Fulbright Scholar Award

Fulbright-García Robles U.S. Studies Chair

Mexico

Application Deadline
closed
Award Code
25228-MX
Activity Type
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.
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

Exactly
5
Award Start Period
August 2025 - September 2025 or January 2026
Award Length
5 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
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

The Fulbright U.S. Studies Chair will teach up to three undergraduate and/or graduate courses in English in order to generate new knowledge about U.S. history, politics and other topics as well as build binational collaborations between U.S. and Mexican scholars and mentor Mexican students. One course may be substituted for graduate student advising.

Locations Detail

This is a placed program. The candidate should not seek a letter of affiliation. The Fulbright Commission in Mexico (COMEXUS) will work with selected candidates and partnering Mexican universities to place grantees at the institution which is the best fit. The following universities are requesting a U.S. Studies Chair for the 2024-2025 academic cycle:

U.S. Studies Chair at the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM) Mexico City, Mexico
The Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM) is a private university committed to academic excellence to promote the integral development of its members and contribute to a fairer, free and more prosperous society. The Department of International Studies—which includes the Asia-Pacific Studies Program (PEAP), the Center for Inter-American Studies and Programs (CEPI) and the Institute for European Integration Studies (IEIE)—aims to be at the heart of a continuing dialogue on relevant domestic and international topics to foster a better understanding of global dynamics. Placement at ITAM for the U.S. Studies Chair is only available for the fall 2024 semester.

U.S. Studies Chair at the Universidad Iberoamericana (la Ibero) Mexico City, Mexico
The Universidad Iberoamericana is one of Mexico’s top private educational institutions, widely known both in Mexico and abroad for the high quality of its study programs. La Ibero's underlying aim is to safeguard, disseminate and improve higher education by training the professionals, teachers, researchers and technicians our society needs. At present, it offers 34 bachelor’s-degree and 39 graduate-degree programs and over 200 certificate programs that provide training to companies, government institutions and individuals. Underpinned by the Jesuit educational tradition, which has flourished worldwide for close to five centuries, la Ibero blends science and humanism in all its academic endeavors.

U.S. Studies Chair at the Universidad Veracruzana (UV) Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
The Universidad Veracruzana currently has 27 Higher Education Units that encompass 74 faculties, 57 libraries, 24 research institutes, a museum, a language center, a free art school and a music institute distributed throughout five regions. The North American Studies Program is a multidisciplinary program aimed at both university students and the general public interested in knowing all about the United States of America, Mexico and Canada. The program is divided into five general study areas: political science, language and literature, history and geography, cultural studies and health sciences.

U.S. Studies Chair at the Universidad de Guadalajara (UDG) Guadalajara, Jalisco
UDG is a renowned higher education institution that currently has 15 campuses, one virtual university and 60 high schools. UDG is notable for being one of the most important and active Mexican Universities, with over 700 distinguished researchers in all areas of knowledge. Additionally, the university has a solid understanding of the legislation, norms and procedures to create, adapt and follow, in order to have simultaneous international programs running of almost any kind, especially graduate’s student mobility, academic mobility, staff mobility, research programs, internationalization at home or the internationalization of the curricula.

U.S. Studies Chair at the Universidad de las Américas Puebla (UDLAP), at Cholula, Puebla, Mexico
The UDLAP is a private and non-profit organization, nationally and internationally acknowledged not only for its academic quality and prestige but also for its unique campus and its modern facilities. UDLAP offers a wide variety of academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate level through five academic units called Schools (Arts and Humanities, Sciences, Engineering, Social Sciences, and Business and Economics) where the participants of the US. Studies Chair can easily find a field of knowledge compatible to their research. UDLAP highly values the participation of visiting faculty in research and teaching in graduate and undergraduate courses, where different points of view, culture and background are shared towards a global understanding.

Award Length and Period

Five months (one academic semester).

This is a one-semester grant, taking place August through December, or January/February through June, as determined by the university calendar and selected candidate.  For the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM), placement is only available for the fall semester, while Universidad Veracruzana can only accept scholars available in the spring semester.

Areas of Interest

While applications are sought in all disciplines related to U.S. culture, U.S. society and U.S. politics, the following universities have determined their unique specific interests.  Candidates are encouraged to be in touch with the universities below, in order to determine if your project meets the needs of any of these universities.

U.S. Studies Chair in Government, Politics and Foreign Policy at the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM): Subjects of particular interest for teaching at ITAM include U.S. foreign policy, U.S. government and politics, U.S. electoral process, U.S. national security policy, political science or U.S. natural resource management, policy and law.

U.S. Studies Chair in Politics, Economy and History at the Universidad Veracruzana: The Fulbright-García Robles U.S. Studies Chair grantee will be hosted by the North American Studies Program (Programa de Estudios del Norte - PEAN).  Subjects of particular interest for teaching at the Universidad Veracruzana include U.S. government and politics, U.S. electoral process, political science, U.S. economy, U.S. geography, U.S. history and social movements, as well as U.S. literature.

U.S. Studies Chair at Universidad de Guadalajara: The Fulbright-García Robles U.S. Studies Chair grantee will be hosted by the Center of North American Studies (Centro de Estudios sobre América del Norte) to teach a graduate course in order to generate new knowledge about U.S. history, politics and other topics as well as build bi-national collaborations between U.S. and Mexican scholars, and mentor Mexican students. UDG is interested in any topic that reveals unique aspects of U.S. culture, including but not limited to geography, politics, economics, social movements, and/or the United States' relationship with Mexico.

U.S. Studies Chair at Universidad de las Américas Puebla: The Fulbright-García Robles U.S. Studies Chair grantee will teach at least one graduate course in order to generate new knowledge about U.S. history, politics and other topics as well as build bi-national collaborations between U.S. and Mexican scholars, and be asked to mentor Mexican students. UDLAP is interested in any topic related to the United States and/or its relationship with Mexico.

U.S. Studies Chair at Universidad Iberoamericana: The Fulbright-García Robles U.S. Studies Chair grantee will be hosted by the Department of International Studies to teach a graduate course in order to generate new knowledge about U.S. foreign policy, U.S. government and politics, U.S. electoral process, U.S. national security policy (migration included), political science or U.S. natural resource management, policy and law, as well as build bi-national collaborations between U.S. and Mexican scholars, and mentor Mexican students.

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

Citizenship/Residency Requirement
Applicants residing in the award country at the time of application or thereafter are not eligible to apply for this award.
Permanent residents of the award country are not eligible to apply for this award.
Invitation Requirement
A letter of invitation should not be sought.
Invitation Requirement Additional Information

Applicants should not seek a Letter of Invitation, however, applicants are encouraged to be in touch with the universities to determine if the proposed project meets the needs of any of the potential host universities.

Applicants should rank participating host institutions in order of preference in the project statement and on the application form. 

Universidad de Guadalajara (UDG):

Lic. Elisa Anguiano Rangel at elisaa@cgci.udg.mx

Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM):
Dr. Isabel Flores Alcázar at isabel.flores@itam.mx

Universidad Iberoamericana (UIA):

Dr. Luis Gonzalez Villanueva luis.gonzalez@ibero.mx

Universidad Veracruzana (UV)
Dr. Daniel Romero León at daromero@uv.mx

Universidad de las Américas Puebla (UDLAP)
Juan Carlos Ley García at carlos.ley@udlap.mx

Language Proficiency Requirements
Recommended (Beginner): Spanish
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
Beginner
Required Languages
Spanish
Additional Language Requirement

Teaching will be conducted in English. Intermediate proficiency in Spanish is recommended, but not required.

The level of Spanish language proficiency must be commensurate with the requirements of the project. A higher level of Spanish may be required for some projects. Recommended applicants will be invited by the Fulbright Commission in Mexico (COMEXUS) to be virtually interviewed in Spanish by a panel of experts.

 

Additional Qualification Information

This is a one-semester professorship for highly qualified academics. Preferred candidates will have at least three years of experience in a full-time teaching position at both undergraduate and graduate-level courses. Applicants must be affiliated with a university or research institution in the United States at the time of application.

Additional Comments

Recommended applicants will be invited by the Fulbright Commission in Mexico (COMEXUS) to be virtually interviewed in English by a panel of experts.

Award Allowances

Grantees will receive a fixed sum in the amount of US$20,000 to cover all the grant expenses ($4,000 per month). Unlike other Fulbright U.S. Scholar grants, the U.S. Studies Chair award does not include subsistence allowance, professional stipend, or dependent allowance.

Estimated Travel and Relocation Allowance for Grantee

One round-trip international air ticket for the grantee not to exceed $1,000 and a one-time settling-in allowance of $1,000

Do you offer additional dependent benefits
No
Estimated Cost of Living

MEXICO:

The cost of living can vary greatly depending on where in Mexico you will be conducting your research, as well as your lifestyle. Los Cabos in Baja California Sur; Cancún in Quintana Roo, and Mexico City are three of the most expensive cities in Mexico. La Paz, also in Baja California Sur, and Oaxaca are among the most affordable locations in Mexico.

Cost of living in Mexico City: Rent for a comfortable apartment in a modest neighborhood can start at around $450 per month. Rent in a larger apartment in one of the nicer neighborhoods can start at $800 per month and go upwards of $1,500. Rent in Mexico City is, on average, 80% lower than in New York. A single person's estimated monthly costs are approximately $550 USD without rent. A family of four's estimated monthly costs are approximately $1,800 USD without rent.

Cost of living in Oaxaca City: Rent for a comfortable apartment in a decent neighborhood can range between $300-600 per month. A single person estimated monthly costs are approximately $400 USD without rent. A family of four estimated monthly costs are approximately $1,000 USD without rent.

Special Award Benefits

Grantees with start dates in the fall are required to attend a Welcome Orientation in Mexico City, typically hosted in late August. The Fulbright Commission in Mexico also typically hosts a Midterm Reunion in January. The Commission pays for transportation to and from these locations and the grantee's host state, if applicable.

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, México, 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 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.

Mexico

What is life like for Fulbrighters in your country?

The close, dynamic relationship between the United States and Mexico offers a plethora of opportunities for scholars interested in conducting research or teaching at the university level on issues of relevance for both countries.  Mexico is proud of its ancestral cultural heritage as well as its long history of academic excellence. The opportunities for informed travel and discovery for U.S. scholars are endless. Follow the hyperlinks here to visit the Fulbright Scholar Directory and read more about Fulbright Scholar Alumni Ambassadors Melisa Cahnmann-Taylor and Brian Klopotek.

The site of major Amerindian civilizations - including the Olmec, Toltec, Teotihuacan, Zapotec, Maya, and Aztec, among others, and home to one of the most biodiverse environments, it is no wonder that Mexico boasts the largest UNESCO world heritage in the American continent: 14 cities, 35 cultural and natural sites, as well as an important number of intangible patrimonies. Additionally, Mexico has designated 132 Pueblos Mágicos (Magical Towns), communities that over time have maintained their original architecture, traditions, history and culture, which enhance the richness of travel destinations.

Mexico was colonized by Spain in the early 16th century and achieved independence three centuries later. Elections held in 2000 marked the first time since the 1910 Mexican Revolution that an opposition candidate - Vicente Fox of the conservative Partido Acción Nacional (PAN) - defeated the party in government, the Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI). He was succeeded in 2006 by another PAN candidate Felipe Calderón, but Enrique Peña Nieto regained the presidency for the PRI in 2012. Left-leaning politician and former mayor of Mexico City (2000-05) Andrés Manuel López Obrador, from the Movimiento de Regeneración Nacional (MORENA), became president in December 2018. Presidents in Mexico cannot be reelected after their six-year term.

Education in Mexico has a long tradition. The Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), which started as Real y Pontificia Universidad de México (Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico), was founded in 1551 and is the second oldest institution of higher education in the American Continent. UNAM has been cited as one of the largest and most important universities, not only in Mexico but in all of Latin America. Its philosophy is closely tied to social responsibility, at the service of the country and humankind by educating academics and professionals to be of use to society, able to organize and carry out research on social and political issues that have vast cultural benefits. All three of Mexico’s Nobel Prize winners, Octavio Paz, Mario J. Molina and Alfonso García Robles were UNAM graduates.

There are six subsystems of higher education institutions in Mexico: public universities, technological institutes, technological universities, teacher training colleges, and other public and private institutions. When all of them are counted, Mexico has 1,250 institutions of higher education. Mexico’s 45 public universities, generate 50 percent of all academic research and produce 52 percent of undergraduates as well as 48 percent of graduate students. There are also one hundred and sixty-eight private universities to be found throughout the country.

There are a few very interesting and original public higher educational institutions unique to Mexico that have been studied and reproduced in other countries. This is the case of the Universidades Interculturales, specifically designed for bilingual and bicultural environments in regions with a strong indigenous presence. There is a world-renowned prestigious agricultural university, La Universidad Autonoma de Chapingo, that boards students from all over the country. The Escuelas Normales Rurales (teacher training in rural areas) are also exemplary educational institutions. All combined, the opportunities for U.S. Scholars to establish relationships with their Mexican counterparts are endless.

The education system is mostly centered in Mexico City, however, there are other important educational hubs that attract students from all over, for example, Puebla, Puebla; Xalapa, Veracruz; Leon and Guanajuato, Guanajuato; Guadalajara, Jalisco and Merida in the Yucatán peninsula.

COMEXUS, the U.S.-Mexico Commission for Educational and Cultural Exchange, manages all Fulbright grants in Mexico. Founded in 1990, COMEXUS has a demonstrated record of helping grantees get oriented in their new environment. Since 1992, the COMEXUS Board of Directors established that all of the Mexico-specific scholarships would be officially named “Fulbright-García Robles” in honor of Alfonso García Robles, Mexican Ambassador Emeritus and 1982 Nobel Peace Prize winner. Mexico also shares a multi-country grant with Canada, the Fulbright-Carlos Rico Award for North American Studies, which honors Ambassador Carlos Rico, who served as Mexican Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs for North America from 2006 to 2009. COMEXUS promotes the development of networks of individuals and institutions that stimulate research and teaching on important themes related to the binational agenda.

COMEXUS is particularly interested in projects addressing issues of relevance to U.S.-Mexico relations, including culture, economic integration, society and politics, migration, trade policy, ecological issues, human rights, education, public health, and border issues. While COMEXUS is currently particularly focused on research and teaching projects related to the STEM fields, they also have a long history of supporting projects in the arts (both performance and fine arts) that further dialogue and contact between U.S. and Mexican art communities.

Fulbright-García Robles awards are open to candidates at any academic or professional rank, in all disciplines with the exception of medicine, veterinary medicine, and dentistry. The fields of interest are non-exhaustive and applications from all disciplines are accepted.  COMEXUS encourages applicants looking for postdoctoral research stays in Mexico.

Typically, academic semesters begin in August or September and/or January or February. Grant periods from three to nine months are accepted; nine-month academic-year grants are preferred. All grants are to be completed by the end of June. For grants over 180 days (roughly six months), grantees and accompanying dependents must obtain a visa authorization prior to entering Mexico, which is arranged by COMEXUS. Grantees with dual U.S. and Mexican nationality are eligible to apply and, although they are bound by all laws pertaining to foreigners while in-country, they are required by Mexican law to enter Mexico on a Mexican passport. However, due to Mexican immigration regulations, U.S. citizens with permanent residency or a current work visa are not eligible to apply.

For more information on program details, contact Maria Vallarta or visit the COMEXUS website

The Fulbright Commission in Mexico follows the recommendations of both the Mexican government and the U.S. Embassy when placing U.S. Fulbright grantees in Mexico. Placement may be restricted in certain states or areas of Mexico, dependent on these recommendations. Please consult the detailed U.S. State Dept. Mexico Travel Advisory for information about your prospective location. Projects in level 4 travel advisory areas will not be considered.

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