Spain-Greece Joint Teaching/Research Award

Summary

One award is offered jointly by the Fulbright Commission in Greece and the Fulbright Commission in Spain. Greece and Spain share historical and cultural links dating back to ancient times. These include the Sephardic Jewish community of Greece (with its Ladino language and musical traditions), as well as the renowned Renaissance painter Domenikos Theotokopoulos, better known as El Greco.

Spain Overview

The U.S.-Spain Fulbright Commission provides extensive support to selected candidates regarding administrative issues, such as the visa and documentation processes, and ample pre-departure and arrival information. However, assistance in establishing contacts at prospective host institutions cannot be provided.

Please note that candidates with dual U.S./Spanish citizenship or candidates who are residing in Spain at the time of application or anytime thereafter are not eligible for the Fulbright Program in Spain.

What is life like for Fulbrighters in Spain?

Although Spain may be known for its nice weather and beautiful beaches, there are many other reasons why Spain has long been held as one of the most desirable destinations for Fulbright grantees. Spain’s higher education and research institutions, technological advancement, cultural opportunities, and modern infrastructure add to the country’s appeal as one of the most popular tourist destinations. Additionally, Spain’s relatively low cost of living makes it very affordable when compared to most other countries in the EU.

According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Spain has the highest life expectancy out of all European Union member states, at just above 80 years, and it is the 8th safest country in which to live out of all OECD member states. In fact, 82% of Spanish citizens report that they feel safe walking alone at night (World Gallup Poll).

Spain is comprised of excellent public transportation networks throughout the country. With its metropolitan public transport systems, including metro networks, buses, and trains, it is very easy to get around cities, smaller towns, or even across the country.

If you plan to come to Spain with your family, you will love the child-friendly environment. Although the Commission cannot provide assistance with school placements, rest assured that there are many options for high-quality and bilingual education. In Spain, there are public schools, private schools (religious and international), and semi-private (concertados).

For more detailed information about Spain, please see the OECD's Spain profile.

General Information about Spanish Universities and Research in Spain

There are 76 universities in Spain, 20 of which are private. 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 countries, providing viewpoints in studies and discussions that are often unique and enriching for U.S. Scholars. 

The academic year in Spain broadly runs from September to June, with breaks during the Winter and Spring holidays (approximately December 22-January 6 and coinciding with the weeks surrounding and including Easter). Research activity continues in July, whereas August is a very quiet month, and many academic and research institutions are closed for all or part of the month.

Additionally, there are various national and public research institutions that, together with universities, form the basic core of the Spanish public system of scientific research and technological development in Spain. These include:

The Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)

The Research Centre for Energy, Environment and Technology (CIEMAT)

The Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII)

The Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands (IAC)

The National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA).

Researchers are usually fluent in English, although there may be wide variation in students’ English proficiency. For day-to-day life, a working knowledge of Spanish is useful, especially in smaller cities and towns. Language proficiency should be commensurate with the project's scope. Please discuss this point with your host institution in advance.

The friendly and open nature of most Spaniards will help make it easy for you to engage in multidisciplinary research groups and collaborate with your host institution. Many former Fulbright Scholars to Spain maintain and nurture the mutual engagement and joint research they initiated with their Spanish hosts while they enjoyed their Fulbright grant.

Prospective applicants may contact the Spanish Fulbright Commission for further information at: informacion@fulbright.es or by visiting www.fulbright.es 

If you wish to hear from previous US Fulbright Scholars and Researchers about their experiences in Spain, check our Fulbright Spain- Alumni Voices reel here.

Enrichment activities: Depending on the grant dates, Scholars and Researchers are welcome to participate in enrichment activities. Research seminars are organized during the Fall and Spring semesters. For reference, please take a look at an overview of the 2023 Mediterranean Research Seminar organized in Alicante and watch the video testimonials from participants, as well as the recap video of the Crossing the Strait Seminar organized in Córdoba during the Spring of 2024. 

Greece Overview

Greece is located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. A member of the European Union, Greece plays a strategic role in the Eastern Mediterranean and Balkan region. Beyond its rich cultural heritage and global appeal as a travel destination, Greece today is undergoing significant transformation and growth in areas such as higher education, research, digital services, and energy. 

With a strong higher education and research sector, increasing openness to international partnerships, and English widely used in academic settings, Greece offers an intellectually stimulating and welcoming environment for scholars. Its unique blend of historical depth, contemporary relevance, and strategic regional role makes Greece an attractive destination for teaching, research, and academic exchange.  A brief overview of the country can be found at Study in Greece

The U.S. Fulbright Scholar Program is central to the mission of the Fulbright Foundation in Greece, bringing outstanding U.S. scholars from a wide range of disciplines to Greek universities and to public or private organizations. The Program promotes cultural and educational ties between the United States and Greece through teaching, research, and scholarly collaboration.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to secure affiliation(s) in Greece and submit letter(s) of invitation from host institutions outlining the proposed teaching and/or research activities and available facilities or support. English is sufficient for teaching and lecturing; however, language proficiency should match the project’s scope, and basic Greek is helpful for everyday life.   Information about Greek universities and awards can be found at the Fulbright Foundation in Greece website. 

The academic year generally runs from October through June, with winter and spring breaks. Fulbright Greece provides administrative support, including visa guidance, pre-departure and arrival assistance, as well as opportunities for professional, cultural, and alumni engagement.

Facts about Greece and the Greek educational system can be found at the Fulbright Foundation in Greece website. 

For additional information about Greece please see the OECD's Greece profile