Middle East and North Africa Regional Research Program
Multi-Country
Multi-country
Bahrain
Egypt
Israel
Jordan
Kuwait
Morocco
Oman
Palestinian Territories (West Bank)
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Tunisia
United Arab Emirates
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.
Conduct research or develop a professional project in two or three of the participating countries or locations within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Scholars must be approved for research in at least two countries or locations in order to receive the award. Final awards are contingent upon each host country/location approval and clearance by host countries, as appropriate.
Any appropriate institutions in two or three of the following locations in the Middle East and North Africa: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Palestinian Territories (West Bank).
Three to nine months; For Flex grants, see Flex Description.
Grants may begin any time after September 1, 2025. Grant start dates may vary by grant duration proposed. Grant durations are preferred during academic calendar. Summer months are on a case-by-case basis in consultation with host institution and may require additional approvals. All non-Flex grants must be completed by August 31, 2026.
The Flex Award is designed for scholars who require multiple visits to the host country. This option allows grants to be conducted over two or three short in-country segments. Applicants must select Flex in the application form and clearly describe their plans for Flex in their project statement, which must include a timeline. Flex grantees may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host-country academic community.
The Flex Award is designed for scholars who require multiple visits to the host country. This option allows grants to be conducted over two or three short segments. Applicants must select Flex in the application form, and clearly describe their plans for Flex in their project statement, including a project timeline. Flex grantees may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host-country academic community.
The award is open to all disciplines. Projects that address the following topics are strongly encouraged: regional security, education and coexistence, health, clean energy, tourism, food security and water technology. Special consideration will be given to projects that focus on building networks of cooperation to advance common interests, regional stability, and prosperity in the Middle East.
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
Citizenship/Residency and Invitation Letter Requirements vary by country. Please check the lists below carefully for the requirements of the countries/territories you are proposing to visit.
Citizenship/Residency Requirements:
- All U.S. citizens are eligible to apply, regardless of dual citizenship or residency: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Qatar, Tunisia and Palestinian Territories (West Bank).
- Applicants residing in the award country at the time of application or thereafter are not eligible to apply for this award: Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco.
- Dual citizens of the award country are not eligible to apply for this award. Applicants residing in the award country at the time of application or thereafter are not eligible to apply for this award: Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates.
Invitation Letter Requirements:
- A letter of invitation is required: Israel, United Arab Emirates, Palestinian Territories (West Bank).
- A letter of invitation is strongly preferred: Jordan, Kuwait.
- A letter of invitation is preferred: Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia.
- A letter of invitation should not be sought: Bahrain, Qatar.
Language proficiency sufficient to complete the research project is required. English may be sufficient depending on location. However, feasability of conducting the project in English must be demonstrated in the project statement. Applicants must submit the language proficiency external evaluation if English is not sufficient.
Please note that for projects that include Morocco and/or Tunisia, a one- or two-page Arabic or French summary of the research project is required with the application. Please review the latest application guidance on providing this summary.
Professionals who have a demonstrated record of research will be considered.
Monthly benefits will follow the rates for Researchers of Fulbright U.S. Scholar grants in each proposed country. These figures can be found under the "Award Benefits" tab on the award pages for the proposed countries in the catalog.
Round-trip, economy-class, international travel arranged by travel agent selected by IIE, for scholar and up to two accompanying dependents. An allowance will be provided to cover the costs associated with relocation and excess baggage.
For Flex grants: round trip travel will be included for each segment of the grant for the grantee only.
$2,000 research allowance.
For Flex grants: the research allowance will be divided by the number of segments.
Dependent benefits will follow the rates of Fulbright U.S. Scholar grants in each proposed country. These figures can be found under the "Award Benefits" tab on the award pages for the proposed countries in the catalog.
For Flex grants: dependent monthly allowances, travel, and dependent tuition allowance will not be provided.
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.
Please refer to the figures above for an estimate of total monthly Fulbright award benefits. Benefits may include a monthly base stipend, living and housing allowances, and additional one-time allowances. Benefits may vary based on a scholar's current academic rank (or professional equivalent), the city of placement, the type of award (teaching, teaching/research, or research), and the number of and duration of stay of accompanying dependents. Research-only or Professional Project grantees receive a standard stipend that is not adjusted for academic rank. In most cases, dependent benefits will not be provided to Flex grantees, or to grantees pursuing grants less than four months (or a semester) in length.
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 reserves the right to alter, without notice, participating countries, number of awards and allowances.
This award is intended for applicants whose research projects are historical or contemporary in focus, comparative or regional in scope, or based on data collected in several countries. The project must be conducted in two or three countries of the region for applications to be considered. Projects that involve collaboration with host country colleagues and institutions, and that will contribute to cooperation among countries of the region, are particularly encouraged. Projects may be undertaken in the following areas of the Middle East and North Africa: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman, Palestinian Territories (West Bank), Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and United Arab Emirates. For more details on each country requirments or potential points of contacts, please click on the country link.
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.
Project statements must include a detailed itinerary of proposed travel to each country, including proposed institutions.
Applications must include invitation letters from appropriate institutions confirming affiliation for each country that requires a letter.