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.
Host institutions welcome scholars to conduct research activities. The student body is highly engaged and appreciates robust intellectual debate. As a Fulbright researcher you will have the opportunity to engage with well resourced institutions, and a highly diverse academic community to push the boundaries of your chosen field.
Awardees can conduct research in any area of specialization, assist in developing the research capabilities of your host institution, and advise student research. Post will also provide opportunities for the awardee to share their expertise with local audiences and/or the media. In rare cases, final selectees may be asked to add a teaching component to their research proposal.
Any appropriate UAE institution. Applicants are strongly encouraged but not required to arrange an affiliation prior to submitting their application. Applicants may consider the following institutions and are welcome to develop their own institutional relationships: Preference is for candidates to be hosted by an Emirati institution; affiliations with U.S. style institutions or institutions with a large non-Emirati population will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain
Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi
Higher Colleges of Technology, multiple locations
Ajman University, Ajman
Zayed University, Dubai or Abu Dhabi
American University of Dubai, Dubai
University of Sharjah, Sharjah
American University of Sharjah, Sharjah
American University of Ras al-Khaima, Ras al-Khaima
Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi
Al Qassimi Foundation, Ras Al Khaimah
Fujairah Fine Arts academy, Fujairah
Sharjah Performing Arts Academy, Sharjah
Hamdan Bin Mohamed Smart University, Dubai
Mohamed Bin Rashed University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai
Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities, Abu Dhabi
Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, Abu Dhabi
American University in the Emirates, Dubai
New Media Academy, Dubai
Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, Abu Dhabi
Host institutions can only host scholars based on the academic year. The academic year in the UAE is from September to June. The calendar may be adjusted around Islamic holidays.
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.
During their grant period, Fulbright U.S. Scholars in the Middle East and North Africa region may apply for a short-term regional travel grant (three to fourteen days) for participation in a variety of activities including faculty and student lectures, graduate or faculty seminars, curriculum development, public lectures, panel presentations, needs assessment, conferences, or some combination thereof. Scholars who apply for the Flex award are ineligible for the Regional Travel Program.
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
For names and addresses of institutional representatives, visit institutional websites or contact Ms. Jinan Jarrah, Cultural Assistant at the U.S. Embassy, at JarrahJ@state.gov.
For applicants without Arabic language proficiency, feasibility of conducting research in English must be demonstrated in the proposal. If Arabic is needed to conduct the research, the language proficiency evaluation must be completed.
Academics holding a Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree and have a record of research are preferred.
$1,550 for relocation, in-transit, and excess baggage fees.
Plus round-trip, economy-class, international travel arranged by travel agent selected by IIE.
For Flex grants: round trip travel will be included for each segment of the grant. The relocation, in-transit, and excess baggage allowance will be divided by number of segments.
$2,000 research allowance for research-only grants.
For Flex grants: allowance will be divided by number of segments.
Additional living (monthly) allowance is provided for grantees with one accompanying dependent or two or more accompanying dependents. These amounts range from $2182/month to $5734/month.
Round-trip, economy-class, international travel is arranged by travel agent selected by IIE, for up to two dependents. Dependent travel will not be provided for Flex grants.
Dependent tuition allowance for dependents in grades K-12 is provided on a reimbursement basis upon submission of receipts, and based on the availability of funds. Reimbursement is based on actual cost of tuition and fees only.
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.
$2,500 one-time allowance for required insurance.
For Flex grants: allowance will be divided by number of segments.
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.
Overview
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is situated in the Southeast of the Arabian Peninsula, bordering Oman and Saudi Arabia. UAE is a federation of seven emirates - Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al-Quwain, and Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah. The capital city is Abu Dhabi, located in the largest and wealthiest of the seven emirates. In December 2021, the UAE celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Since its founding in 1971, the UAE has developed rapidly and is known for its modern infrastructure, international events, and status as a trade and transport hub.
UAE Population and Language:
Although Arabic is the official language of the country, English is widely spoken and understood. Other languages spoken in the UAE include Hindi, Malayan, Urdu, Pashto, Tagalog, and Persian. Nearly 85% of the population lives in the Emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah.
Business and economy:
The UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus. The UAE is also one of the most diversified countries in the Gulf and successful efforts at economic diversification have focused on tourism and trade.
Food:
Given the diversity of the UAE, one can find a wide range of culinary establishments and choices. International fast food and fine dining restaurants are abundant across the UAE.
Housing:
Property rentals change depending on the Emirate, and Abu Dhabi has the highest average rental rates. For example, Al Reem island in Abu Dhabi is very popular and is currently one of the most in-demand areas in Abu Dhabi for properties. Yearly rental rates in Abu Dhabi can range between AED 50,000 for a studio apartment to AED 100,000 for a two-bedroom apartment. Housing prices in Dubai differ based on proximity to the city center.
Schools:
The UAE has numerous K-12 private school options for expats throughout the country. When registering for school, it is important to understand the different grade levels. For example, ‘KG1’ in the UAE is the same as pre-school in the United States. Tuition for KG1 ranges between $5,000 and $16,000 USD per year.
Visa:
Approved U.S. Scholars are required to work with their respective sponsors (host institutions) to secure residency visas in the UAE. The host institutions will coordinate with local government to facilitate the residency visa process, which includes a background check or other administrative processes.
U.S. Scholars must contact the international office at the host university at least three months in advance to request the initiation of the residency visa process. Alternatively, they can obtain a temporary (one month) visit visa upon arrival but must exit and re-enter the country every 30 days to renew it until they can obtain a work or residency visa.
Safety and Security:
For the latest travel information, please visit: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/UnitedArabEmirates.html
All travelers are also encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program before traveling. https://step.state.gov/
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.