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.
Teaching might include co-teaching, guest lectures, workshops and seminars. Grantee will be expected to teach at undergraduate and graduate levels, advise students, assist with faculty and curriculum development, support students conducting research, engage in activities at Baku American Center, and other public lectures or trainings.
For Teaching/Research grants, no more than 50% of the grant activity should be related to research.
For Professional or Artistic Projects in the scholar's area of expertise, projects may include professional consultations, mentoring, preparation of print materials (books, articles, reviews), exchange of experience with other professionals, regional outreach, participation in public events, and delivery of public lectures. Professionals can be affiliated with non-government organizations in their area of expertise.
Scholars selected for this grant will be required to attend a mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation in Summer 2026.
Higher education institutions in the capital city, Baku, and the regions of Ganja, Sumgayit, Lenkaran and Nakhchivan. Post gives preference to placing scholars in public universities over private universities.
Higher Education in Azerbaijan
Large Public and Private Universities located in Baku:
Regional Universities:
Artists and professionals may be affiliated with non-academic institutions including non-governmental organizations and art centers.
Four months for one-semester grants or nine months for academic-year grants. For Flex grants, see Flex Options box.
September-December 2026 (excluding examination period) for fall-semester grants; February-May 2027 for spring-semester grants; mid-September 2026-June 2027 for academic-year grants.
Flex awards are offered for teaching and teaching/research grants.
Flex grants may begin any month except for the summer months (June, July, and August).
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.
Host universities will work with grantees to identify appropriate housing within their budgets and other logistics.
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
The letter is optional as the Embassy prefers scholars to be flexible during the placement period and will arrange host institution affiliation for scholars who do not secure a letter of invitation. For additional information, please contact U.S. Embassy Baku at bakueducation@state.gov
Most of the public and private universities in Azerbaijan have departments and programs taught in English. Conversational Azerbaijani, Turkish or Russian is recommended, but not required. For research, language proficiency sufficient to complete the proposed project is highly recommended. When applicable, applicants should submit the Self Evaluation section of the Language Proficiency Report. For applicants without local language proficiency, feasibility of conducting the project must be demonstrated in the project statement.
Professional candidates must have at least 2-3 years of relevant experience. Adjunct and community college faculty members are encouraged to apply.
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.
$4,050
For Flex grants: round trip travel will be included for each segment of the grant for the grantee only.
$1,000 books and educational materials allowance for teaching awards; 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 $200/month to $400/month. In addition, travel allowances are provided for up to two dependents: $3,000 for one accompanying dependent, and $6,000 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.
Currency
The Azerbaijani manat is the official currency of Azerbaijan. The currency code is AZN, and its symbol is ₼. Travelers can exchange their U.S. dollars for Azerbaijani Manat at banks, exchange offices, or use ATMs in Azerbaijan. Average Monthly Net Salary after tax can reach around $380 (646 AZN). A single person’s estimated monthly costs are around $505 (860 AZN) without rent in Baku, while in the regions this can vary but is significantly less. The cost of living in Azerbaijan is, on average, 58.7% lower than in United States; Baku is 66.2% less expensive than Washington (not considering rent).
If you’re paying in a small shop or convenience store, you’ll need to use cash. Bank cards aren’t widely accepted outside of Baku. You’ll need to be sure to take all the cash you’ll need with you should you leave the capital, as ATMs are few and far between outside of Baku but are located in most major towns and cities.
Transportation
In Baku, residents use the Baku Card (https://bakikart.az/ ) for subway and bus travel both as a plastic card and via a mobile app. After you get your card, you can top up as many amounts as you want similar to transport pay-as-you-go systems in other global cities. However, some buses may not have card systems, requiring cash instead. A one-way ticket for the local transport (bus/metro) is 0.40 AZN ($0.23), monthly pass is for 30.00 AZN ($17.59). Many people use the ride-share application Bolt to get around, both inside Baku and in other cities, as well as inter-city travel. In Baku, Bolt fares range between 1.5 – 3 AZN ($1-2.50), making this option the safest while being reasonably affordable.
Rent
Rent in Azerbaijan is, on average, 82.7% lower than in United States. A 1 bedroom apartment in Baku’s city center ranges between 582-700 AZN ($340-412). In regional cities, this can vary greatly but is less expensive than Baku. Apartments are usually furnished since the previous occupants, or the landlord leave the basic furnishings. Air conditioning and heating is usually provided.
Phone and the Internet
Major mobile providers in Azerbaijan include Bakcell, Nar, and Azercell, each offering detailed price plans and a comprehensive list of services on their websites. Many apartment rentals in Azerbaijan typically include cable and internet services. On average, monthly mobile phone plans with calls and 10 GB+ data cost around 21.48 AZN (12.60 USD), while internet services alone average around 27.13 AZN (15.91 USD). Keep in mind that these prices may vary, and it's advisable to check with the specific service providers for the most up-to-date information.
Food
Azerbaijani cuisine is rich and diverse, featuring a variety of flavorful dishes. Known for its use of aromatic herbs, grilled meats, and pilaf (plov), Azerbaijani food reflects a fusion of Middle Eastern, Persian, and Central Asian culinary influences. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs 15 AZN ($8.80), and at a mid-range restaurant could range between 22-34 AZN ($13-20). While meat is a central part of any Azerbaijani meal, vegetarian options such as salads, vegetarian omelets, grilled vegetables, soups and other dishes are usually available. Supermarkets are usually easy to access and local produce is much more affordable than in the United States.
Entertainment
Admission fees for tourist attractions and historical sites in Azerbaijan typically start at 1 AZN (0.59 USD). The cost may vary based on factors such as student status, nationality, or citizenship. Concert ticket prices typically range from 20 to 30 AZN (11.73 to 17.59 USD), varying based on factors such as the performer and venue. Meanwhile, theater tickets start at 5 to 10 AZN (2.93 to 5.87 USD), reflecting the diverse pricing based on different theaters and performances. Via this website you can find a variety of concerts, theaters, tourist attractions and more, and purchase an online ticket https://iticket.az/en/
Healthcare
There are modern health facilities in Azerbaijan, although more limited outside of Baku. Most specialized clinics and hospitals are in Baku. Only Azerbaijan citizens have access to free healthcare in the country, so foreigners will need to secure their own health insurance policies. Healthcare in Azerbaijan is provided by public and private healthcare institutions and regulated through the Ministry of Health. For more detailed information about healthcare options, costs and procedures, it is advisable to consult the Embassy and individual health insurance companies. They can provide comprehensive details about healthcare expenses and the application process.
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.
About Azerbaijan and Bilateral Relations: At the crossroads of the Middle East, Central Asia and Europe, Azerbaijan is bordered by the Caspian Sea and Caucasus Mountains, which span Asia and Europe. It is a secular state with a Muslim-majority population. Azerbaijan has a multifaceted history, including two periods of independence bracketing seven decades in which it was part of the Soviet Union.
Background on Education in Azerbaijan: Azerbaijan is a secular constitutional democracy, in which the President holds ultimate executive authority and Parliament serves as an administrative power in which the Ministry of Science and Education and the Cabinet of Ministers govern the centralized education system. While educational strategies, amendments, and legislative matters regarding education are controlled by the Cabinet of Ministers, the Ministry of Science and Education (led by a Fulbright alumnus) is the primary entity responsible for development and implementation of state-wide educational policies.
In Azerbaijan, “university” refers to a four-year entity offering a Bachelor's (Bakalvr) as well as Master’s (Magistr) degree, while “colleges” offer two-year vocational education. Management responsibilities within each higher education institution are divided between appointed rector, vice-rector, and departmental deans. Most public and private universities have departments and programs in English. Although higher education in Azerbaijan is based on the Soviet model and many of the institutions still have structures and operations based on the Soviet system, educational modernization is a priority at the government and university level, making this an exciting period to engage with Azerbaijan’s education sector. Efforts at engaging in the Bologna process and Erasmus have aided student mobility to Europe, and many institutions are building partnerships with Western universities. Universities are highly interested in international partnerships, an interest that creates opportunities for forging linkages. For example, a recent Fulbright Scholar initiated fruitful discussions on a joint-degree program between his American home institution and his Baku-based host university.
Recent developments in the Higher Education system: Azerbaijan has implemented significant changes to its higher-education system to address accessibility, quality, and global competitiveness. The government is working to make higher education more accessible and aims to increase the number of foreign students in the country to 20,000 by enhancing international collaborations and providing opportunities for student exchange program. The State Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (TKTA) has introduced updated accreditation standards that emphasize stakeholder involvement, including students and labor market representatives, in the evaluation of higher education institutions. These measures align with international practices but face challenges, such as overly complex criteria that are being streamlined. Universities are encouraged to revise curricula to meet the needs of a dynamic labor market. Additionally, the appointment and management of board members in education governance are being updated to ensure transparency and efficiency. This year Times Higher Education (THE) started a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Science and Education, who wants to develop some Azerbaijani universities into world-class research-intensive institutions and boost the global standing of its higher education sector. THE will carry out a thorough, detailed and comprehensive data-driven analysis of Azerbaijani higher education and provide in-depth analysis of Azerbaijan’s universities, developing national and individual strategies to support their future success.
Helpful Links:
Recent alumni:
Jacqueline Stephen, Education, stephen_js@mercer.edu
Elnur Gajiev, Psychology, salam@dr-el.com
Lincoln Nemetz-Carlson, Architecture, lnemetzcarls@umass.edu
Besiki Stvilia, Information Science, bstvilia@fsu.edu
Dr. Nabil Al-Tikriti, email: naltikri@umw.edu, Global Education Colloquium, May 2020
Dr. Heather DeHaan, email: hdehaan@binghamton.edu
Dr. Ali Nejat, email: ali.nejat@ttu.edu
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.
The best way to obtain a letter of invitation from an institution is through its international offices or university faculty. The Vice-Rector for International Affairs is the best contact to set up a connection with an institution if no other faculty contacts are available.