Fulbright Scholar Award

Multiple Disciplines

Albania

Application Deadline
closed
Award Code
25199-AL
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.

Number of recipients

Up To
1
Award Start Period
October 2025 or February 2026
Award Length
4 months - 5.5 months
Flex Option
Yes
Multi-Country/Area Award
No
Disciplines
Education
Gender Studies
Information Sciences/Systems
Journalism
Law
Public Administration
Public Health
Religious Studies
Social Work
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 at the undergraduate or graduate level or both in area of specialization.

Conduct research in area of specialization. 

Pending specific program needs, the Scholars may also be asked to assist with curriculum revision or new course development. Albanian universities could utilize Scholars' expertise in organizing international conferences and/or special programs.  

Scholars selected for this grant will be required to attend a mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation in Summer 2025.

Locations
Location Selection: Applicant may propose an appropriate host
Locations Detail

The Higher Education Quality Assurance Agency  http://ascal.al provides a Full list of Accredited Universities click link

The list of public higher education institutions is below:

University of Tirana Tirana University

University of Medicine, Tirana University of Medicine

Agricultural University of Tirana Agricultural University

University of Arts, Tirana University of Arts

Polytechnic University of Tirana Polytechnic University

Eqrem Çabej University of Gjirokastra Gjirokaster University

Luigj Gurakuqi University, Shkodra Luigj Gurakuqi U

Aleksander Xhuvani University, Elbasan Aleksander Xhuvani U

Fan. S. Noli University, Korce Fan S Noli U

Ismail Qemali University, Vlore Ismail Qemali U

 Aleksandër Moisiu University, Durres Aleksander Moisiu U

 

Award Length and Period

Four to five months

October 2025 or mid-February 2026

Flex Description

Flex awards are offered for teaching, teaching/research and research grants. 

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.

Grant segments are allowed to be conducted in summer months (June, July, and August)
No
SEGMENTS MAY BE PROPOSED FOR Up to a 2 year PERIOD
2 or 3 Segments MAY BE PROPOSED
MAXIMUM LENGTH FOR ANY GRANT SEGMENT IS 4 MONTH(S)
MAXIMUM LENGTH OF THE TOTAL GRANT IS 6 MONTH(S)
MINIMUM LENGTH FOR ANY GRANT SEGMENT IS 2 MONTH(S)
MINIMUM LENGTH OF THE TOTAL GRANT IS 4 MONTH(S)
Areas of Interest

Media Literacy, Public Health, Common Vulnerabilities Exposures (CVE), Cyber Security, Investigative Journalism, Women Studies, Higher Education Administration, Curriculum Development, and Public Administration.

Special Features

The U.S. Embassy will continue to assist scholars in identifying and securing acceptable housing. Host universities are also willing to work with scholars to help make housing arrangements.

The U.S. Embassy works with the Scholars to engage them in guest lecturing activites at other local universities, non-academic programs, and with local experts and think tanks as their program and schedule allows. 

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 optional.
Invitation Requirement Additional Information

The Public Affairs staff at the US Embassy will be happy to help establish contacts between interested applicants and potential host faculty members and/or leaders or provide information. 

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

English is sufficient for teaching. Undergraduate and graduate students are required to take an approved English language standardized test for admission to the university (TOEFL ITP, APTIS, and TOEIC).

Albanian language proficiency sufficient to complete the research project is required.

For applicants without local language proficiency, feasibility of conducting the project must be demonstrated in the project statement.

Additional Qualification Information

Applicants with an M.A. or other professional degree and at least five years of substantial experience in their fields. Administrative and academic experience is highly desirable.

Additional Comments

Below is a list of individuals who have expressed interest in collaboration on exchange programs.  This list is not exhaustive, but could serve as a helpful reference.

Award Allowances

Grant benefits include a monthly maintenance allowance, comprised of a base stipend and living and housing allowances. The base stipend varies based on a scholar's current academic rank (or professional equivalent). Living and housing allowances vary based on the city of placement, and the number of accompanying dependents. Dependent housing and living allowances will not be provided to Flex grantees.

Researcher and Professional Project Monthly Allowances
$3170
$3420
Teaching or Teaching/Research Award Monthly Allowances
$3940
$4410
Estimated Travel and Relocation Allowance for Grantee

$3,550

For Flex grants: round trip travel will be included for each segment of the grant for the grantee only.

Estimated Book and Research Allowance

$750 - Books and educational materials allowance for teaching and teaching/research grants; should 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 dependents. These amounts range from $100/month to $350/month. In addition, travel allowances are provided for dependents: $2,500 for one dependent, and $5,000 for two or more dependents.

Reimbursement for dependent education expenses may be available on a limited basis, depending on funding availability and grant duration. Grantees should confirm with IIE that proposed expenses meet eligibility criteria; however, availability of funds may not be known until the end of the academic year. 

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.

Albania

What is life like for Fulbrighters in your country?

Albania provides a unique opportunity for scholars interested in connecting with students and academics from a rapidly developing country in Europe. In the heart of the Mediterranean on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, Albania is a beautiful country with a varied climate and topography. In the last few years, it has become a popular travel destination.  Albania enjoys friendly and cooperative bilateral relations with the United States. Pro-American sentiment is widespread among the population. 

Still relatively unspoiled by globalization, Albania offers an inspiring mixture of civilizations and cultures. Scholars are impressed by the ancient history of Albania, the rich cultural tradition, and the harmony and respect shared among the adherents of the country’s three major religions: Islam, Roman Catholicism, and Orthodox Christianity. 

Albania has a young population eager to learn and study. The educational system has experienced constant change and improvement in the last twenty-five years to reflect global developments in education and to meet the changing needs of the population. In 2015, a group of educational experts, representatives of private and public universities, and other stakeholders drafted a new law on higher education. For the first time, all Albanian universities went through an institutional accreditation process led by the British Accreditation Agency and successfully concluded in December 2017. Find a full list of accredited universities link .  

There are 15 public universities and over 25 private universities in Albania. The Albanian higher education system is part of the European Higher Education Area and operates on a 3+2+3 scheme (3-year undergraduate degree, 2-year graduate degree - usually referred to as a Scientific Master’s Degree, and 3-year doctoral program). Both public and private universities have partnerships with European universities and exchange programs are largely funded through EU Erasmus programs. 

The country has some good universities with strong international connections but only one currently offers joint degree programs with foreign universities. However, all universities are working to introduce or increase instruction in English in order to attract international students. The Fulbright Program enjoys high prestige. The Public Affairs Section (PAS) at the U.S. embassy in Tirana is responsible for administering the Fulbright Program in the country. PAS staff help interested applicants identify potential host institutions, safe and affordable housing options, and organize an orientation program for the newly arrived U.S. grantees. The orientation program provides an overview of Albanian culture, current academic, political and practical issues, as well as medical and security briefings. Throughout the grant period, grantees are invited to participate in cultural enrichment programs or engage in additional academic or non-academic activities with a variety of audiences.  

The living conditions and infrastructure in Albania are good, particularly in cities. However, rural areas are still developing and infrastructure, especially roads, can be poor. Monthly housing costs vary between $700 and $900, depending on location and size. An international English language school (K-12) is located in Tirana.  Instruction in English language is extremely limited outside of Tirana. 

Internet access is widely available in homes and in cafes in urban areas. Rural areas have more limited access to the Internet, but many people connect via smartphones.  Electronics are available for purchase but are often very expensive. 

Applications in all fields are welcome, but preference is given to those related to Journalism, Gender Studies, Human Rights, Education, Public Administration, Public Health, and Law.  

For further information contact Deputy Public Affairs Officer Amanda Roberson RobersonAS@state.gov and Educational Program Advisor Mirela Cupi Cupim@State.Gov, or visit the U.S. Embassy website

Previous Fulbright Recipients

Jay Shapiro, BetsAnn Smith, David Eric Archer, Melissa Perry, Elizabeth Daniels

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