Fulbright Distinguished Scholar Award

Fulbright Distinguished Scholar in Economics at CERGE-EI, Charles University, Czech Academy of Sciences

Czech Republic

Application Deadline
closed
Award Code
25022-CZ
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
Ph.D. (or other terminal degree) required
Career Profile
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

Up To
2
Award Start Period
September 2025 - October 2025 or January 2026 - February 2026
Award Length
3 months - 4 months
Flex Option
No
Multi-Country/Area Award
No
Disciplines
Economics
Scholars selected for this award will be required to
Advise and/or mentor students
Conduct a research project of the applicant’s choosing
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

Teaching a research-based graduate course in English

Locations
Location Selection: Award is hosted by the institution listed below
Locations Detail

Center for Economic Research and Graduate Education – Economics Institute, (CERGE/EI), joint workplace of Charles University and the Economics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague.

https://www.cerge-ei.cz/

Award Length and Period

The teaching components must correspond with the length of the academic semester. Winter semester starts typically at the end of September; the spring semester starts usually in mid-February. Precise starting date would be specified with the successful candidate upon agreement with the host institution and Fulbright Commission.

Areas of Interest

The award is open to any specialization within the field of Economics: specialization in Energy, Environmental, or Health Economics is welcome but not required.

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

Citizenship/Residency Requirement
Permanent residents of the award country are not eligible to apply for this award.
Invitation Requirement
A letter of invitation is preferred.
Invitation Requirement Additional Information

Before applying, a consultation with CERGE or the J. William Fulbright Commission in the Czech Republic is highly recommended. For consultation before applying, please contact director@cerge-ei.cz, Katarina Stehlikova at kstehlikova@cerge-ei-foundation.org and/or fulbright@fulbright.cz.

Language Proficiency Requirements
None, English is sufficient
Additional Qualification Information

Excellent academic credentials

Award Allowances

$6,000 per month

Estimated Travel and Relocation Allowance for Grantee

$1,800 travel grant

Do you offer additional dependent benefits
Yes

Dependent allowance of $300 per month for one dependent, $500 per month for two dependents and $700 per month for three or more dependents.

Dependent travel allowance of $1000 per dependent.

(Dependent allowances are paid only for those dependents who accompany the grantee for at least 80 percent of the grant period.)

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.

Estimated Cost of Living

Summary about cost of living in Prague, Czech Republic: for detailed info visit for example https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Prague

 

Special Award Benefits

September Orientation and Mid-year conference: Orientation brings new U.S. Fulbright scholars in the Czech Republic together for a four-day program in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. Local costs (accommodations, meals, activities, local travel) are paid for by Fulbright Commission. The same model applies for the Mid-year Conference held at the end of January. The Mid-year conference serves also as Orientation for grantees coming for Spring semester and brings together all grantees present in the country.

In-country and Inter-country lecturing program: The Fulbright Commission reimburses in-country travel costs for lecturing at Czech academic institutions and enables access to Fulbright inter-country lecturing program within Europe.

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.

Czech Republic

What is life like for Fulbrighters in your country?

Situated in the very heart of Europe, the Czech Republic boasts a rich history and proud people. From Bohemia in the west to Moravia in the east, ancient castles and monasteries grace the landscape, together with beautiful forests and mountains. Yet the Czech Republic’s true dynamism comes as much from its people and culture as from its historical features. Czech Republic today represents a developed democracy of Western type, a fully integrated active member of the European Union and NATO. It belongs to the safest and most stable countries politically and economically in the region. Its education system is of world-class quality. The country’s higher-education system consists of over 25 public universities and colleges situated in Prague and other major cities of the Czech Republic.

The academic year is from mid-September through May or June, scholars coming for the first semester or whole academic year are expected to participate in the in-country orientation in September. The length of the fall semester for teachers is three to four months. Second semester begins in February and usually lasts four months; the scholars coming for the second semester are expected to participate in the mid-year conference at the very end of January. Applications are welcome in all disciplines. For lecturing, preference may be given to subjects related to the United States, and to applicants who will assist with curriculum and program development at their host institutions. Affiliations are possible with a variety of academic institutions, but opportunities also exist for collaboration with public officials and professionals at other institutions. 

Housing opportunities differ in various places. Grantees are encouraged to ask their hosts for assistance while searching for suitable accommodation. There is no special housing allowance, nevertheless the monthly stipend easily covers adequate housing options. Local resources are available in the Handbook for US grantees on our website https://www.fulbright.cz/en/grantees-and-alumni/current-grantees/

Medical care provided in the CR is of high quality and the insurance provided by ASPE covers almost any treatment needed. Most physicians are competent and are able to communicate in English. Expats occasionally use services of private clinics, where all the staff is completely fluent in English. Private insurance may be accepted at these clinics. If you have U.S. medical insurance, call your insurer and ask about overseas coverage and requirements. 

Generally, the Czech Republic is counted among 10 safest countries in the world. The Fulbright Commission encourages families to participate in the program. Numerous private (relatively costly) international schools and kindergartens are available in major cities. The Fulbright Commission does not provide any tuition allowance. Local schools (free of charge) can be an option, especially for grantees coming for the whole academic year. 

Applicants are encouraged to view the Fulbright Commission's website for current information about programs and practicalities of living in the Czech Republic. Consultations are welcome at kloubova@fulbright.cz.

Previous Fulbright Recipients

Booklets of current and former US grantees are available on our website https://www.fulbright.cz/en/grantees-and-alumni/current-grantees/ For their shared experiences and reflections see our blog http://czechfulbright.blogspot.com/ To stay updated about activities of our grantees, join the community of Czech Fulbright on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/czechfulbright and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/czechfulbright/

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