Fulbright U.S.
Scholar Program

The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program offers U.S. scholars, faculty, artists, and professionals an opportunity to conduct research and/or teach, or consult at Slovak universities and research institutions. Candidates from all disciplines are welcome to apply. Grants are awarded for 3 to 5 months. The Scholar Program is open also for early career researchers (Post-Docs).

Eligibility criteria

Factors affecting selection

Grant Benefits

Living expenses

The stipend rate differs depending on academic rank and type of grant (teaching/research)

Allowances

Travel allowance

National visa allowance covering expenses to obtain national visa

Dependents allowance

Additional housing allowance, depending on the grant location

One-time book and supply allowance

ASPE

Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges covering basic healthcare (supplemental private insurance highly recommended)

Administrative support

Academic and cultural orientation program, mid-year conference, on-going support during the grant

How to apply

The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program is administered on the U.S. side by the Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES), which oversees the application process and pre-screens applicants.

Candidates must complete and submit an online application by September 16, 2024. Please visit the global Fulbright Scholar website to learn more details and read carefully the application guidelines.

Application must include: CV, Project Statement, 2 Letters of references, 2 to 3 syllabi/course outlines (up to 10 pages, for teaching or teaching/research awards), bibliography (up to 3 pages, for research or teaching/research awards), Invitation/Affiliation Letter.

Fulbright U.S. Scholar Application Form

Timeline

The application period is open from spring to fall. Candidates should bear in mind that they need to submit the application approximately one year prior to the start date of their grant period. Deadline for application submissions for the 2025/2026 academic year is September 16, 2024.

Application flow

February – September

Application cycle is open.

September 16

Deadline for application submissions is September 16. Letter(s) of invitation will be accepted through September 26, 2024, 5:00 PM EST. Applications are reviewed for program eligibility and technical completeness.

October – November

Peer Review Committees evaluate and review applications to determine whether or not applications are recommended for further consideration by the Commission.

December

Candidates are notified by CIES as to whether or not their applications are recommended for final consideration. The Commission is responsible for final selection of candidates.

January – April

The Commission review applications and selects final candidates. Successful candidates are notified of the official approval by the Commission and by the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.

May– June

Grant documents are issued. Administrative steps to process visa applications and departure for Slovakia are taken if the grant starts in the fall semester.*

July – August

Visa interviews are conducted with grantees departing for Slovakia in fall.


* If the grant starts in the spring semester, administrative steps to process visa applications and departure for Slovakia are taken between September and December, and visa interviews are conducted December-January.

FAQ

Please visit the global Fulbright website. If you have any specific questions, please contact our office at: office@fulbright.sk.

Testimonials

Janeil Engelstad

Program, year, host institution:

Fulbright U.S. Scholar, 2006-07, Academy of Fine Arts and Design, Bratislava

Current position:

Founding Director - Make Art with Purpose; Affiliate Artist - Social Practice Art Research Center, University of California, Santa Cruz

Testimonial:

“My Fulbright experience in Slovakia was life changing. While there I developed relationships and ideas that continue to shape my work today. With Fulbright as a foundation, I have fostered cultural and educational exchanges and events at museums, galleries, universities and festivals between Slovakia and cities throughout the US, including New York, Boston, Dallas, Chicago, San Francisco and Seattle, benefiting both countries. Additionally, the life-long friendships I made in Slovakia continue to enrich my personal life.”

Janeil Engelstad

Fulbright U.S. Scholar, 2006-2007

Richard Torrisi

Program, year, host institution:

Fulbright U.S. Scholar, 2013-2014, Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences, Comenius University

Current position:

Professor Emeritus of International Business and Finance, Suffolk University, Boston, MA

Testimonial:

“My time as a Fulbright Scholar in Slovakia was the best learning and life experience of my long academic career. I was able to easily integrate in all my classes in Boston my experiences and knowledge of Slovak companies and the economy as a member of the EU. I also published 2 papers on foreign investment and economic policy in Slovakia and Central Europe. But understanding better the people, history and culture was more personally rewarding and I continue to read and follow events in the country at the center of Europe! The support and assistance from everyone at the Fulbright Commission was fantastic. The hospitality and kindness of the Slovak friends and colleagues we met was greatly appreciated! I am eager to return and teach a new generation of students.”

Richard Torrisi

Fulbright U.S. Scholar, 2013-2014

Kevin Simpson

Program, year, host institution:

Fulbright U.S. Scholar, 2018-19, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts at Comenius University

Current position:

Professor of psychology at John Brown University, AR

Testimonial:

“If I were to share one experience that has been of significance to me during my Fulbright Fellowship in the Slovak Republic, it would have to be the Holocaust commemoration event to which I contributed. From discovery of the original historical fact – buried on one page in an encyclopedia – to the research and consultation with Slovak historians, and to the installation of a memorial plaque to forced laborers who constructed the home stadium of the MSK Zilina football club, I found it deeply gratifying to find a way to honor these victims of the Holocaust who had been largely overlooked by history. I cannot wait to return to this hidden gem of a country.”

Kevin Simpson

Fulbright U.S. Scholar, 2018-2019

Kris A. Bulcroft

Program, year, host institution:

Fulbright U.S. Scholar, 2004-05, Faculty of National Economy, University of Economics in Bratislava, Fulbright Specialist 2006-07

Current position:

retired from Capilano University, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Testimonial:

“The Fulbright Commission has enriched my scholarship and professional development beyond measure. I continue to collaborate with scholars in the Slovak Republic, as well as maintain friendships that bring me back to the Slovak Republic on a regular basis and host colleagues when they travel to the U.S. I highly recommend the Fulbright Program. It changes lives…it certainly changed mine.”

Kris A. Bulcroft

Fulbright U.S. Scholar, 2004-2005

Peter Gregware

Program, year, host institution:

Fulbright U.S. Scholar, 2010-2011, Institute of International Relations and Approximation of Law, Faculty of Law, Comenius University

Current position:

Professor Emeritus

Testimonial:

“Teaching and living in Bratislava was a very enjoyable experience, which lead me to follow my wife two years later when she went to Bratislava for her own Fulbright experience. The students were engaging, the Fulbright staff were quite helpful, and we met numerous scholars and local folks who made our stay there well worth the time and effort.”

Peter Gregware

Fulbright U.S. Scholar, 2010-2011

Susan Barfield

Program, year, host institution:

Fulbright U.S. Scholar, 2013-14, Department of Communicative and Literacy Education, Faculty of Education, University of Prešov

Current position:

Professor Emerita from Montana State University Billings, Billings, MT

Testimonial:

“I co-authored Children of the Sun, a tri-lingual (Romani, Slovak, English) children’s book with Drs. Cina and Hlebová from the University of Prešov. The book is based on a Roma folktale and illustrated by Roma students. I’m still in contact with the many people I met there and have returned several times. Slovakia has a special place in my heart! I even hosted three of my Slovak colleagues here in Montana. This program opened the door to other international opportunities as well, for which I am very thankful.”

Susan Barfield

Fulbright U.S. Scholar, 2013-2014