Fulbright Scholar Postdoctoral Award
Turkey (Türkiye)
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 Scholar Postdoctoral Program is designed for young scholars who would like to conduct research in their academic field in Turkey. The aim of the program is to enable young scholars to conduct research in Turkey, taking advantage of the expertise of senior faculty members in their own fields, and to promote scientific interaction between the two countries.
Grantees can conduct their research projects at public or foundation universities, research centers, organizations or at any other relevant institutions. Their institutional affiliations are subject to the approval of the Turkish Fulbright Commission.
4.5 or 9 months
One-semester grants must begin in September 2024 or February 2025; two-semester grants must begin in September 2024.
Applications are sought in all appropriate disciplines and their relevant sub-fields.
Housing may be provided by the host institution. Grantees should contact their host institution for housing opportunities. Grantees will be responsible for utilities which can be paid from their grant benefits.
If housing is not provided by the host institution, grantees arrange their own housing. The grantee is then entitled to a housing allowance of up to $560/month. For grantees in Istanbul, the housing allowance is up to $585/month.
Please note that the actual amount will vary according to the grantee’s rental agreement.
A letter of invitation is not required at the time of the application; however, the candidates will be required to submit a valid letter when they receive the award.
Turkish language proficiency commensurate with the project can be helpful, but it is not required.
Postdocs are open to scholars who will have received a doctoral degree (Ph.D., J.D, M.D., Ed.D., etc.) within five years of the fellowship start date. Degree conferment before the start of the award is mandatory. Institutional affiliation in the U.S. is not required.
Please contact the Turkish Fulbright Commission for additional information and with questions:
Ms. Leyla AKŞIN
Acting American Programs Officer
For grantees who will be based outside of Istanbul; $1,425 monthly base stipend and $450 monthly subsistence allowance. For grantees who will be based in Istanbul; $1,500 monthly base stipend and $500 monthly subsistence allowance.
Round-trip airfare between the United States and city of assignment is provided for all grantees on a 4.5 month grant to a nine-month grant.
Dependents: Grantees may bring their dependents with them, but there are special criteria to be recognized as official dependents during their stay in the county. For grantees with nine-month awards, round-trip airfare between the United States and grantee’s city of assignment is also provided for one official dependent. However, official dependents must be in country for at least 80 percent of the grant period in order to qualify for the round-trip airfare benefit. Grants for less than a full academic year (nine-months) include airfare only for the grantee. In those cases, dependent airfare will not be provided.
Grantees receive $750 as a one-time Settling-in (Relocation) Allowance.
Excess Baggage Allowance up to $250.
Books and Incidentals Allowance up to $500.
Housing: Housing may be provided by the host institution, in these cases the grantee will be responsible for utilities which can be paid from their grant benefits.
If housing is not provided by the host institution, the grantee will receive an allowance of up to $560/month. However, grantees based in Istanbul will receive an allowance of up to $585/month. Please note that the actual amount will vary according to the grantee’s rental agreement.
Turkish Language Course Allowance up to $500.
Residency or Work Permit application fees are covered by the Turkish Fulbright Commission. The costs associated with acquiring any official documentation required for the residency or work permit application, including valid health insurance in Türkiye (if required for application), are also covered by the Turkish Fulbright Commission.
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.
Turkey
Türkiye is a country with a historical and cultural heritage and has a reputation for its natural attractions. The country offers quality higher education opportunities on modern campuses. With more than 200 universities, Türkiye features a large diversity in programs and Fulbright scholars are welcome to teach and research in all of them.
The grant period is from September 2024 to June 2025 and projects must begin either in the Fall or in the Spring semester. There are exceptions for the Fulbright Senior Scholar Award.
These exceptions are:
- Three-month grants can begin anytime between September 2024 and March 2025
- 9+ month grants must begin in September 2024.
- For grant periods more than 3 months and less than 9 months, the end of the grant period cannot be after June 2025.
All applications will be evaluated by a committee of scholars, not only for their academic and professional excellence, but also for their potential to increase mutual understanding between the United States and Türkiye.
Letters of invitation will be taken into account, for both teaching and research awards, but final decisions regarding scholar affiliations will be made by the Turkish Fulbright Commission. Candidates who do not have an affiliation will be assisted by the Turkish Fulbright Commission to arrange one.
The academic year in Turkey consists of two semesters: September to January and February to June, with the exception of a few universities where Fall semester is from October to December and Spring semester is from January to May. Candidates can obtain detailed information about the Turkish education system by visiting the website of the Fulbright Commission in Türkiye. For a list of universities in Türkiye, please also see this website.
An Orientation Program Meeting in Ankara is held for grantees in September before the academic year starts in Türkiye. The Orientation Meeting consists of a variety of activities including lectures on Turkish culture, recent political developments in the country, as well as cultural activities. In addition, a Mid-Year Evaluation Meeting is organized to evaluate the grantees’ work and discuss their progress with their research projects. The End of Year Meeting is held towards the end of the academic year to allow grantees to share their academic and cultural experiences in Türkiye and to evaluate their overall Fulbright experience.
Depending on the timing during the academic year and the teaching and research responsibilities of the grantee, grantees may also attend conferences organized by other Fulbright commissions.
Grantees also have the option to contact their colleagues in Europe through the Fulbright Inter-Country Travel Grant Program, supported by various Fulbright commissions in Europe. If invited to participate in this program, associated costs are often paid by the inviting institutions and Commissions.
Prospective candidates are encouraged to visit the Turkish Fulbright Commission’s YouTube channel where they can find videos with former grantee experiences and testimonials.
Candidates who are interested in applying for a grant in Türkiye can always contact Ms. Leyla AKŞİN, the American Programs Assistant at the Turkish Fulbright Commission, at amprog@fulbright.org.tr for further information.
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.
A letter of invitation is preferred, but not required. Candidates who do not have an affiliation will be assisted by the Turkish Fulbright Commission to arrange one. Candidates should express clear reasoning for pursuing their proposed project in Türkiye. They should have well-developed plans for projects that encourage collaboration and learning with host country partners. Ideally, the candidate has plans to contribute academically, socially and culturally to complete their projects.