Fulbright Scholar Award

All Disciplines

Montenegro

Application Deadline
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Award Code
271235-ME
Activity Type
Professional Project
The Professional Project Award Activity is an opportunity for applicants to pursue projects that would enhance their professional development and the field at large.Professional Projects may include, but are not limited to: Professional consultations or exchange of expertise with other professionals, Artist residencies, Visits to organizations in the applicant's field, Practical experience in day-to-day operations, Public lectures, Mentoring, Arranging and planning exhibitions, Performances or musical compilations, Participation in public events, Preparation of print materials (books, articles, or reviews).If your project involves classroom teaching, as opposed to public or guest lectures, then please apply for the Teaching Award Activity.If your proposed project answers a research question or will have research outcomes, then please apply for the Research Award Activity.
Research
Research includes activities involving scientific research, qualitative research, quantitative research, and practice-based research, including artistic research. Research can take place in locations such as the laboratory, the field, the archives, or an artist residency. It can be experimental, clinical, or applied. It can include examining policies, systems, theories, methods, interactions, and works of art and music, with the objective to evaluate or develop new knowledge or works. Quantifiable (tangible) outcomes can include publications (books, journal articles, scripts, etc.), conference presentations, artistic and musical compositions, exhibitions, performances, films, and patents.
Teaching
Teaching includes classroom teaching, as well as giving guest lectures, workshops, and seminars, and engaging in other related activities. Classroom teaching is typically at the undergraduate and graduate level, and courses may be designed by the scholar or prescribed by the host institution and may be taught or co-taught by the scholar. The teaching load varies by award, as well as the host institution. Scholars may also consult on building research capacity, advise graduate students, and assist with thesis advising.
Teaching/Research
A combination of teaching and research as described above. Refer to the award description for any specifications on percentages of time that should be devoted to teaching vs research.
Degree Requirements
Not Required
Career Profile
Artists
Awards are open to individuals who have more than seven years of experience in an artistic profession.
Early Career Academics
Awards are open to those who have been working in the capacity of a teacher or scholar for no more than seven years.
Mid-Career Academics
Awards are open to those who have been working in the capacity of a teacher or scholar for more than seven, and less than 13, years.
Professionals
Awards are open to individuals who have more than seven years of experience in a particular profession.
Senior Academics
Awards are open to those who have been working in the capacity of a teacher or scholar for more than 13 years.
Community College Faculty
Community College Faculty

Number of recipients

Approximately
1
Award Start Period
September 2027 or February 2028
Award Length
3 months - 10 months
Flex Option
Yes
This award allows Flex. This option enables applicants to propose multiple short-term stays in the host country over two years if required by their proposed project. Refer to Flex Description below for specific parameters. Plans, goals, and rationale for Flex must be described in Project Statement.
Multi-Country/Area Award
No
Disciplines
Projects are sought in all disciplines
Scholars selected for this award can choose to
Advise and/or mentor students
Assist in faculty, curriculum, and/or program development
Conduct a research project designated by the host institution
Conduct a research project of the applicant’s choosing
Teach graduate and/or undergraduate courses designated by the host institution
Teach graduate and/or undergraduate courses of the applicant’s choosing
Conduct a professional and/or artistic project

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.

Award Activity

Teach courses and/or conduct research in the area of specialization. Consult with or advise students (including graduate students) and faculty, as requested. For Teaching/Research projects, there is no preference as to how scholars divide their time between teaching and research as long as there is a teaching component.

Scholars selected for this grant will be required to attend a mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation in Summer 2027.

Locations
Location Selection: Award must be undertaken at one of the following institutions
Locations Detail

University of Montenegro (https://www.ucg.ac.me/): This is Montenegro’s only public university. Its faculties (sometimes referred to as campuses) are located in different cities across the country:

  1. Podgorica: 

    Faculty of Political Science

    Website: https://www.ucg.ac.me/fpn#lat

    Contact: Professor Danijela Calasan at danijelacalasan@gmail.com

    Faculty of Economics

    Website: https://www.ucg.ac.me/ef

    Contact: Professor Tamara Backovic at tamara.backovic@ucg.ac.me and tassabacc@ucg.ac.me 

    Faculty of Law

    Website: https://www.ucg.ac.me/pf 

    Contact: pravnifakultet@t-com.me; vesnao@ac.me 

    Biotechnical Faculty

    Website: https://www.ucg.ac.me/btf#lat 

    Contact: btf@ucg.ac.me 

    Faculty of Architecture

    Website: https://www.ucg.ac.me/af

    Contact: arhitektura@ucg.ac.me 

    Faculty of Civil Engineering

    Website: https://www.ucg.ac.me/gf

    Contact: gf@ac.me; ssgf@ucg.ac.me 

    Faculty of Electrical Engineering

    Website: https://www.ucg.ac.me/etf

    Contact:  etf@ucg.ac.me

    Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

    Website: https://www.ucg.ac.me/mf

    Contact: radojev@ucg.ac.me

    Faculty of Metallurgy and Technology

    Website: https://www.ucg.ac.me/mtf

    Contact: mtf@ucg.ac.me

    Faculty of Science and Mathematics

    Website: https://www.ucg.ac.me/pmf

    Contact: pmf@ac.me 

    Faculty of Medicine

    Website: https://www.ucg.ac.me/med

    Contact: infomedf@ucg.ac.me 

  2. Kotor: 

    Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality

    Website: https://www.ucg.ac.me/fth

    Contact: fth@ucg.ac.me 

    Faculty of Maritime Studies

    Website: https://www.ucg.ac.me/pfkotor

    Contact: pfkotor@ucg.ac.me 

  3. Cetinje: 

    Faculty of Dramatic Arts

    Website: https://www.ucg.ac.me/fdu

    Contact: irenavuk@ucg.ac.me

    Faculty of Fine Arts

    Website: https://www.ucg.ac.me/flu 

    Contact: flu@ucg.ac.me

    Music Academy

    Website: https://www.ucg.ac.me/ma

    Contact: ma@ucg.ac.me 

  4. Niksic: 

    Faculty of Philology (Departments: English Language, Russian, Italian, French, German)

    Website: https://www.ucg.ac.me/fil

    Contact: filoloski@ucg.ac.me

    Faculty of Philosophy (Psychology, Sociology, History, Geography, Physical Culture, History, and Pedagogy)

    Website: https://www.ucg.ac.me/ff

    Contact: ff@ucg.ac.me

Interested applicants must contact potential host institutions directly.  If you have difficulty reaching a host faculty member or have questions, please email the Embassy at PodgoricaExchanges@state.gov and cc: janketicm2@state.gov.

In your introductory email to the potential host institution, clearly explain the program (Fulbright U.S. Scholar), your project idea, and specify the assistance you need.  Before reaching out, gather as much information as possible from the institution’s website (see above) to ensure your inquiry is specific and well-informed.  Please note that the university and its faculties often do not have designated staff familiar with this program.  Be persistent in your efforts to establish initial contact and consider proposing a Zoom call as an efficient way to discuss your Fulbright project in detail with the potential host institution.

Award Length and Period

Three to ten months. For Flex grants, see Flex Option section.

One-semester grants must start in either September 2027 or February 2028; two-semester grants must start in September 2027. Flex grants must be completed by September 30, 2028.

Flex

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.

Flex awards are offered for Teaching, Teaching/Research and Research grants.

 

Flex allowed for only the following activity type(s):
Research
Teaching
Teaching/Research
Segments may be proposed for up to a 2 year period
3 Segments may be proposed
Grant segments are allowed to be conducted in summer months (June, July, and August)
No
Minimum total award length is 4 month(s)
Maximum total award length is 6 month(s)
*Total award length is the total length (duration) of all segments and does not include time between segments.
Areas of Interest

Preferences include, but are not limited to: political science, journalism, arts, tourist industry, maritime law, American literature and civilization, marketing and economics, accounting, public health, mechanical engineering.

Special Features

Unique opportunities are available for U.S. political scientists, international relations and diplomacy specialists, and journalists to affiliate with the Faculty of Political Science at the University of Montenegro in Podgorica. This institution trains Montenegro’s next generation of diplomats, politicians, and journalists.

All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).

Citizenship/Residency Requirement
Not applicable – all U.S. citizens are eligible to apply, regardless of dual citizenship or residency.
Invitation Requirement
An invitation letter is preferred.
Invitation Requirement Additional Information

University of Montenegro (https://www.ucg.ac.me/): This is Montenegro’s only public university. Its faculties (sometimes referred to as campuses) are located in different cities across the country:

  1. Podgorica: 

    Faculty of Political Science

    Website: https://www.ucg.ac.me/fpn#lat

    Contact: Professor Danijela Calasan at danijelacalasan@gmail.com

    Faculty of Economics

    Website: https://www.ucg.ac.me/ef

    Contact: Professor Tamara Backovic at tamara.backovic@ucg.ac.me and tassabacc@ucg.ac.me 

    Faculty of Law

    Website: https://www.ucg.ac.me/pf 

    Contact: pravnifakultet@t-com.me; vesnao@ac.me 

    Biotechnical Faculty

    Website: https://www.ucg.ac.me/btf#lat 

    Contact: btf@ucg.ac.me 

    Faculty of Architecture

    Website: https://www.ucg.ac.me/af

    Contact: arhitektura@ucg.ac.me 

    Faculty of Civil Engineering

    Website: https://www.ucg.ac.me/gf

    Contact: gf@ac.me; ssgf@ucg.ac.me 

    Faculty of Electrical Engineering

    Website: https://www.ucg.ac.me/etf

    Contact:  etf@ucg.ac.me

    Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

    Website: https://www.ucg.ac.me/mf

    Contact: radojev@ucg.ac.me

    Faculty of Metallurgy and Technology

    Website: https://www.ucg.ac.me/mtf

    Contact: mtf@ucg.ac.me

    Faculty of Science and Mathematics

    Website: https://www.ucg.ac.me/pmf

    Contact: pmf@ac.me 

    Faculty of Medicine

    Website: https://www.ucg.ac.me/med

    Contact: infomedf@ucg.ac.me 

  2. Kotor: 

    Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality

    Website: https://www.ucg.ac.me/fth

    Contact: fth@ucg.ac.me 

    Faculty of Maritime Studies

    Website: https://www.ucg.ac.me/pfkotor

    Contact: pfkotor@ucg.ac.me 

  3. Cetinje: 

    Faculty of Dramatic Arts

    Website: https://www.ucg.ac.me/fdu

    Contact: irenavuk@ucg.ac.me

    Faculty of Fine Arts

    Website: https://www.ucg.ac.me/flu 

    Contact: flu@ucg.ac.me

    Music Academy

    Website: https://www.ucg.ac.me/ma

    Contact: ma@ucg.ac.me 

  4. Niksic: 

    Faculty of Philology (Departments: English Language, Russian, Italian, French, German)

    Website: https://www.ucg.ac.me/fil

    Contact: filoloski@ucg.ac.me

    Faculty of Philosophy (Psychology, Sociology, History, Geography, Physical Culture, History, and Pedagogy)

    Website: https://www.ucg.ac.me/ff

    Contact: ff@ucg.ac.me

Interested applicants must contact potential host institutions directly.  If you have difficulty reaching a host faculty member or have questions, please email the Embassy at PodgoricaExchanges@state.gov and cc: janketicm2@state.gov.

In your introductory email to the potential host institution, clearly explain the program (Fulbright U.S. Scholar), your project idea, and specify the assistance you need.  Before reaching out, gather as much information as possible from the institution’s website (see above) to ensure your inquiry is specific and well-informed.  Please note that the university and its faculties often do not have designated staff familiar with this program.  Be persistent in your efforts to establish initial contact and consider proposing a Zoom call as an efficient way to discuss your Fulbright project in detail with the potential host institution.

Language Proficiency Requirements
None, English is sufficient. However, feasibility of conducting the project must be demonstrated in the project statement
Additional Language Requirement

Knowledge of the local language is not required.  However, even basic proficiency can greatly facilitate daily interactions with students and life outside the classroom.

For research projects, applicants who do not speak the local language must clearly demonstrate the feasibility of their proposed work in their project statement.  This must be based on consultations with the prospective host institution to ensure that language barriers will not impede the successful completion of the project.

Additional Qualification Information

Preference will be given to applicants who hold a Ph.D.  However, professionals with university-level teaching experience are also strongly encouraged to apply.

Additional Comments

If you have any questions, please email the U.S. Embassy in Podgorica: PodgoricaExchanges@state.gov, cc: janketicm2@state.gov .

You may be asked to participate in an interview as part of the in-country selection process.

Interview Requirements

Depending on the number and quality of applications received, the Embassy may invite selected candidates to participate in online interviews conducted in English.

Award Allowances

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.

Researcher and Professional Project Monthly Allowances
$3970
$3970
Teaching or Teaching/Research Award Monthly Allowances
$4740
$4960
Estimated Travel and Relocation Allowance for Grantee

$4,570

For Flex grants: round trip travel will be included for each segment of the grant for the grantee only. 

Estimated Book and Research Allowance

$1,500 books and educational materials allowance for teaching and teaching/research grants; should be donated to the host institution (or other entity) upon grantee's departure.

Do you offer additional dependent benefits
Yes

Additional living and housing allowance is provided for grantees with one accompanying dependent or two or more accompanying dependents. These amounts range from $300/month to $550/month.

In addition, travel allowances are provided for dependents: $2,000 for one dependent, and $4,000 for two or more 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.

Montenegro

What is life like for Fulbrighters in your country?

Montenegro is renowned for its stunning landscapes, from ski-worthy mountains to the picturesque Adriatic coast. The country faces an economic divide, with the capital city and coastal towns generally more prosperous than the northern regions. 

Montenegro joined NATO in 2017 and continues to pursue EU membership, though further progress is needed, especially in strengthening the rule of law. The parliamentary elections in August 2020 marked a historic shift, resulting in the first change of political power since the introduction of a multiparty system in the early 1990s.

Three universities are based in Podgorica, with additional departments located in the student towns of Cetinje and Niksic, both about a 45-minute drive from the capital.

Academic fields of particular significance and interest include political science, journalism, the arts, tourism, maritime law, American literature and civilization, marketing and economics, accounting, public health, and mechanical engineering. Preference will be given to teaching and research proposals from U.S. faculty in these fields, especially those focusing on higher education administration, American culture, the rule of law, combating crime and corruption, civil society, women’s empowerment, expanding economic opportunities (particularly in northern Montenegro), the hospitality industry, public health, and youth issues.

Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.