Educational Exchange

The Fulbright Program

The flagship U.S. Government academic exchange program is the Fulbright Program, which annually brings U.S. scholars and researchers to Eritrea and provides fellowships to Eritreans to pursue graduate study or senior academic research in the United States.

The Fulbright Junior Staff Development Program is highly competitive and designed to strengthen African universities and other educational, cultural institutions or non-governmental organizations by financing Master's degree study at U.S. institutions for outstanding staff members. Candidates must be nominated or strongly endorsed by their employing institution. Grantees will normally receive one year funding at a U.S. university and are expected to complete their work within this time frame. Awards are for one degree only. Academic programs are expected to begin in August or September, although some grantees may be required to complete summer courses prior to the regular academic year.

Pre-requisites

Applicants must be Eritrean citizens with fluent English language skills (TOEFL score of 600 or above) and a strong academic background. They should possess a Bachelor's degree related to their professional field. Applicants seeking a degree in a field unrelated to their earlier university studies or their professional field must provide especially strong justification for the switch. Applicants should be committed to continuing their work with institutions following their return to Eritrea.

Grant Benefits

Grants include round-trip international travel, travel allowance, a settling-in allowance, tuition and fees at the university, a monthly maintenance allowance, books and supplies, and medical insurance coverage. These benefits are intended to cover the grantee only. Grantees are expected to arrange their own housing in the United States.

How to apply

Preliminary application forms are available upon request to qualified candidates from the Public Affairs Section.

Fulbright African Research Scholar Program

Grants are awarded from three to nine months to conduct post-doctoral research at U.S. academic or research institutions. Funding is normally for one academic semester, although longer grants are possible where proposed research requires more time.

Pre-requisites

Applicants must be Eritrean citizens and hold a doctoral degree as well as a high TOEFL score of above 600. Preference will be given to applicants with at least three years university teaching experience whose research plans relate directly to their ongoing teaching and/or research responsibilities. Preference will also be given to proposals that best promote the spirit and goals of the Fulbright program, that is to enhance mutual understanding between the United States and African countries through interpersonal contact and the sharing of professional academic experience.