Fulbright Chile Postdoctoral Awards
Chile
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 Fulbright Chile Postdoctoral Partnerships Awards is a focused and structured program designed to support early-career scholars from the United States in conducting advanced research in Chile. The award is based on formal partnerships between Fulbright Chile and selected Chilean research institutions, which have identified specific strategic priority areas for hosting U.S. postdoctoral scholars.
Under this partnership framework, postdoctoral scholars are placed at pre-identified partner institutions where their research aligns with the host institution’s defined research agenda, ensuring strong institutional integration, access to specialized infrastructure, and sustained collaboration with Chilean counterparts.
Objectives of the Award
This award seeks to:
- Support high-level postdoctoral research within clearly defined institutional priority areas established by Fulbright Chile partner institutions.
- Strengthen long-term scientific collaboration between U.S. early-career researchers and leading Chilean universities, public research institutes, and centers of excellence.
- Promote the development of joint research projects that contribute to Chilean and U.S. scientific priorities and to globally relevant challenges.
Program Structure
Postdoctoral scholars will conduct independent research projects in close collaboration with researchers at the host partner institution. Depending on the nature of the project, Scholars may also collaborate with associated universities, research centers, government agencies, or industry partners connected to the host institution’s research ecosystem.
This award emphasizes a targeted and institutionally embedded model of cooperation, distinguishing it from open-placement postdoctoral awards by aligning scholar expertise with predefined institutional strengths and research agendas.
Broader Fulbright Engagement
In addition to their primary research activities, Fulbright Postdoctoral Scholars are expected to contribute to the broader Fulbright mission of fostering international understanding. Scholars may be invited to deliver public lectures, mentor students or early-career researchers, and participate in academic or community engagement activities, as appropriate to the host institution.
Through this partnership-based approach, the Fulbright Chile Postdoctoral Partnerships Award provides a high-impact framework for advanced research, professional development, and sustained bilateral collaboration.
Instituto Nacional del Litio y Salares (INLiSa), located in Antofagasta Region (Region II), northern Chile. Antofagasta is the capital city and main port of the region and a strategic hub for lithium, mining, energy, and scientific research.
Applicants must indicate INLiSa as the primary host institution in the application form. If selected, the scholar will carry out their research activities in coordination with INLiSa and its designated research teams.
More information about INLiSa here and via email to contacto@inlisa.cl.
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC Chile), founded in 1888, is a leading and comprehensive higher education institution in Chile. With five campuses in Santiago and one in southern Chile, the institution is committed to excellence in knowledge creation, education, and societal engagement across all disciplines, inspired by humanistic values and dedicated to serving the country.
Applicants must indicate UC Chile as the primary host institution in the application form. If selected, the scholar will carry out their research activities in coordination with UC Chile and its designated research team.
More information about UC Chile here and via email to uc_research@uc.cl and vrai.uc@uc.cl.
Awards must be ten to twelve months in duration. Grants may begin in August 2027, September 2027, March 2028, April 2028 or May 2028.
Applicants should note that academic and institutional activity in Chile may be reduced during the austral summer period (January–February).
Projects are sought in disciplines aligned with:
INLiSa’s mission, including but not limited to lithium science and technology; energy storage and battery technologies; materials science and chemistry; geosciences and salar studies; environmental sciences and sustainability; and public policy, innovation, and science and technology studies related to lithium and critical minerals.
UC Chile's mission, encompassing, but not limited to, fields across the natural and exact sciences, engineering, the social sciences, the humanities, and the arts.
Interdisciplinary and/or transdisciplinary proposals are strongly encouraged.
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact INLiSa or UC Chile in advance to discuss research interests, project feasibility, and the institution’s availability to host them for the proposed 10 to 12-month award period.
Candidates should not wait until close to the application deadline to initiate contact with INLiSa or UC Chile. If this is the applicant’s first communication with a potential host in Chile, they should be aware that institutional responses may take longer than expected due to internal review processes.
The letter of invitation should include:
- Confirmation of INLiSa’s or UC Chile’s interest in hosting the U.S. postdoctoral scholar;
- Confirmation that the scholar will have access to relevant facilities, laboratories, data, and institutional resources, as applicable;
- Comments on project feasibility, including any language considerations;
- A brief description of how the proposed research aligns with the mission of INLiSa or UC Chile and how it will contribute to ongoing or future institutional activities;
- Any additional relevant information regarding collaboration and projected long-term impact.
The letter of invitation may be submitted in Spanish or English. If the letter is issued in Spanish, applicants must include both the original version and an English translation with their application.
If applicants require support in facilitating initial contact or identifying the appropriate INLiSa or UC Chile counterpart, they may contact Fulbright Chile for guidance via email at becas@fulbright.cl.
The scholar will receive a fixed sum of US$ 3,000 per month to cover all expenses.
The scholar will receive a fixed sum of US$ 2,000 to help pay for an international roundtrip ticket.
Scholars can estimate the cost of living, meals, and incidentals in different cities in Chile using publicly available cost-comparison tools. One useful resource is Expatistan, which provides updated cost-of-living data for Santiago and other Chilean cities:
https://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/country/chile
Please note that costs may vary significantly in smaller towns, where prices tend to be lower overall.
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 the 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.
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 and the Fulbright Commission in the host country reserve the right to alter, without notice, participating countries, number of awards and allowances.
Chile
Chile: A Leading Destination for Research, Innovation, and Cultural Exchange
Chile offers U.S. Scholars a unique opportunity to conduct impactful research within one of Latin America’s most dynamic and academically robust environments. Home to 19 million people and stretching over 4,300 kilometers, the country combines exceptional geographic diversity, strong democratic institutions, and a vibrant scientific community that consistently ranks among the most productive in the region.
A Premier Research Ecosystem Across Disciplines
Chile offers a uniquely compelling environment for U.S. Scholars seeking high-impact research opportunities, characterized by sustained public investment in science, internationally recognized research infrastructure, and unparalleled natural laboratories. Over the past two decades, Chile has consolidated a robust national research ecosystem through competitive public funding instruments, long-term international partnerships, and a strong commitment to scientific diplomacy.
The country is a global leader in Astronomy and Earth Sciences, hosting some of the world’s most advanced optical and radio observatories, including ALMA, the Vera Rubin Telescope, the Very Large Telescope (VLT), and the upcoming Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) and Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT).
Chile’s extraordinary geographical diversity, from the hyper-arid Atacama Desert to the Patagonian ice fields and fjords, and along more than 4,000 kilometers of coastline shaped by the Humboldt Current, supports cutting-edge research in biodiversity, oceanography, and biology. Chile also serves as a key gateway to Antarctica, hosting major international Antarctic research programs and logistics platforms, which enable strategic research in glaciology, climate systems, marine ecosystems, and geopolitics of polar science.
Chile offers a comprehensive and mature research ecosystem that spans the full spectrum of knowledge areas, positioning the country as a strategic hub for interdisciplinary and internationally relevant scholarship. Its strengths range from STEM fields, such as engineering, digital innovation, data science, artificial intelligence, astronomy, and environmental sciences, to public health, social policy, education, and the humanities. This breadth is supported by a solid public research infrastructure, nationally funded centers of excellence, access to high-quality data and registries, and a strong tradition of collaboration among academia, government, industry, and civil society. Chile’s openness to international cooperation, including long-standing Chile–U.S. academic partnerships, further enhances opportunities for knowledge exchange and applied research with global impact.
These strengths are anchored by Chile’s leading universities, including Universidad de Chile, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Universidad de Concepción, among others, which are consistently ranked among the top institutions in Latin America. These universities host prestigious research centers and laboratories, attract significant public and competitive funding, and maintain robust international networks. Together they provide U.S. Scholars with high-level academic counterparts, strong institutional support, and an intellectually dynamic environment conducive to advanced research, teaching, and meaningful engagement across all areas of knowledge.
Cultural Immersion and Engagement Beyond the Lab
Chile offers U.S. Scholars meaningful opportunities for cultural immersion that extend well beyond the academic sphere, fostering engagement with a dynamic intellectual, artistic, and civic landscape. The country hosts some of Latin America’s most influential forums for public dialogue on science, culture, and society, including Congreso Futuro and Puerto de Ideas, which bring together leading scientists, thinkers, writers, and artists from around the world. These platforms reflect Chile’s strong commitment to science communication, public engagement, and the integration of knowledge into public life.
At the same time, Chile’s rich cultural heritage and vibrant arts scene provide scholars with deep insights into the country’s social fabric. From internationally renowned events such as Santiago a Mil, the largest theater festival in Latin America, to longstanding cultural traditions like the Festival de La Tirana, Chile offers living expressions of cultural continuity and diversity. This richness is further reflected in its museums, literary legacy, regional identities, and Indigenous cultures, from Rapa Nui to the communities of the north and south, offering a uniquely layered context that enriches research and engagement across disciplines.
Living in Chile: Practical Considerations
Daily life in Chile is generally safe and accessible, with reliable urban transportation, quality healthcare, and broad access to essential services. Scholars consistently highlight the warmth of local communities and the ease of adapting to daily life. Chile’s modern infrastructure, particularly in major cities, supports a comfortable stay, while its diverse geography and cultural richness offer opportunities for exploration far beyond academic work.
Internet connectivity is widely available, and U.S. scholars will find that most daily needs can be met with ease. As with any international experience, preparing for local norms, seasonal variations, and basic health considerations helps ensure a smooth transition. Chile’s strong public health system and well-established services contribute to a safe and enriching environment, allowing scholars to fully focus on their academic, cultural, and personal growth throughout their stay.
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