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.
Applicants may propose research projects or a combination of teaching/research in any discipline. We typically expect a ratio of about 40% teaching to 60% research. Applicants are also welcome to apply for professional projects.
4 months for non-Flex awards. 3 - 6 months for Flex awards. (Please see the Flex Description section for additional details on Flex award parameters.)
Grants should preferably begin in August 2026. September 2026 is also an option. For Flex grants, see the Flex Option section. We typically recommend that Fulbright Scholars in The Bahamas time their program to coincide with the university academic year, which nearly matches the U.S. academic year (starting in August, and ending in June).
Though applicants may propose to begin their programs in the spring semester (January 2027), they must demonstrate the concurrence of the host institution and a justification as to why they are choosing to start half-way through the academic year.
All US Scholars to the Bahamas are required to attend a pre-departure orientation, which typically takes place in early to mid-July, prior to beginning their Fulbright grant.
Flex awards are offered for teaching/research, research only grants and professional projects.
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.
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
None.
$2,350
For Flex grants, round-trip travel will be included for each segment of the grant for the scholar only. Dependent travel will not be provided for Flex scholars.
$1,000 books and educational materials allowance for teaching and teaching/research grants; these materials should be donated to the host institution or other entity upon scholar's departure.
$300 - $500 research allowance for research-only grants.
Additional living and housing allowance is provided for grantees with one accompanying dependent or two or more accompanying dependents. These amounts range from $450/month to $900/month.
In addition, travel allowances are provided for up to two dependents. These amounts range from $1,000 - $2,000.
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.
Housing Costs - $2,000 - $3,000 per month rental. Utilities - $400 - $600 per month. Cell Phone Plans available starting at $40.00 per month. Day to Day Expenses - Groceries $200 - $400 per week. Transportation - Public Transit Available ($2.00 per trip), Private Vehicle Recommended. Rental cars available for $70-$100 per day. You may use an online cost-of-living calculator to compare the differences.
During their grant period, Fulbright U.S. Scholars in the Western Hemisphere (WHA) region may apply for a short-term regional travel grant for activities such as workshops, seminars, presentations, lectures, performances, exhibits, curricular advising and similar projects at institutions in eligible WHA countries. (Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados and Eastern Caribbean, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago and Uruguay).
The Regional Travel Program covers travel to and from the destination; lodging may be offered by the host institution. Scholars may only apply for this grant once they are in country on their Fulbright grant. Scholars who apply for the Flex award are ineligible for the Regional Travel Program. Additional information can be found on the Regional Travel Program website.
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 University of The Bahamas (UB) is the national public institution of higher education in The Commonwealth of The Bahamas with campuses throughout the archipelago. The main campus is located in the capital city of Nassau on the island of New Providence. The university offers primarily undergraduate and some graduate programs, with a focus on increasing research and innovation activities as well as work in areas crucial to national development. UB is a unique, multi-campus community that includes the main campus on New Providence, as well as the Northern Bahamas Campus on Grand Bahama and satellite centers in Abaco, Exuma and Andros. Students are enrolled in a broad range of academic disciplines in the faculties of business, social and educational studies, pure and applied sciences, liberal and fine arts and in the Culinary and Hospitality Management Institute. In addition to offering collaborative graduate degree programs in education, pharmacy, law and maritime studies, among others, UB’s own master’s degree programs include the MBA and the M.Sc. in Reading.
Short-term flex grants in teaching/research or research may be proposed. Flex programs may be divided into one-to-three month segments and must be completed in no more than two years.
The Government of The Bahamas requires non-citizens/residents to receive a work permit before beginning their Fulbright grant. The institution will be responsible for liaising with government offices for the work permit process and must invest in the required fees to benefit from the services of the incoming scholar.
As you prepare your Fulbright application, please review the CDC Website for The Bahamas, as well as U.S. Embassy Nassau's website https://bs.usembassy.gov/ for health and safety updates.
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.
Applicants should contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance. U.S. Embassy Nassau point of contact:
Lisa Moxey, Tel: 1-242-322-1181 ext. 4220; Email: MoxeyEA@state.gov
Exploring the UB website may be helpful.