Fulbright Scholar Award

Media Literacy and Cybersecurity

Romania

Application Deadline
closed
Award Code
25169-RO
Activity Type
Professional Project
The Professional Project activity type provides professionals and artists in various fields the opportunity to interact with relevant organizations abroad to explore a topic related to their field without answering a defined research question. Professional Projects may include: professional consultations; artist residencies; visits to organizations in the applicant's field; practical experience in day-to-day operations; public lectures; mentoring; arranging exhibitions, performances or musical compilations; preparation of print materials (books, articles, or reviews); exchange of expertise with other professionals; participation in public events; or other appropriate professional activities.
Research
Research includes activities involving scientific research, qualitative research, quantitative research, and practice-based research, including artistic research. Research can take place in locations such as the laboratory, the field, the archives, or an artist residency. It can be experimental, clinical, or applied. It can include examining policies, systems, theories, methods, interactions, and works of art and music, with the objective to evaluate or develop new knowledge or works. Quantifiable (tangible) outcomes can include publications (books, journal articles, scripts, etc.), conference presentations, artistic and musical compositions, exhibitions, performances, films, and patents.
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.
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) not required
Career Profile
Early Career Academics
Awards are open to those who have been working in the capacity of a teacher or scholar for no more than seven years.
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.
Professionals
Awards are open to individuals who have more than seven years of experience in a particular profession.
Senior Academics
Awards are open to those who have been working in the capacity of a teacher or scholar for more than 13 years.
Community College Faculty
Community College Faculty

Number of recipients

Approximately
2
Award Start Period
October 2026 or February 2027
Award Length
3 months, or 4 months - 4.5 months, or 9 months
Flex Option
No
Multi-Country/Area Award
No
Disciplines
Communications
Computer Science
Information Sciences/Systems
Law
Mathematics
Political Science
Public Administration
Scholars selected for this award can choose to
Advise and/or mentor students
Assist in faculty, curriculum, and/or program development
Conduct a research project designated by the host institution
Conduct a research project of the applicant’s choosing
Teach graduate and/or undergraduate courses designated by the host institution
Teach graduate and/or undergraduate courses of the applicant’s choosing
Conduct a professional and/or artistic project

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

Teach courses and seminars at the undergraduate and graduate level with a special emphasis on practical applications.

Propose a professional project and/or participate in an already existing project. 

For research and teaching/research proposals, conduct research in area/s of specialization. 

Assist with curriculum development and other activities as requested.

Assist with the further development of media literacy education and/or cutting-edge cybersecurity studies, especially at the university level, in Romania.

Award Length and Period

Four or nine months. Under certain circumstances, the Fulbright Commission in Romania may consider three months (minimum).

Grants begin in October 2025 (Fall Semester) or February 2026 (Spring Semester).

Areas of Interest

All appropriate disciplines are encouraged to apply. Preferred specialization includes: digital society, digital humanities, the new media, Science, Technology and Society (STS), or cybersecurity.

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 is preferred.
Language Proficiency Requirements
None, English is sufficient
Additional Language Requirement

All teaching and research will be in English; proficiency in another language is not required.

You may be asked to participate in an interview as part of the in-country selection process.

Award Allowances
  • STIPEND

    Instalment & monthly payment schedule:

    Assistant professor or below: $4,300*

    Associate or full professor: $4,500*

    *The amount includes $1,400 which represent an Additional Stipend as a Special Country Benefit and are disbursed on a monthly basis in RON based on the average USD/RON exchange rate as specified in the Terms and Conditions of the Award. 

Estimated Travel and Relocation Allowance for Grantee

TRAVEL AND RELOCATION

One-time payments, included in the 1st instalment:

Travel Allowance: $1,800

Relocation Allowance: $1,400

Community Integration Allowance: $800

 

Do you offer additional dependent benefits
Yes

DEPENDENT TRAVEL AND RELOCATION ALLOWANCE: $2,200 one-time payment for one accompanying dependent / $4,400 for two or more dependents who accompany the grantee for at least 80 percent of the grant period

DEPENDENT SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCE: $300 per month for one dependent / $400 per month for two or more dependents who accompany the grantee for at least 80 percent of the grant period. These amounts are disbursed in RON based on the average USD/RON exchange rate as specified in the Terms and Conditions of the Award. 

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.

Special Award Benefits

In-country work-related travel: The Fulbright Commission reimburses travel costs for active participation (e.g. as lecturer, speaker, consultant) in academic activities, such as conferences, seminars, and workshops organized by other universities in the Romania (depending on availability of funds).

Enrichment opportunities: In-country orientation (beginning of both semesters), winter holidays meeting, and end-of-the-year meeting  

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.

Romania

What is life like for Fulbrighters in your country?

Thanks to its historical circumstances and geographical position north of the Balkan Peninsula, on the Lower Danube River and bordering the Black Sea, Romanian culture is a unique mix of Central and Eastern European elements, with Roman, Greek, and Slavic influences.  Romania is a very diverse and dynamic country, developing economically and socially at a swift pace. It has proved an excellent host for the Fulbright Program and the U.S. Fulbright grantees, who at the end of their programs leave with durable memories and friends - while many of them are happy to revisit Romania.     

Higher education in Romania has undergone deep structural transformations in the past decades, having changed from a state-controlled system before 1990 to a more competitive one with a larger number of students and growing research activities and presence in the international academic community. The quality of the higher education sector is expected to improve in the coming years due to legislated educational reforms and increased funding. Internationalization and academic mobility are becoming one of the priorities of Romanian higher education institutions.

The Fulbright Program in Romania

The Fulbright Program has been present in Romania since 1960, and it is highly appreciated and valued, as it brought durable changes on Romania’s path to progress and democratization, and profoundly influenced lives and professional careers, communities at large. Since 1960, over 3600 Romanians and Americans participated in these exchanges, benefitting from funding for graduate studies, research, teaching and cultural exchanges in general.

The Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission was inaugurated in May 1993 with the support of the American and Romanian Governments, following the bilateral agreement between the U.S. Department of State and the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Applicants are encouraged to visit the Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission's website for current information on various grants, but also for updates, news and testimonials from our Fulbright grantees and alumni.

For any additional information, please contact the Commission’s American Program Director Mihai Moroiu: mihai.moroiu@fulbright.ro

Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission Website 

Facebook: Romanian.US.Fulbright.Commission

Instagram: @fulbrightromania

Twitter: @FulbrightRO

Previous Fulbright Recipients

U.S. Fulbright alumnus E. Patrick McDermott:

U.S. Fulbright alumna Amy Liu:

 

Current U.S. Grantees

Alumni Stories 

 

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