U.S.-Philippine Relations
Philippines
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.
Teach and conduct research or conduct research only on topics relevant to contemporary issues that affect U.S.-Philippine relations. Grantees may be invited to give lectures at multiple Philippine institutions.
Any appropriate institution, including those located outside of Metro Manila.
Travel/research/teaching in any area of Mindanao are restricted.
Three to four months
Grants must begin August 2025 or January 2026.
Economics, education, American history, non-U.S. history, journalism and political science.
Fulbright East Asia Pacific Regional Travel Program
As conditions allow, Fulbright Scholars in the East Asia and Pacific (EAP) region may have the opportunity to apply for funds to support short-term (3-14 days) travel to other countries in the EAP region for activities such as lectures, workshops, graduate or faculty seminars, master classes or recitals, curricular advising, or panel presentations. EAP Regional Travel Program funding covers transportation only. Regional Travel Program activities/host sites should not be included in the initial Fulbright application. Scholars may start the process of seeking out invitations for short-term activities in other EAP countries once notified that they have been selected for a Fulbright grant but will only be able to apply for travel program funds, conditions permitting, once they have actively started their Fulbright grant in their host country. Scholars on Flex grants are not eligible for the regional travel grant.
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
Research can be conducted in English; proficiency in Tagalog or other local language can be helpful but is not required. Applicants are not required to submit a language proficiency evaluation.
Project must be comparative in nature.
Terminal degree (Ph.D. or other) is preferred, or equivalent professional experience.
Professional applicants who have already obtained a terminal degree in their specialization should have at least three years of professional work experience in their specialization beyond terminal degrees. Professional applicants without terminal degrees should have at least 10 years of work experience in their field and a strong record of publication and research in the area that they propose to conduct research.
The Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF) - the Fulbright Commission in the Philippines
U.S. Department of State - Philippines
U.S. Embassy in the Philippines
Email the East Asia and the Pacific Team with questions about applying.
All recipients: $1,750 per month
Note: All stipend amounts are disbursed in Philippine currency.
Monthly living allowance of $500 per month for grantees whose grants are for four months or longer and who are accompanied by dependent(s)
Monthly living allowance of $400 per month for grantees whose grants are for three months or unaccompanied by dependents
Housing allowance of $500 per month for those based in Metro Manila and $400 for those based in the provinces will be provided for grantees to arrange their own housing.
The stipend and allowances are sufficient to cover living expenses in the Philippines.
• Round trip international travel (budget economy class) arranged by Fulbright commission
• Round trip international travel (budget economy class) for one dependent for grantees with award of four months or longer if the dependent stays in the country at least 80 percent of the grant period
• Round trip domestic air travel for the scholar based outside Metro Manila and one dependent
• Relocation: $450-$750, depending on the length of grant
• Excess baggage: up to $470, provided at the end of the grant after submission of final requirements
Books and incidentals: $1,000 provided in two installments
For grantees whose grants are for four months or longer, tuition assistance of $1,000 per dependent attending school in grades K-12, subject to the availability of resources of the Philippine-American Educational Foundation, if the dependent stays in the country at least 80 percent of the grant period.
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.
Grantees receive $150 for language study or materials.
• Three to four nights' accommodation upon arrival in the country and airport transfer
• $1,000 in-country travel allowance, provided in two installments
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 and the Fulbright Commission in the host country reserve the right to alter, without notice, participating countries, number of awards and allowances.
Philippines
The Philippines is a place of natural wonders and dynamic cultures gathered along the second largest archipelago in the world set in the western Pacific Ocean.
The Philippines is an incredibly diverse nation in terms of language, religion, ethnicity and also geography. Providing quality primary education, maternal health and mitigating the effects of climate change pose the biggest development and economic challenges in the country.
The Philippine Commission on Higher Education regulates 2,229 higher education institutions that can be classified as public and private. The Philippine higher education system has strong similarities in structure to the U.S. higher education system.
The academic year runs from August to May with the first semester running August to December and the second semester running January to May.
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.
Selected applicants should initiate and coordinate with proposed Philippine institutions about possible housing options.