2025-2026
Application opens: April 2, 2024
Application deadline: October 8, 2024 (at 5:00 p.m. EST)
Overview
1 Bulgaria-Greece Fulbright Joint Research Award
Award Profile
This joint award is provided by the Bulgarian and Greek Fulbright Commissions and allows students to engage in comparative trans-regional research and/or study. Up to one award per academic year is open to candidates at all degree levels. While applications from Master and Ph.D. candidates are preferred, well-researched projects by recent college/university graduates will also be accepted. Applications will be considered in all fields, with special emphasis on the following disciplines related to Bulgaria and Greece: archaeology, history and art history (Antique, Byzantine, Ottoman and contemporary), Balkan studies, trans-border/emigration studies, environment and sustainability, economics, tourism (including eco- and agro-tourism), preservation of cultural heritage, political science, social sciences, classical studies, and the arts.
Grant Period
September Start
The award is for 9 months, with a 4-month term in Greece and a 5-month term in Bulgaria. Applicants may select which country to visit first, depending on the needs of their project. Grants in Bulgaria begin on September 1 while grants in Greece begin on September 15. Grants in either country must be completed by late June.
Orientation
In-Country Orientation
Grantees are expected in the first country of destination at least a few days before the beginning of the academic year and are required to attend a Fulbright Commission orientation.
If the grant starts in Bulgaria, grantees are encouraged to take part in the orientation seminar for US grantees beginning Sept. 1, which includes language instruction, as well as cultural, historical and social events. If the grant starts in Greece, grantees are required to participate in a two-day orientation program organized by the Fulbright Foundation in Greece in late September.
Candidate Profile
Candidates at all degree levels are accepted, but preference is given to Master’s and Ph.D. candidates. Ability to conduct independent, unstructured research with minimal oversight is crucial. Applications will be considered in all fields, with special emphasis on the following disciplines related to Bulgaria and Greece: archaeology, history and art history (Antique, Byzantine, Ottoman and contemporary), Balkan studies, trans-border/emigration studies, environment and sustainability, economics, tourism (including eco- and agro-tourism), preservation of cultural heritage, political science, social sciences, classical studies, and the arts.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Greece
The Fulbright Student Program is an important component of the Fulbright Foundation's mission to bring outstanding U.S. students from a wide variety of disciplines to Greek institutions of higher learning and state or private organizations in order to promote cultural and educational ties between the two countries through scholarly interaction and collaboration.
Facts about Greece and the Greek Educational System are available here
Previous Fulbright Recipients
U.S. Fulbrighters to Greece share their testimonies and impact of the Fulbright program Alumni Impact https://www.fulbright.gr/en/alumni/alumni-impact
U.S. Alumni Speak https://www.fulbright.gr/en/alumni/us-alumni-speak
Bulgaria
The benefits of life in Bulgaria include a breathtaking countryside, a relaxed lifestyle, friendly people, cheap prices, and delicious food. Bulgaria is generally a peaceful and safe country, and the local population is proud of the country’s long history and holds education in very high regard, which results in a good number of opportunities for collaboration.
As a Fulbright student in Bulgaria, you can conduct your research with the support of various hosts: institutions of higher education, research think tanks, NGOs and international organizations. During your grant period, the Bulgarian Fulbright Commission will be there to help you settle into your Bulgarian life. We organize an orientation in the beginning of September, a mid-term meeting in January, and a wrap – up seminar in June. If your grant start date doesn’t coincide with those events, Fulbright Bulgaria staff will set up an individual meeting after your arrival to discuss aspects of living and working in the country and to answer any questions you may have. We also strive to provide a cultural/educational program for scholars and students every month; we share information and invitations from partner organizations that may enrich your stay in the country, and we support our students research or community engagement activities in a variety of ways.
For additional information, please visit the Bulgarian Fulbright Commission's website or contact Program Officer, Rada Kaneva at .
For more about Bulgaria, you can watch the following video: https://youtu.be/esT3KbwgjGg
Previous Fulbright Recipients
US Students testimonials:
Ryan Grieser, https://youtu.be/RBC4wESFm-A
Anastassia Koumtcheva, https://youtu.be/qMzSFMaG8Ss?feature=shared
Accepted Degree Levels
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctoral
Foreign Language Proficiency
Not Required
Bulgarian or Greek proficiency is not required. Independent research projects with minimal support from local English speaking hosts may require a good command of Bulgarian and/or Greek languages. Some study of Bulgarian and Greek prior to arrival is encouraged in order to promote deeper engagement with the host community.
The Bulgarian-American Fulbright Commission provides a one-time allowance of $250 for Bulgarian language training during the grant period. Fulbright Greece provides the same benefit for Greek language lessons and up to $450.
Fulbright Proposal Types
Independent Study/Research: Yes
Graduate Degree Enrollment: No
Affiliation
Independent Study/Research
Letter required for independent study or research at deadline.
Applicants are encouraged to secure affiliation(s) in both countries and to submit letters of invitation/affiliation indicating name/position of host and details on collaborating educational/cultural organization/institution. Projects must be well formulated and achievable under the guidance of an adviser/mentor at an educational, cultural, or government institution.
The Bulgarian Fulbright Commission can assist in establishing contacts at prospective host institutions but it is up to the candidate to secure support from a host institution/organization. Final assignments in Bulgaria will be coordinated and confirmed by the Commission.The Fulbright Foundation in Greece can assist candidates with affiliations but it is up to the candidate to secure a host institution/organization. Placements take place throughout Greece. Students can seek affiliations at https://www.fulbright.gr/en/study-in-greece/resources
The Fulbright Commissions in Bulgaria and Greece reserve the right to interview finalists via an online platform or by telephone.
Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Affilitation Fees/Tuition offered at discretion of host university/Award
If courses are available in the relevant field at Bulgarian academic institutions, the Bulgarian-American Fulbright Commission may cover tuition fees up to $750 upon approval by the Commission Board.
Tuition fee support is not provided by Fulbright Greece. Fulbright Greece may provide partial associate membership fees to students affiliated with the American School of Classical Studies at Athens (ASCSA).
Housing Arrangements
Grantees are responsible for arranging their own accommodation.
Eligibility
Dual citizens of either country are eligible
Residency in host country permitted in year prior to grant
Special Application Instructions
In the Fulbright application, for Award Name, please select the Bulgaria-Greece Award from the drop-down menu to be considered for this award. Select Bulgaria for Country 1 and Greece for Country 2 (regardless of which country you plan to visit first).
Dependents
Dependent support is only available for the Greek portion of the grant; the Bulgarian Fulbright Commission does not offer dependent support for this grant.
Visa Requirements
Candidates will work with the Greek Commission to obtain the correct visa and necessary documentation for their arrivals. Visas to Greece for Fulbrighters and their dependents are provided free of charge. This type of visa is also a residence permit which covers the total grant period and allows for travel in and out of Greece and the Schengen Treaty Area.
Candidates will work with the Bulgarian Commission to obtain the correct visa and necessary documentation for their arrivals. Visas to Bulgaria for Fulbright grantees only are provided free of charge. This type of visa is multiple entry and covers the total grant period. Applications are submitted in person at the Consulate offices of Bulgaria in the US, or at the Consulate offices of Bulgaria in Greece if the first portion of the grant takes place in Greece.
Additional Online Resources
Study in Greece https://www.fulbright.gr/en/study-in-greece/resources
Resources for grantees in Bulgaria https://www.fulbright.bg/en/resources-for-us-grantees/
Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Contact
Nicholas Tourides, Educational Advisor/American Program Coordinator,
Rada Kaneva, Program Officer for US Grantees,
Grant Benefits
Benefits vary according to Grant Category.
U.S. Fulbright Student Program (Bulgaria-Greece Joint Country Awards)
Fulbright Greece offers the following benefits
- Monthly maintenance allowance of 1300 USD (increased by 150 USD per month for up to two dependents)
- A one-time settling-in allowance at $1,200 (for grantee only)
- Round-trip airfare up to $1,000 (for grantee only)
- Excess baggage allowance up to $200 (for grantee only)
- A Modern Greek language lessons allowance up to $450 (for grantee only)
- Books/Research Materials allowance of up to 350 USD (for grantee only)
- Tuition fees for Associate Membership with the American School of Classical Studies at Athens (ASCSA) up to $500 (if applicable and for grantee only)
- Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE) Health Benefit Plan
Fulbright Bulgaria offers the following benefits
- A monthly stipend of $1,300
- Round-trip airfare of $1000 (for grantee only)
- A one-time travel/relocation allowance of $500 (for grantee only)
- A book/research materials allowance of $250 (for grantee only)
- A Bulgarian language lessons allowance of $250 (for grantee only)
- Excess baggage allowance up to $200 (for grantee only)
- Tuition fees for attending courses/lectures at a local university up to $750 (if applicable and for grantee only)
- Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE) Health Benefit Plan
Terms and Conditions
Specific terms and conditions apply to all U.S. Fulbright Student programs as outlined by the Fulbright Scholarship Board. A full description of those terms and conditions can be found here
Application Procedures
The U.S. Fulbright Student program is administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE) based on an agreement with the U.S. Department of State.
All applicants interested in applying under this Fulbright category must thoroughly review the U.S. Fulbright Student program website and apply there https://us.fulbrightonline.org/