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.
Join fellow higher education administrators from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to gain insight into France and Senegal’s higher education systems and explore opportunities for cooperation and academic exchanges. The Fulbright HBCU International Education Administrators (IEA) seminar is designed to help participants build capacity for international education at their campuses, gain cross-cultural perspectives, and collaborate with colleagues and students throughout the world.
The seminar will take place in Spring 2026, and it will consist of briefings, campus visits, networking and cultural activities, and meetings with French and Senegalese government officials and higher education professionals - from university presidents to directors of international centers, professors, and researchers. Participants will gain first-hand knowledge of higher education institutions in the two countries, as well as educational policy and current issues. Participants will have an opportunity to visit higher education institutions and take part in tours of historical and cultural sites in both countries, to achieve a balance of knowledge sharing, experiential excursions and exposure to French and Senegalese culture.
Program participants will be able to more effectively support student study abroad goals and faculty international research objectives, while building the foundation for future collaboration between their institutions and those in France and Senegal.
The HBCU IEA Seminar is the latest addition to a series of Fulbright exchanges that give U.S. international education professionals and senior higher education officials the chance to learn about different countries’ education systems and expand professional networks. In addition to this new program in France and Senegal, other IEA seminars scheduled in 2026 also encourage applicants from HBCUs. These fully-funded Fulbright seminars to France, Germany, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan are designed to open doors to collaboration with colleagues around the world and build capacity for international partnerships and programs.
Seminar locations will include visits to universities and colleges in major cities within France and Senegal (to be determined).
Seminar is expected to take place in spring 2026.
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
Applicants must meet the following qualifications:
Senior-level administrator (such as a dean, director, vice president, provost, or president) with substantial responsibility for enhancing the international dimension of their institutions;
OR
International Education Administrators Seminar Overview
Franco-American Fulbright Commission
Email the International Education Administrator Team (IEA) with questions about applying.
The award includes round-trip travel, travel between France and Senegal and travel within the countries, lodging, and a supplement for incidentals.
It is not possible to be accompanied by family members or friends during the program. Participants may engage in independent travel before or after the seminar.
Travel will be arranged by a travel agent designated by IIE.
Located in the heart of Europe, France is a major economic powerhouse and a meeting place for researchers from all over the world. It is the 7th largest economic power in the world and 2nd in Europe in terms of GDP, and a leading place for international investment. With 38% of foreign PhD students, France is the 4th largest host country for young researchers. A "Passeport Talent" residence permit facilitates the arrangements for international academics. See more reasons to choose France.
With its world-class research system, global academic networks, and involvement in European and international projects, France is an excellent place to explore academic partnerships, and for students and scholars to do research, teach, or pursue professional development.
The country has an excellent and accessible healthcare system, a high-quality public school system starting at nursery school, comprehensive public transportation and high-speed rail networks, and lively cultural scene.
France’s Higher Education System
The country is home to 72 universities, 227 engineering schools, 220 business schools, 45 state art schools, 22 architecture schools, and 3000 private institutions of higher education.
According to Campus France, 75% of the international students who pick France for their post-secondary education attend a French university, a public institute of higher education financed by the French State. Located all around France, the universities confer national degrees (Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate) that all have the same academic value.
20% of international students are enrolled in one of the Grandes Ecoles. These public and private institutes of higher education, recognized by the State, include Écoles Normales Supérieures (ENS -Institutes of Advanced Education), Instituts d’Etudes Politiques (IEP - Political Science Institutes), engineering schools, business and management schools, veterinary schools and a few others. They confer degrees for 5 years of undergraduate studies, and some award the title of Master. Admission to the Grandes Ecoles is selective, based on a competitive entry exam after two years of preparatory classes. Much of the training is provided in English.
In addition, some international students attend one of nearly 3,000 public and private specialized schools and institutes of higher education that offer degrees and certificates in specific sectors such as medicine, audio-visual, communication, journalism, fashion and design, agronomy, and political science.
Research is a high priority for France: 2.22% of the country's GDP is devoted to research and development. France holds 1st place, ahead of the UK and Germany, in international research collaboration, with 51% of publications involving at least one foreign lab.
The leading multidisciplinary research organization in France, CNRS (national scientific research council,) is a driver of international cooperation, producing the highest number of scientific publications in the world. The CNRS has a presence in most university laboratories.
Fulbright France’s YouTube channel includes many interviews with Fulbrighters. You can also find more stories on the Commission’s Instagram and LinkedIn accounts. Visit the Fulbright Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni.
The free Euraxess network provides extensive practical information about life in France for researchers and their families online and through more than 40 centers across the country. These resources include information about visa and residence permits, accommodation, language learning, family support, and health and well-being.
Candidates interested in applying to Fulbright can visit the website of the Franco-American Fulbright Commission. For more detailed information, contact Charlotte Goodwin, U.S. Program Officer, at cgoodwin@fulbright-france.org.
Senegal, officially the Republic of Senegal, is the westernmost country in the mainland of Africa, located on the Atlantic Ocean coastline of West Africa. Since the country's foundation in 1960 as part of the independence of French West Africa from French colonial rule, it has been recognized as one of the most stable countries on the African continent, with a history of peaceful transfer of power.
Because of its history of French colonial rule, French is the official language. Over 30 languages are spoken in Senegal, and Wolof is the most widely spoken one, with 80% of the population speaking it as a first or second language. Senegal's economic and political capital is Dakar.
Most of the population is on the coast and works in agriculture or other food industries, or in other major industries such as mining, tourism, and services. Senegal is classified as a heavily indebted poor country, ranked 170th in the Human Development Index. Senegal has prioritized increasing economic growth. The government’s Plan Senegal Emergent aims to sustain an economic growth of at least 6% and population growth of no more than 3%. The country has identified a need for increased private sector led growth and investment.
The bilateral relationship between the United States and Senegal is strong and Senegalese have an overall positive opinion of the United States. Senegal is focused on preventing violent extremism and terrorism.
Senegal’s Higher Education System
The basis of Senegal’s development lies in education, where almost half the state's budget is spent. For decades Senegal has led its African counterparts in the field of education, especially higher education. Every citizen is given the privilege to attend school to learn to read and write.
The Senegalese education system is based on its French equivalent, and university-level instruction is primarily in French. Senegal has seven public universities and multiple private universities. 28% of Senegal’s youth population attend a university, while 20% of the population has either a university degree or a certificate from one of the tertiary institutions.
With nearly half of the population under 19, the large youth population, combined with strikes that often close universities and a limited job market after graduation, present major challenges for the higher education sector.
The increased number of students in public universities has resulted in instability throughout the country’s higher education institutions. To overcome those challenges, the government created the Virtual University of Senegal (UVS) to allow each student to attend university in their home region, rather than moving to Dakar to attend the main university.
In 2022, Senegal inaugurated a new public university to teaching sciences, technology, and engineering, named University Ahmadou Makhtar Mbow in honor of the former Senegalese minister for education and culture who was the director-general of UNESCO from 1974 to 1987. The government of Senegal has a goal of opening four other new universities in the coming years.
The Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation is the national government authority responsible for higher education and scientific research policy in Senegal, under the authority of the Prime Minister. In 2023, The World Bank approved $150 million in financing to improve the capacity of Senegal's higher education institutions to produce graduates with vocational skills that match the job market’s needs, in line with goals of promoting inclusive growth, shared prosperity, and gender equality in Senegal.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION FOR FULBRIGHT RECIPIENTS
The Cultural Affairs Office of the U.S. Embassy in Senegal supports American scholars and researchers at Senegalese institutions under the auspices of the Fulbright Researcher Program. Questions related to Fulbright and other U.S. Government sponsored exchange programs should be submitted to DakarUSAExchanges@state.gov
U.S. Embassy priorities are: advancing democratic values, advancing peace and security, promoting opportunity and development (increased inclusive economic growth, improved health status, improved education, training, and leadership), and increasing U.S. trade and investment.
Participants will be asked to submit an evaluation at the conclusion of the seminar. It is not necessary to obtain a visa for participation in the program. Senegal requires proof of yellow fever vaccination for travelers entering the country. The seminar cannot accommodate dependents. The seminar will be administered by the Fulbright Commission in France and the West African Research Center in Dakar, Senegal.