Fulbright Scholar Award

Multiple Disciplines

Tajikistan

Application Deadline
closed
Award Code
25108-TJ
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) 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

Up To
2
Award Start Period
September 2026 - February 2027
Award Length
6 months - 10 months
Flex Option
No
Multi-Country/Area Award
No
Disciplines
Agriculture
Arts
Biology
Business
Chemistry
Computer Science
Economics
Education
Engineering
Environmental Sciences
Environmental Studies
Gender Studies
Geology
History (non- U.S.)
Information Sciences/Systems
International Relations
Journalism
Law
Literature (non- U.S.)
Marketing
Materials Science
Medical Sciences
Physics
Psychology
Public Administration
Public Health
Public Policy
Social Work
Sociology
TEFL
Tourism
Urban Planning/Studies
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

Grantees in the teaching category will teach classes at the undergraduate or graduate level. Grantees in the teaching/research category will spend 80 percent of their time teaching undergraduate or graduate students, while 20 percent of their time will be spent on research in their specialization. There will be an opportunity for several guest lectures at other universities.

Locations Detail

- University of Central Asia (all subjects, in particular, earth science and environmental studies)

- Technological University of Tajikistan (economics and information technology)

- Tajik State University of Commerce Dushanbe (business, marketing, economics, and tourism hospitality)

- Institute of Economy and Trade of Tajik State University of Commerce in Khujand (business, marketing, economics, and tourism hospitality)

- Tajik State Institute of Foreign Languages (English Language Faculty) - +992 37 2329515;

- Khujand State University (English Language Faculty)

- Khorog State University (English Language Faculty) - +992 93 559 8455;

- National University of Tajikistan (English Language Department, journalism, and international relations)

- Kulob State University (English Language Faculty and international relations) - +992 3322 23506;

- Bokhtar State University (English Language Faculty) - +992 93 311 0005;

- Pedagogical Institute of Panjakent (English Language Faculty) - +992 34 755 4050;

- Pedagogical Institute of Gharm (English Language Faculty) - +992 93 314 0168;

- Tajik State Medical University (medical sciences)

Award Length and Period

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

All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).

Citizenship/Residency Requirement
Not applicable – all U.S. citizens are eligible to apply, regardless of dual citizenship or residency.
Invitation Requirement
A letter of invitation is preferred.
Language Proficiency Requirements
None, English is sufficient. However, feasibility of conducting the project must be demonstrated in the project statement
Additional Language Requirement

Tajik or Russian language proficiency is needed for teaching courses at most Tajik universities (with the exception of Teaching English as a Foreign Language). Tajik State University of Commerce in Khujand and the University of Central Asia in Dushanbe or Khorog, however, offer courses in English.

For research projects, language proficiency sufficient to complete the research project is required; teaching/research applicants must submit a language proficiency evaluation. For applicants without local language proficiency, feasibility of conducting the project must be demonstrated in the project statement.

Additional Qualification Information

Candidates with terminal degrees and a minimum of three years of university or college teaching experience are preferred. Professionals and nonacademics will be considered if they have the requisite three years of university or college teaching experience.

Additional Comments

Grantee will teach during the academic year (September 2025 through June 2026) in a Tajik university. University classes are generally held Monday through Saturday.

The Fulbright U.S. Scholar will likely be the first American that many Tajik students have ever met and will have a tremendous opportunity to expand cultural understanding.

Due to the low educational standards, the scholar should be prepared to teach students who lag academically behind their American peers.

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

Award Allowances

Stipends are calculated within this range based on a number of factors including a participant’s grant activity, location in the host country, number of dependents, and home institution position.

Teaching or Teaching/Research Award Monthly Allowances
$4240
$4660
Estimated Travel and Relocation Allowance for Grantee

Round-trip, Fly America Act compliant international travel for the grantee will be arranged by an agency designated by IIE.

Additional Travel and Relocation Allowances: $3,900.00

Estimated Book and Research Allowance

$1,500 for book and educational materials allowance. Materials to be donated to the host institution (or other entity) upon grantee's departure

Do you offer additional dependent benefits
Yes

Additional living and housing allowance is provided for grantees with one accompanying dependent or two or more accompanying dependent. These amounts range from $200/month to $400/month.

In addition, travel allowances are provided for up to two dependents.

Up to $6,000 per child (up to two) or $12,000 per family for accompanying dependent children in grades K-12 is reimbursed for one semester, upon submission of receipts.  Up to $12,000 per child (up to two) or $24,000 per family for accompanying dependent children in grades K-12 is reimbursed for two semesters, upon submission of receipts. Amount may be adjusted for shorter grant periods. Reimbursement is based on actual cost of tuition and fees only or homeschooling materials.

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

South and Central Asia Fulbright Regional Travel Grant

With additional funding provided by the United States Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, during their grant period, Fulbright Scholars in the South and Central Asia (SCA) region may apply for a regional travel grant to engage in a variety of activities at academic institutions or non-profit organizations in eligible SCA countries (Bangladesh, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan). Activities that U.S Scholars may engage in include: faculty and student lectures, graduate or faculty seminars, conferences, curriculum development, public lectures, panel presentations, needs assessment, or some combination thereof. Scholars in the arts may be invited to give master classes or recitals, participate in exhibitions or workshops, or consult with cultural institutions. Activities may not include research. This grant will cover travel to and from the destination and lodging may be offered by the hosting institution. Scholars may only apply for this grant once they are in country on their Fulbright grant, and as funds are limited, may only participate in one Regional Travel Grant during their Fulbright grant.

Before traveling to another country on a Regional Travel Grant, it is important to confirm trip details with the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section or Fulbright Commission in that country.

South and Central Asia Fulbright Conference

With funding provided by the United States Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the U.S.-India Educational Foundation (the Fulbright Commission in India) invites eligible Fulbright grantees in the South and Central Asia region to attend the annual South and Central Asia Fulbright Conference in India (usually held in February or March). The conference is an opportunity for Fulbright U.S. Scholars and U.S. Student Researchers who are on their Fulbright grants in the SCA region at the time of the conference to gather to discuss each other’s work, network, and share their experiences as international exchange participants. 

Financial assistance to attend the conference is provided as an additional Fulbright grant benefit.

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.

Tajikistan

What is life like for Fulbrighters in your country?

Tajikistan is one of the world's most remote countries, both in terms of access by and to the outside world. International flights are generally available three times a week, via Dubai and Istanbul. Regional flights to Tashkent and Almaty are available more frequently.

Both university administrators and students recognize the benefits of having an American professor teaching at their institution and welcome the academic and cultural interactions. Most classes are taught in Tajik, although several universities have English departments and groups taught primarily in English. A knowledge of Tajik or Russian is helpful in navigating day-to-day life. This is the only post-Soviet country in which one of the Persian languages is spoken. Individual scholars should be prepared to be flexible and to work in a university environment where their Tajik colleagues rely less on technology in the classroom and their university's administration.

Tajikistan is famous for its unforgettable nature and the hospitality of its people. The untouched peaks of the snowy mountains and the purity of wild rivers are mesmerizing. In their free time, our Fulbright grantees enjoy hiking trails along stunning places of the Fann mountains, such as Iskanderkul, Kulikalon, Alauddin and Haft Kul. 

A motivated Fulbright Scholar would have an opportunity to make a significant impact during his/her grant period in Tajikistan.

The academic year runs from September to June. The first semester is from September to January; the second semester is from late January to June.

Contact: For more information, contact Parvina Adylova at the U.S. Embassy Dushanbe (AdylovaPH@state.gov).

 

Previous Fulbright Recipients

John Miglietta, 2021-2022 Scholar, Professor of Political Science Tennessee State University https://www.tnwac.org/calendar/geopolitics-of-central-asia-prof-john-miglietta/

"I was awarded a teaching Fulbright to Tajikistan in 2021-2022. I was teaching political science at the University of Central Asia in Khorog with a focus on international relations. I thoroughly enjoyed my Fulbright in Tajikistan. The country is beautiful, and the people were extremely welcoming. I had the opportunity to live in Dushanbe and Khorog. I was fortunate as I was able to experience life in the capital city as well as in the Pamirs. Dushanbe is a wonderful city, and I was fortunate to work with the staff at American Space Dushanbe as well as English Without Borders. Here I got to know many educators and students. I was able to give several presentations on a variety of topics such as history, literature, and the United States. I also helped to organize chess tournaments at American Space Dushanbe and American Space Extension in Vahdat. In Vahdat I had the opportunity to work with and get to know many people from Afghanistan. Khorog is the jewel of the Pamirs. It was very exhilarating to wake up every morning and see beautiful mountains. The University of Central Asia is a great university, and everyone was very welcoming. Being a residential university, it truly had a sense of community. I learned a great deal from my Fulbright experience. I was enriched by making friends and colleagues that I will treasure for the rest of my life. I also believe I grew as a teacher and a scholar because of my experience."

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