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 courses, conduct research, or carry out a combination of teaching and research activities.
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 and agreement between the scholar and the host institution.
There is a strong preference for curriculum development and program design, and student mentoring in research. Hosts will provide opportunities for the awardee to speak to local audiences and/or the media about their area of research.
More information about teaching and/or research proposals available on Fulbright's application guidance page.
Possible host institutions include, but are not limited to:
4-9 months
Host institutions prefer to host scholars based on the academic year (October - June). Any teaching component must correspond with the length of the academic calendar in Kuwait. All grant lengths must be completed by June 2027. The academic calendar may be adjusted around Islamic and local holidays.
For Flex grants, see Flex Description.
Scholars can arrange directly with host institutions to have flex grants, which allows them to divide their research duration over specific periods of time over two years (for example, three / four months each year) to cover their full duration of research.
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.
Political Studies, Economic Studies, Environment, STEM, Cybersecurity
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. Scholars who apply for the Flex award are ineligible for the Regional Travel Program.
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
Interested applicants are encouraged to establish contact with potential host institutions, which should be done as early as possible. Faculty and/or administrators in Kuwait may be difficult to reach from June through August. Please contact the Public Affairs Section of U.S. Embassy, Kuwait, at PASKuwaitM@state.gov, for assistance in facilitating contact with the host institution. Please note that academic institutions have high preference for academics with doctoral degrees.
For research, Arabic or other applicable language proficiency sufficient to complete the research project is required; applicants must complete the language proficiency evaluation. Applicants without Arabic or other applicable language proficiency must demonstrate the feasibility of conducting research in English in the proposal.
For teaching activities: Ph.D. is required.
For education administration and curriculum development activities: advanced degree and substantial professional experience required.
$2,950 for relocation, in-transit, excess baggage fees, and visa related costs.
Plus, one round-trip, economy-class, international travel arranged by travel agent selected by IIE.
Please note that Kuwait does not provide residency permits. For grants longer than three months, Fulbrighters will need to plan to leave the country every three months and re-enter to renew the tourist visa.
For Flex grants: round trip travel will be included for each segment of the grant. The relocation, in-transit, excess baggage and visa 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 (monthly) allowance is provided for grantees with one accompanying dependent or two or more accompanying dependents. These amounts range from $492/month to $1024/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.
Please note that Kuwait does not provide residency permits. For dependents accompanying grantees on grant durations over three months, dependents will need to plan to leave the country every three months and re-enter to renew the tourist visa.
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.
The estimated cost of living for a Fulbright scholar residing in Kuwait can vary based on several factors such as housing, transportation, food, and personal expenses. As of the latest available data, here is a general breakdown of the estimated monthly costs in USD:
These estimates are subject to change based on inflation, personal lifestyle, and specific circumstances. It is advisable to check for the most current data and possibly consult with current or recent Fulbright scholars in Kuwait for more precise figures.
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 Kuwait
In 2020, the population of Kuwait was estimated to be 4,464,521 people, according to the Kuwait General Statistical Bureau. 1.3 million are Kuwaitis and 3.2 are expatriates. The society is made up of different ethnic groups, including expats from western, Asian, and Arab countries. English is widely spoken.
Kuwait lies in the northwestern part of the Arabian Gulf. Its north-west borders are with Iraq, and its south and south-west borders are with Saudi Arabia. Its shores of the Arabian Gulf lie on the east. Kuwait has a continental climate characterized by its dry, hot, long summer, and a short, warm winter with occasional rainfall. Dust storms often occur during the summer months. (Source: Kuwait Government Online)
Visa
Fulbright awardees cannot obtain a one-year residency in Kuwait, but they can enter the country with a tourist visa and stay for three months. Grantees must depart Kuwait and re-enter to get a new tourist visa that lasts for three months. The visa cannot be renewed in the country.
A visa is issued free of charge upon arrival and lasts for three months. The tourist visa is a single-entry visa. Once the holder of the visa has departed Kuwait, the visa will be cancelled even if he/she has not stayed for the whole 90 days. At the same time of return, the grantee will be issued a new tourist visa (good for another 90 days of stay).
Housing
The U.S. Embassy will not be able to assist Fulbright grantees in securing housing, however there are useful links for property renting mobile applications provided in the handbook. Grantees should check with the host institution for advice. For temporary housing, a list of hotel apartments are available in Kuwait by visiting www.e.gov.kw, Visitors > Tourism In Kuwait > Hotels and Resorts.
Economy
Kuwait’s economy is based on oil. Its currency, the Kuwaiti dinar, is the highest-valued unit of money in the world. There are non-petroleum industries such as financial services. The country is home to a large wealth-management industry. According to the World Bank, Kuwait is in the top-10 of the wealthiest countries in the world (per capita). (Source: Nationsonline.com)
Arts and Culture
There are significant cultural establishments and museums that inform visitors about the rich history of Kuwait, including modern museums at Al-Shaheed Park, Kuwait’s largest urban park, and the memorial museum. Other large modern establishments include Jaber Al-Ahmed Cultural Center and Abdullah Alsalem Cultural Center. Dar Al-Athar Al-Islamiyyah, Bait Al-Sadu, and Tareq Rajab Museum are also highlights of Kuwait’s cultural scene. Cultural establishments are managed by the Ministry of Information and Culture.
Kuwait has some of the best top-class shopping malls in the world that include an impressive variety of international brands. Some of the well-known shopping destinations are the Avenues Mall, Marina Mall, and 360 Mall. For more information about art and culture in Kuwait, please visit http://www.kuwaitculture.com/.
Schooling Options for Dependents
The academic year in Kuwait runs from September to June. There might be changes in the academic year’s time frame due to COVID-19. Information on international schools in Kuwait and their fees are available on their respective websites.
Transportation
Taxi services are the best option for transportation. Grantees can install the app Careem, which is similar to Uber. Some grantees have also used the bus. The bus is rarely used by Kuwaitis and is usually used by the young population (males) that do not own cars or other expat workers.
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.
In very limited circumstances, a government or a private university might offer housing in a university-sponsored campus. The scholar must check with the university if this offer is available. Other universities may advise on convenient housing near the host institution. Upon arrival, researchers usually stay in furnished apartments or hotels until they secure suitable apartments.