Fulbright Scholar Award

STEM/Agriculture/Strategic Security

Guyana

Application Deadline
closed
Award Code
25051-GY
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.

Number of recipients

Approximately
1
Award Start Period
August 2026 or January 2027
Award Length
4 months
Flex Option
No
Multi-Country/Area Award
No
Disciplines
Agriculture
Computer Science
Engineering
Environmental Sciences
Business
Area Studies (non- U.S.)
Biology
Geology
Information Sciences/Systems
Scholars selected for this award will be required 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

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

This award is for a pre-arranged affiliation with the University of Guyana. The type of activity will depend on the field, as outlined below:

University of Guyana

Teach courses at the undergraduate or graduate level under the teaching only option or teach and conduct collaborative or independent research.

For teaching/research projects, candidates should plan a 50/50 ratio of teaching to research. Thesis advising or assistance with curriculum development may also be requested, depending upon the scholar's area of expertise.

For the teaching only award, the expected hours of commitment is 15 hours per week.

 

Locations
Location Selection: Award is hosted by the institution listed below
Locations Detail

Scholars may affiliate with the University of Guyana, Turkeyen, or Berbice Campus.

Award Length and Period

Four months.

Grants may begin in August 2025 or January 2026. In Guyana, the academic calendar year is broken into two semesters: September to December and January to May.

All Scholars to Guyana are required to attend a pre-departure orientation, which typically takes place in early to mid-July, prior to beginning their Fulbright grant. 

Areas of Interest

Disciplines

Agriculture

Computer Science/Information Science

Engineering

Environmental Sciences

Innovation and Entrepreneurship 

Strategic Security and Human Resiliency

 

Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry: soil science, biometrics, forest protection, forest management, geographic information systems, geoinformatics.

Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences: environmental management, conservation biology, sustainable utilization of biodiversity, and environmental technology.

Faculty of Engineering and Technology: geographic information systems, petroleum geology.

Faculty of Natural Sciences: biology, forest biology, computer science/information

Institute of Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IRIE): establishing, accelerating, and scaling up businesses; works on protection, patents and intellectual property for UG-centered inventions.

Special Features

The University of Guyana will integrate the scholar into the university and faculty and will provide an office space for the scholar.

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.
Invitation Requirement
A letter of invitation is preferred.
Invitation Requirement Additional Information

Requests for a letter of invitation should be directed to:

Dr. Mellissa Ifill - Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Institutional Advancements, copied to:  Professor Paloma Mohamed Vice-Chancellor - University of Guyana and Dr. Emanuel Cummings, Deputy Vice Chancellor - Academic Engagement

 

Language Proficiency Requirements
None, English is sufficient
Additional Qualification Information

Applicants with a Ph.D. and/or three years of teaching experience are preferred.

Additional Comments

Applicants seeking contacts in Guyana may contact the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy. Please direct inquiries to Aretha Majeed, Public Affairs Assistant. 

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

Researcher and Professional Project Monthly Allowances
$7370
$7370
Teaching or Teaching/Research Award Monthly Allowances
$8140
$8360
Estimated Travel and Relocation Allowance for Grantee

$4,150

Estimated Book and Research Allowance

$1,000 books and educational materials allowance; these materials should be donated to the host institution or other entity upon scholar's departure.

$300 - $500 research allowance for research-only grants.

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 $400/month to $600/month.

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

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.

Estimated Cost of Living

Housing and living allowances provided are based on the prevailing cost of living in Guyana.

Special Award Benefits

During their grant period, Fulbright U.S. Scholars in the Western Hemisphere (WHA) region may apply for a short-term regional travel grant for activities such as workshops, seminars, presentations, lectures, performances, exhibits, curricular advising and similar projects at institutions in eligible WHA countries. (Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados and Eastern Caribbean, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago and Uruguay).

The Regional Travel Program covers travel to and from the destination; lodging may be offered by the host institution. Scholars may only apply for this grant once they are in country on their Fulbright grant. Scholars who apply for the Flex award are ineligible for the Regional Travel Program. Additional information can be found on the Regional Travel Program website

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.

Guyana

What is life like for Fulbrighters in your country?

Situated on the northern coast of South America, Guyana is the only country in South America where English is the official language. 

It is bordered by Venezuela to the west, Suriname to the east, Brazil to the south and the Atlantic Ocean to the north. Guyana is home to one of the world's most beautiful and untouched landscapes and ecosystems. Guyana boasts an irresistible combination of fascinating and breathtaking natural beauty: pristine Amazonian rainforests, immense waterfalls and amazing wildlife. It is also home to a vibrant and diverse culture, rich heritage and the most hospitable and friendly people you will ever meet.

Guyana’s is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and poised for strong economic growth over the next decade as the country is set to become the Western Hemisphere's second or third largest oil producer over the next 20-40 years. Guyana’s economy is projected to grow by 25.1 percent in 2023, according to the Ministry of Finance.

Applicants to Guyana will have the opportunity to participate and contribute towards Guyana’s educational advancement as part of its transformational change.

As you prepare your Fulbright application, we encourage you to read the information on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.

Award Options:
University of Guyana

Established in 1963, the University of Guyana is the major university that operates on two campuses, Turkeyen (Demerara) and Tain (Berbice).  The University offers certificate, diploma, associate degree, undergraduate degree, graduate (post-graduate) degree, and professional degree programs.  As at 2022, the Turkeyen Campus had an enrollment of approximately 8,600 students who are pursuing more than 120 undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The university is eager to benefit from curriculum development, knowledge exchange and research collaboration. 

The university’s role and place as a major development partner and its achievements are highly recognized and honored locally, regionally and internationally. The University of Guyana has produced upwards of 50,000 graduates in its 60-year existence - many of whom have gone on to serve at the highest levels in both the private and public sectors nationally and internationally.

The academic year at the University of Guyana is broken into two semesters that run from August to December and mid-January to July.  Applicants for teaching and teaching/research awards should be available for one academic semester.

 

Previous Fulbright Recipients

Dr. Jennifer Hoyte

Dr. Manu Chander 

Dr. Desiree DeFlorimente

Dr. Alicia McLaughlin-Watkins

Dr. Norman Munroe 

Dr. Gregory McDonald

Dr. Jeffrey McCrary

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