperation Coordinator) - maria.nizovtseva@taltech.ee; Kersti Vähi (Chief Officer of Research and Development Projects) - Kersti.vahi@taltech.ee; Anu Johannes (Officer of Research and Development) - anu.johannes@taltech.ee.
TalTech Research portal: https://taltech.ee/en/main-information-0
Tallinn University, https://www.tlu.ee/en
General points of contact: anete.elken@tlu.ee Anete Elken, Senior Specialist for International Cooperation, Strategy Office
Tallinn University Research Administration Office: https://www.tlu.ee/en/taxonomy/term/94/contact-us
Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, https://eamt.ee/en/
General points of contact: hanneleen.pihlak@eamt.ee, Hanneleen Pihlak, International Relations Coordinator; kai.kiiv@eamt.ee, Kai Kiiv, International Relations Specialist
Estonian Academy of Arts, https://www.artun.ee/en/home/
General point of contact: international@artun.ee, Sandra.mell@artun.ee, Sandra Mell, International Relations Specialist
Research portal of the Estonian Academy of Arts: https://www.artun.ee/en/research-and-development/research/research-at-eka/
Estonian University of Life Sciences, https://www.emu.ee/en
General point of contact: International Relations Officer Eve-Liis Abner, eve-liis.abroi@emu.ee; https://www.emu.ee/en/about-the-university/contact/ and Vice Rector Endla Reintam, Endla.Reintam@emu.ee
Estonian University of Life Sciences Research portal: https://www.emu.ee/en/research/
Estonian Aviation Academy, https://www.lennuakadeemia.ee/en
General point of contact: Vice rector Maiken Kull, maiken.kull@eava.ee
Dr. Ilya Buynevich (Associate Professor of Earth and Environmental Science, Temple University) spent three months in Estonia in 2022. During his time, he not only researched and taught coastal geology, but he also engaged with local audiences – both in schools and on public platforms – to talk about the United States, academics, and the Fulbright program. His experience is not a stand-alone – interested Fulbright participants have ample opportunities to engage with many audiences in Estonia! The U.S. Embassy Public Diplomacy Section is happy to help plan and support outreach activities.
Dr Brian Baer spent four months in Estonia at the University of Tartu in spring 2024, where he taught, researched and lectured on literature translation and semiotics. In cooperation with the PD Section for the US Embassy, Dr Baer, (Professor of Russian and Translation Studies at Kent State University) traveled to Narva in spring 204, where he led a public evening event at Narva American Space at Narva Central library to a mixed gender and age audience of about 40 people, taking about his work and experience as a translator from Russian to English and its intricacies, as well as his academic work in the U.S., Estonia and (previously) Russia. The next day, Professor Baer replicated the success at Sillamäe Library to 25 eager visitors who gave up their lunch hour to lister to the professor.
Both engagements received significant media interest resulting in a Public Broadcasting Company’s Russian-language ETV+ on-camera interview and Russian-language Radio 4 interview, as well and national Russian-language Delfi online interview and two Russian-language local papers stories (Narvskaja Gazeta and Sillamjaeski Vestnik).
These are just a few examples of the many ways you can enrich your Fulbright Scholar experience while in Estonia – and the Embassy is here to help you thrive!
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
Successful applicants will present a letter of invitation from the host institution. The U.S. Embassy in Tallinn may be able to assist with sharing appropriate contacts in addition to those provided in the award description. The Embassy PoC is Jane Susi, SusiJ@state.gov.
All teaching will be in English.
For research, language proficiency sufficient to complete the proposed project is required. Applicants should address how they intend to conduct their project in the relevant language in their project statement.
Both academic and professional applicants must have at least three years of teaching experience at a university, college or community college at the time of application. Teaching assistantships do not count toward this three-year requirement.
Professional applicants and artists with the required teaching experience will be considered and evaluated by the host institution case by case.
$3,750
$750 books and educational materials allowance; 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 $150/month to $300/month. In addition, a travel allowance of $2,500 is provided for one dependent and $5,000 for two or more accompanying 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.
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.
Estonia is a small Northern European country that has embraced new technologies and has seen tremendous development since regaining independence in 1991. The country may be best known as the birthplace of Skype, but since then many other start-ups founded here have gone global like Bolt, Wise, and Pipedrive. Estonia’s vibrant and innovative start-up culture is part of the reason it ranks among the most wired and technologically advanced countries in the world and is a leader in promoting Internet freedom. Most recently, Estonia has become a leader in providing e-government services, online voting and is now even offering e-residency.
The capital city, Tallinn, was the European Green Capital in 2023, and the university town Tartu was the European Capital of Culture in 2024. Tallinn’s medieval Old Town is brimming with charm and is full of restaurants, cafes, and cultural activities. Estonia’s belief in free speech contributes to its high freedom of press rankings. In 2023, Reporters Without Borders put the country 8th in its World Press Freedom index.
Estonia has six public universities--all of which are home and host institutions to Fulbright participants. Additionally, Estonia has one private university, five private professional education institutions, and eight state professional education institutions. Interesting insight into Estonia is provided in this privately published online magazine. More about the higher education structure in Estonia can be found at the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research page.
The academic year runs from September through June with January and June usually being reserved for examinations; there is also a two-week winter holiday. Teaching is in English and opportunities exist for research, especially in collaboration with Estonian scholars. Applicants can contact Fulbright staff at the U.S. Embassy in Estonia for further information to find additional contacts to those provided in award descriptions. There are ample opportunities for engagements throughout the country via the U.S. Embassy’s American Spaces program, and EducationUSA Advising Centre at the Tallinn University of Technology.
English language education for dependents is available in Estonia in Tallinn and Tartu. In recent years, the Fulbright Program has been unable to provide tuition assistance for English language private schools.
For further information, please contact Public Engagement Specialist at the Public Affairs Section, Jane Susi (SusiJ@state.gov) at the U.S. Embassy in Estonia.
Vanessa Ruget (Fulbright Scholar in Tartu, 2025) - (Political Science)vruget@salemstate.edu
Brian Baer (Fulbright Scholar in Tartu, 2024) - bbaer@kent.edu (Translation and Semiotics)
Jules Yimga (Fulbright Scholar in Tartu, 2023) - yimgaj@erau.edu (Aviation Economics)
Andrea Wollensak (Fulbright Scholar in Tallinn, 2023) - ajwol@conncoll.edu (Service Design and Visual Communication)
Ilya Buynevich (Fulbright Scholar in Tallinn, 2022) - coast@temple.edu (Geology)
Dawn Edminston (Fulbright Scholar in Tallinn, 2021) - dawn.edmiston@mason.wm.edu (Marketing and Advertising)
Rhonda Petree (Fulbright Scholar to Narva College of the University of Tartu in 2019) - rhondapetree@uwalumni.com (English Language Pedagogy)
Brenda Morton (Fulbright Scholar to University of Tartu in 2018) - bmorton@umhb.edu (Special Education and Pedagogy)
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.
Applicants are encouraged to contact indicated host institutions to arrange an affiliation. If necessary, the U.S. Embassy in Tallinn can help to arrange an affiliation with one of the listed institutions.
For detailed information about specific institutional requests, contact U.S. Embassy Public Engagement Specialist Jane Susi, susij@state.gov.