Fulbright Scholar Award

Morocco-Spain Joint Teaching/Research Award

Multi-Country

Morocco

Spain

Multi-country

Application Deadline
closed
Award Code
25203-MC
Activity Type
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) 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

Approximately
1
Award Start Period
September 2025 - January 2026
Award Length
6 months, or 7 months, or 8 months, or 9 months, or 10 months
Flex Option
No
Multi-Country/Area Award
Yes
Multi-Country
2
Disciplines
Projects are sought in all disciplines
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

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

Award sponsored by Fulbright Commissions in  Rabat and Madrid

  • Scholars may teach, conduct research or pursue a combination of teaching/research activities at Moroccan and Spanish academic and research institutions
  • Projects that are comparative in nature and address issues linking Morocco & Spain are strongly encouraged
  • Activities may include presenting lectures, seminars and workshops as arranged by host institutions or the Fulbright Commissions
  • No less than 40% of the grant period may be spent in either country.
Locations Detail

 Moroccan and Spanish universities, institutions of higher education, cultural, or research centers.

Award Length and Period

Six to 10 months

Grants may begin anytime after September 1, 2025 and must be completed by July 31, 2026.

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.
Dual citizens of the award country 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 required.
Invitation Requirement Additional Information

A letter of invitation is required from a host institution in each country.

  • Applicants must arrange affiliation with a host institution in both  Morocco and Spain.
  • Letters must indicate the names and positions of the academic advisers from the host institutions with whom the scholar will collaborate.
  • The letters should also specify the teaching programs, workloads, and availability of research resources.
  • The letters of affiliation should indicate that authors understand the proposed project or teaching and/or research.
  • Host institutions are encouraged to note direct and in-kind contributions (such as facilities) in the letter of invitation/affiliation. These contributions help maximize the benefits provided by the Fulbright Program and can serve as a sign of the host institution’s commitment to the particular project.

The Fulbright Commission in Morocco can offer suggestions and propose institutions and contacts but securing an affiliate is the applicant's responsibility.

The Fulbright Commission in Spain cannot assist in establishing contacts at prospective host institutions. 

 

Language Proficiency Requirements
None, English is sufficient. However, feasibility of conducting the project must be demonstrated in the project statement
Additional Language Requirement

Language proficiency should be commensurate with the project scope. Arabic, French, or Spanish proficiency is not required as long as it is not necessary to complete the teaching or research project.

  • Some study of Arabic and French or Spanish prior to arrival is encouraged in order to promote deeper engagement with the host community. Please discuss this point with your host institutions beforehand.
  • In Spain, ask specifically whether a language other than Spanish is widely used in the area (Catalan, Basque, or Galician).
Additional Qualification Information

Open to mid-career and senior scholars in all relevant disciplines at all academic ranks and professional equivalents.

Additional Comments

For Research in Morocco:

Moroccan government clearance is required for all research projects and this may take three or four months to obtain once submitted by the Commission to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Fulbright Commission in Rabat requests clearance on behalf of all American Fulbrighters. The project statement in your application must include a detailed plan of research. A one-page summary of proposed activities in Arabic or French is also required for research clearance. This summary can be added in the letter of invitation section of the application.  If the applicant is not proficient in one of these two languages, it is recommended that the applicant get the summary translated. The Commission will forward this summary along with the clearance request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

While awaiting official clearance, research may be done on the basis of a "lettre d'attestation" (letter of credence) which will be provided by the Commission. Subsequent changes to the research topic, host institution, or research sites are not recommended, as a second research clearance may have to be initiated, which will take additional time. With some exceptions, notably research in political affairs, research may begin with the lettre d'attestation, which is delivered to grantees during in-country orientation. Applicants should be aware of their on-line presence, since negative remarks concerning Morocco may surface during the official clearance process, resulting in denial of clearance.

Additional information for Moroccan research clearance will be requested at the semi-final (or final) selection stage.

Award Allowances

Morocco:      

  • Base: $2,000-$2,300 per month, depending on grant type and seniority
  • Housing: $700-$900 per month, depending on number of dependents
  • Monthly subsistence: $900-$1,500 per month, depending on number of dependents

Spain:       

  • Scholar: €3,200 per month
  • Dependents: a monthly allowance of €150  for one dependent or €300 for two or more dependents.

These amounts cover the monthly stipend, housing and living allowances and will be paid as a lump sum once the Grant is formalized (in Euros or in Dollars, at a conversion rate to be determined on April 15th, 2024. View conversion rates).

Allowances identified above for dependents apply only to those accompanying the Scholar for at least 80 percent of the grant period in each country. Funds will be distributed 100% in U.S. Dollars.

Estimated Travel and Relocation Allowance for Grantee

One-time travel allowance for round-trip travel from/to the U.S. and travel from the first country (Morocco or Spain) to the second country (Morocco or Spain) as follows:

$2,400 for the scholar, ($1200 paid by Morocco and $1200 paid by Spain) plus $1200 ($600 paid by Morocco and $600 paid by Spain) plus $1200 per dependent for up to two dependents. 

This allowance is provided by funding from both the U.S.-Morocco and U.S.-Spain Fulbright Commissions. Grantees must then book their own travel in accordance with the Fly America Act requirements (economy class, US-Airline only, etc.) 

Estimated Book and Research Allowance

Morocco: $500 if the scholar will reside in Morocco for more than five months, $250 if less than five months.

Spain: N/A

Do you offer additional dependent benefits
Yes

Morocco: Monthly housing and subsistence rates increase depending on number of dependents. See above. No tuition allowance will be provided. English-language schooling is available. An alliance of American schools in Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech and Tangier follow a regular U.S. curriculum. For Department of State information on K-12 schools in general, visit the Office of Overseas Schools website. Information is also available about RabatCasablancaMarrakech, and Tangier.

Spain:  A monthly allowance of €150  for one dependent or €300 for two or more dependents. No tuition allowance will be provided. Both public and private schools in Spain have bilingual or English language instruction available. 

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.

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.

Countries Overview

 Morocco and Spain share environmental, historical, and cultural links at all levels back through time. These range from their shared geology and climate in the western Mediterranean to the kingdoms of Al-Andalus and the Sephardic Jewish community and more modern times with the establishment of the Spanish Protectorate over northern Morocco and the presence of Spanish cities, Ceuta and Melilla, along the southern shores of the Mediterranean on the African continent. Nearly a half million Moroccans have migrated to Spain in the last generation and Spanish investment in Morocco is strong and widespread.  Deep artistic and architectural influences are shared between the two countries. 

Morocco offers much to the talented researcher, teacher, or scholar. With its three major languages—Arabic, Berber (Amazigh), and French—Morocco’s past is reflected in every aspect of its present. American grantees in Morocco have lived in environments ranging from big-city Casablanca to nomadic encampments in the Sahara. The Moroccan university year begins in late September and runs through late June to early July. University breaks depend on Islamic holidays, fall in the latter half of January following fall semester exams, and there is a spring break in mid-March. More information on Moroccan institutions of higher education may be found at the 2018 University Web Ranking website for Morocco. The Moroccan-American Commission for Educational and Cultural Exchange (MACECE) in Rabat, the Fulbright Commission for Morocco, can help you make contact with Moroccan universities, professors, professionals, and NGOs. All Fulbright programs for Morocco are available at the MACECE website. If seeking support for a possible host institution affiliate, please send your CV and proposal abstract to  US Programs Officer, Ikram Boukhari at i.boukhari@fulbright.ma with your inquiry.  

Grantees and their accompanying dependents may need to renew their tourist visas every three months. While MACECE will make every effort to assist grantees and their dependents in requesting visa extensions from the Moroccan government, grantees must recognize the possibility that visa renewal requests may be denied. In some cases, there may be a need to exit Morocco to another country and re-enter to obtain a new tourist visa entry stamp.  All expenses associated with visa renewals and the exit/re-entry costs associated with the renewal process are the responsibility of the grantees, in accordance with their grant terms and conditions. 

Spain is one of the most multi-ethnic nations in Europe, both today and in its past. Spain's universities are increasingly focused on internationalization. By offering degree programs taught partially or entirely in English, they are attracting students from a wide variety of other countries, providing viewpoints in studies and discussions that are often unique and enriching for U.S. Scholars. Scholars will be afforded the opportunity to both teach (undergraduate and/or graduate students, depending on award) and research at their host institutions, and are often invited to work with faculty on curriculum development. Research groups are usually multicultural and English is predominantly the working language. Research/teaching proposals will be evaluated not only for their excellence, but also for their potential to increase mutual understanding and future collaboration between Spain and the United States. The academic year in Spain broadly runs from September to June, with breaks during the Winter and Spring holidays (approximately December 22-January 8 and coinciding with the weeks surrounding and including the Catholic Holy Week). Research activity continues in July, whereas August is a very quiet month and most institutions are closed. For more detailed information about Spain, please see the OECD's Spain profile. Prospective applicants may contact the Spanish Fulbright Commission for further information at informacion@fulbright.es or www.fulbright.es.

Research/teaching proposals will be evaluated not only for their excellence but also for their potential to increase mutual understanding and future collaboration between Morocco, Spain, and the United States. Morocco and Spain share environmental, historical, and cultural links at all levels back through time and the aim of this award is to heighten awareness of those links.

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