Fulbright Scholar Award

All Disciplines

Madagascar

Application Deadline
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Award Code
271255-MG
Activity Type
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
Required
Career Profile
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.
Senior Academics
Awards are open to those who have been working in the capacity of a teacher or scholar for more than 13 years.

Number of recipients

Approximately
5
Award Start Period
November 2027 - December 2027
Award Length
9 months
Flex Option
No
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 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

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 undergraduate and graduate courses and conduct research in area of specialization. May also engage in any of the following activities: provide tutorials and thesis and dissertation advising; prepare doctoral students for research work and academic conferences; assist with conferences and curricular development 

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

University of Fianarantsoa

University of Mahajanga

University of Antananarivo

Ecole Superieure des Etudes Agronomiques

Institut Halieutique et des Sciences Marines (IHSM)

University of Toliary

INSCAE

ESTI University

Missouri Botanical Garden (MBG)

Université Catholique de Madagascar

University of Diego/Antsiranana

University of Toamasina

 

Award Length and Period

The academic calendar typically runs from November to July. 

Each department of an institution may have a different academic schedule.  

Flex
Flex allowed for only the following activity type(s):
Areas of Interest

Applications are sought in all disciplines.

Applications in the following disciplines are especially encouraged: American culture and literature; business, economics, international trade, innovation, and entrepreneurship; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), including new and emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, data science, and digital transformation; education and linguistics; agronomy, agriculture, marine science, oceanography, fisheries, biology, life sciences, ecology, and environmental sciences; sustainable development, climate adaptation, disaster risk management, and public health; public policy, public administration, democracy and governance, and economic development; and journalism, new media, digital communications, and media management.

 

Special Features

The academic year typically runs from November or December to July. An English language school, the American School of Antananarivo (K-12), is available for accompanying dependent school-aged children. 

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

The applicant should contact the head of the prospective host institution to request additional information on the potential assignments and other related details. The U.S. Embassy may be able to provide further information about the Fulbright program and living and working in Madagascar. Please contact the Public Diplomacy Section at antananarivoeol@state.gov

Language Proficiency Requirements
Recommended (Intermediate): French

Applicants are encouraged to consult the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) “Can-Do Statements” to determine if they are qualified.

Required Proficiency

Applicants are encouraged to register qualified language evaluator, such as a language instructor or a translator, to conduct the external assessment in the application. Being a native speaker alone does not qualify an individual to conduct the assessment.

Applicants who are native speakers do not need to complete an external evaluation.

Level of Proficiency
Intermediate
Required Languages
French
Additional Language Requirement

English is sufficient for lecturing at the English Department of the University of Antananarivo and Universite Catholique de Madagascar because their medium of instruction is English. However, for the other institutions, French will be necessary for conducting classroom or research assignments. If Scholar plans to affiliate with an institution that uses French as the main language of instructions, a Language Proficiency Evaluation is required. 

Additional Qualification Information

At least one or two years of postdoctoral university or college teaching experience is preferred.

Researcher and Professional Project Monthly Allowances
$6070
$6070
Teaching or Teaching/Research Award Monthly Allowances
$6840
$7060
Estimated Travel and Relocation Allowance for Grantee

Round-trip, economy-class, international travel arranged by travel agent designated by IIE, for scholar and up to two accompanying dependents. A $2,850 allowance will be provided to cover the costs associated with relocation and excess baggage. 

Estimated Book and Research Allowance

$1,000 books and educational materials allowance; if possible, educational materials should be donated to the host institution (or other entity) upon grantee's departure. (For Teaching and Teaching/Research awards only.) 

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 $400/month to $600/month. 

In addition, round-trip, economy class travel is provided for up to two dependents. 

Dependent education allowance of up to $12,500 per child or $25,000 per family for accompanying dependents in grades K-12 is reimbursed for a full academic year, upon submission of receipts, and depending on funding availability. Amount may be adjusted for shorter grant periods. 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.

Special Award Benefits

When university housing is available and provided to Fulbright Scholars, grantees will receive a supplemental housing allowance in lieu of a full housing allowance for refurbishments, utilities, and other miscellaneous expenses that arise. The full housing allowance will not be provided to grantees if they elect to decline on-campus or university housing.

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.

Madagascar

What is life like for Fulbrighters in your country?

Madagascar is a low-income island nation off the east coast of Africa with a population of approximately 30 million and exceptional strategic, environmental, and economic importance in the Indian Ocean region. Fulbright Scholars in Madagascar live and work in a dynamic but resource-constrained environment, where universities, research institutes, government agencies, and civil society organizations are highly receptive to collaboration with U.S. academics and professionals. The United States remains one of Madagascar’s key development partners, with U.S. assistance focused on public health, food security, disaster response particularly in the drought-affected south, democratic governance, environmental conservation, and sustainable livelihoods.

Fulbrighters engage in a wide range of disciplines reflecting Madagascar’s priorities, including marine science, oceanography, fisheries management, biodiversity conservation, and environmental sciences, areas of critical importance given the country’s globally unique ecosystems and reliance on coastal and marine resources. At the same time, there is growing demand for expertise in business, economics, entrepreneurship, and emerging technologies, including digital innovation and artificial intelligence, to support value-chain development, sustainable fisheries, agribusiness, eco-tourism, and small and medium enterprise growth. Scholars often combine teaching and research with applied work, helping institutions strengthen academic programs, promote innovation, and link environmental sustainability with economic opportunity.

While Madagascar continues to face political and economic challenges, U.S. engagement emphasizes strengthening institutions, building human capital, and promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth. These efforts align with broader U.S. foreign policy goals of fostering stable partners, reducing drivers of insecurity, and expanding mutually beneficial trade and investment, thereby contributing to a stronger, safer, and more prosperous United States. Through the Fulbright Program, scholars experience a professionally rewarding and culturally rich environment, build lasting people-to-people ties, and contribute meaningfully to academic capacity building, English-language education, and interdisciplinary solutions that connect conservation, technology, and entrepreneurship for long-term development.

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