Climate Change - Education and Advocacy
Albania
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.
The Scholar is expected to support research in Climate Monitoring based on state-published documents and other information provided by research institutes and NGOs. Furthermore, the Scholar would provide short courses on climate and its impact on nature and the human population, as part of the Climate Education program of the Resources Environmental Center Albania (REC Albania). The target group of the lessons will be students of various universities in the academic year 2025-2026, both public and private in Tirana and near by cities such as Elbasan, Shkoder and Vlore.
The research side of the grant activity will take place at REC Albania premises in Tirana, and will include assessing the information channels and data on different sectors which contribute to emissions, as well as developing indicators of the evaluation based on Albania National Determined Contributions 2020-2030 (NDC 2020-2030) and National Adaptation Plan 2030 (NAP 2030). The research will help the civil society sector to develop monitoring tools to assist with climate change action and advocacy in Albania.
The teaching side of the grant activity will provide basic information on the theory of climate change, emissions contributing to climate change, sectors which are the main contributors in Albania in comparison with other countries, alternative solutions for decarbonization, development projects with low carbon footprints and the international framework on climate (legal and funding sources).
Students and other civil society organization (CSO) members will gain additional theoretical background on climate change, climate change skepticism, as well as discussing green development alternatives for small countries such as Albania.
The Scholar is expected to provide one course a month, including one seminar following the course, where discussion with attendees will be on concrete Albanian backgrounds. The lecturing and seminars will be organized and held together with experts of REC Albania, which will provide information and materials on Albania's country background. The Scholar will be part of the REC Albania team, assigned at the sub unit of Climate Change and Education.
Scholars selected for this grant will be required to attend a mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation in Summer 2025.
Resources Environmental Center Albania (REC Albania)
The Resources Environmental Center Albania (REC Albania) is an Albanian legal entity registered under the Law on Non-profit Organisations (2001). The REC Albania works to fulfill the organization's mission by supporting NGOs and environmental institutions and stakeholders at a national, regional and local level. It also promotes the participatory processes and exchange of information.
REC Albania promotes cooperation among different stakeholder groups; provides professional advice to decision-makers; disseminates knowledge on Education for Sustainable Development policy and tools; develops innovative multimedia tool-kits in both online and printed formats for classroom use; builds the capacities of local, national and sub-national stakeholders; and facilitates public participation in policy making.
Suggested start dates are flexible because the host institution does not have an academic calendar.
Environment, Policy Development, and Climate
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
The applicant should have a minimum of five years of professional and academic experience in environmental sciences and climate change.
You may be asked to participate in an interview as part of the in-country selection process.
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.
$3,550
$750 books and educational materials allowance; 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 $100/month to $350/month. In addition, travel allowances are provided for dependents: $2,500 for one dependent, and $5,000 for two or more dependents.
Reimbursement for dependent education expenses may be available on a limited basis, depending on funding availability and grant duration. Grantees should confirm with IIE that proposed expenses meet eligibility criteria; however, availability of funds may not be known until the end of the academic year.
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.
Albania
Albania provides a unique opportunity for scholars interested in connecting with students and academics from a rapidly developing country in Europe. In the heart of the Mediterranean on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, Albania is a beautiful country with a varied climate and topography. In the last few years, it has become a popular travel destination. Albania enjoys friendly and cooperative bilateral relations with the United States. Pro-American sentiment is widespread among the population.
Still relatively unspoiled by globalization, Albania offers an inspiring mixture of civilizations and cultures. Scholars are impressed by the ancient history of Albania, the rich cultural tradition, and the harmony and respect shared among the adherents of the country’s three major religions: Islam, Roman Catholicism, and Orthodox Christianity.
Albania has a young population eager to learn and study. The educational system has experienced constant change and improvement in the last twenty-five years to reflect global developments in education and to meet the changing needs of the population. In 2015, a group of educational experts, representatives of private and public universities, and other stakeholders drafted a new law on higher education. For the first time, all Albanian universities went through an institutional accreditation process led by the British Accreditation Agency and successfully concluded in December 2017. Find a full list of accredited universities link .
There are 15 public universities and over 25 private universities in Albania. The Albanian higher education system is part of the European Higher Education Area and operates on a 3+2+3 scheme (3-year undergraduate degree, 2-year graduate degree - usually referred to as a Scientific Master’s Degree, and 3-year doctoral program). Both public and private universities have partnerships with European universities and exchange programs are largely funded through EU Erasmus programs.
The country has some good universities with strong international connections but only one currently offers joint degree programs with foreign universities. However, all universities are working to introduce or increase instruction in English in order to attract international students. The Fulbright Program enjoys high prestige. The Public Affairs Section (PAS) at the U.S. embassy in Tirana is responsible for administering the Fulbright Program in the country. PAS staff help interested applicants identify potential host institutions, safe and affordable housing options, and organize an orientation program for the newly arrived U.S. grantees. The orientation program provides an overview of Albanian culture, current academic, political and practical issues, as well as medical and security briefings. Throughout the grant period, grantees are invited to participate in cultural enrichment programs or engage in additional academic or non-academic activities with a variety of audiences.
The living conditions and infrastructure in Albania are good, particularly in cities. However, rural areas are still developing and infrastructure, especially roads, can be poor. Monthly housing costs vary between $700 and $900, depending on location and size. An international English language school (K-12) is located in Tirana. Instruction in English language is extremely limited outside of Tirana.
Internet access is widely available in homes and in cafes in urban areas. Rural areas have more limited access to the Internet, but many people connect via smartphones. Electronics are available for purchase but are often very expensive.
Applications in all fields are welcome, but preference is given to those related to Journalism, Gender Studies, Human Rights, Education, Public Administration, Public Health, and Law.
For further information contact Deputy Public Affairs Officer Amanda Roberson RobersonAS@state.gov and Educational Program Advisor Mirela Cupi Cupim@State.Gov, or visit the U.S. Embassy website.
Jay Shapiro, BetsAnn Smith, David Eric Archer, Melissa Perry, Elizabeth Daniels
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.
Mr. Mihallaq Qirjo is the Executive Director of the Resources Environmental Center Albania and the primary point of contact for the interested applicants. He can be reached via email at director@recshqiperi.org; Mr. Qirjo is also an alumni of the International Visitor Leadership Program.
Anxhela Balliu, Information and Communication Officer, info@recshqiperi.org, is another point of contact.