Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program, MENA Regional Research Program

Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program, MENA Regional Research Program is sponsored by Fulbright Program. The Fulbright U. S.

Scholar Program offers research, study, and teaching opportunities in over 140 countries, including in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region. It provides grants for U. S.

scholars to conduct research in multiple countries within the MENA region.

Middle East and North Africa Regional Research Program Middle East and North Africa Regional Research Program Palestinian Territories (West Bank) Tuesday, September 15, 2026 X The Professional Project Award Activity is an opportunity for applicants to pursue projects that would enhance their professional development and the field at large.

Professional Projects may include, but are not limited to: Professional consultations or exchange of expertise with other professionals, Artist residencies, Visits to organizations in the applicant's field, Practical experience in day-to-day operations, Public lectures, Mentoring, Arranging and planning exhibitions, Performances or musical compilations, Participation in public events, Preparation of print materials (books, articles, or reviews).

If your project involves classroom teaching, as opposed to public or guest lectures, then please apply for the Teaching Award Activity. If your proposed project answers a research question or will have research outcomes, then please apply for the Research Award Activity. X 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. PhD (or other terminal Degree) X Awards are open to those who have been working in the capacity of a teacher or scholar for no more than seven years.

X 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. X Awards are open to individuals who have more than seven years of experience in a particular profession. X Awards are open to those who have been working in the capacity of a teacher or scholar for more than 13 years.

September 2027 - May 2028 X This award allows Flex. This option enables applicants to propose multiple short-term stays in the host country over two years if required by their proposed project. Refer to Flex Description below for specific parameters.

Plans, goals, and rationale for Flex must be described in Project Statement . X This award may allow applicants to propose a project to take place in one or multiple countries. Refer to Multi-Country/Area Award Description below for specific parameters.

Plans, goals, and rationale for must be described in Project Statement .

Projects are sought in all disciplines Scholars selected for this award can choose to Conduct a research project of the applicant’s choosing Conduct a professional and/or artistic project 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. The 2025-2026 Fulbright U.S. Scholar Programs in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, the Palestinian Territories, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates are currently suspended.

The 2026-2027 candidate selection process and 2027-2028 application cycle are proceeding as usual. The Fulbright Program continues to monitor the regional conditions in close coordination with the U.S. Department of State. Any changes to the status of a program will be updated on our website.

​ Conduct research or develop a professional project in two or three of the participating countries or locations within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Scholars must be approved for research in at least two countries or locations in order to receive the award. Final awards are contingent upon each host country/location approval and clearance by host countries, as appropriate.

Location Selection: Applicant may propose an appropriate host Any appropriate institutions in two or three of the following locations in the Middle East and North Africa region: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Palestinian Territories (West Bank).

Please check the award page in the catalog for each proposed location for information on potential host institutions in those locations. Three to nine months; For Flex grants, see Flex Description. Grants may begin any time after September 1, 2026.

Grant start dates may vary by grant duration proposed. Grant durations are preferred during academic calendar. Summer months are on a case-by-case basis in consultation with host institution and may require additional approvals.

All non-Flex grants must be completed by August 31, 2027. The Flex Award is designed for scholars who require multiple visits to the host country. This option allows grants to be conducted over two or three short segments.

Applicants must select Flex in the application form, and clearly describe their plans for Flex in their project statement, including a project timeline. Flex grantees may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host-country academic community. The Flex Award is designed for scholars who require multiple visits to the host country.

This option allows grants to be conducted over two or three short in-country segments. Applicants must select Flex in the application form and clearly describe their plans for Flex in their project statement, which must include a timeline. Flex grantees may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host-country academic community.

Please note that for projects that include a FLEX option in the Palestinian Territories (West Bank), the minimum length of a segment is four months.

Flex allowed for only the following activity type(s): Segments may be proposed for up to a 2 year period 2 or 3 Segments may be proposed Grant segments are allowed to be conducted in summer months (June, July, and August) Minimum total award length is 3 month(s) Maximum total award length is 10 month(s) *Total award length is the total length (duration) of all segments and does not include time between segments.

The award is open to all disciplines. Projects that address the following topics are strongly encouraged: regional security, education, health, energy, tourism, food security and water technology. Special consideration will be given to projects that focus on building networks of cooperation to advance common interests and regional stability in the Middle East.

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. Permanent residents of the award country are not eligible to apply for this award.

An invitation letter is preferred. Invitation Requirement Additional Information Citizenship/Residency and Invitation Letter Requirements vary by country. Please check the lists below carefully for the requirements of the countries/territories you are proposing to visit.

Citizenship/Residency Requirements: All U.S. citizens are eligible to apply, regardless of dual citizenship or residency : Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Qatar, and Tunisia. Applicants residing in the award country at the time of application or thereafter are not eligible to apply for this award : Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, and Palestinian Territories (West Bank).

Dual citizens of the award country are not eligible to apply for this award. Applicants residing in the award country at the time of application or thereafter are not eligible to apply for this award : Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates. Invitation Letter Requirements: A letter of invitation is required: Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco*, Palestinian Territories (West Bank), Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates.

A letter of invitation is strongly preferred: Qatar A letter of invitation is preferred: Algeria, Egypt, Oman, Tunisia** A letter of invitation should not be sought: Bahrain *Please note that for projects that include Morocco, a one- or two-page Arabic or French summary of the research project is strongly recommended to be submitted with the application.

This summary can be added in the invitation letter section of the application by the invitation letter deadline for Morocco, listed above. **Please note that for projects that include Tunisia, a one- or two-page Arabic or French summary of the research project is required. This summary does not need to be submitted at the time of application but will be required if the applicant is awarded a grant.

Language Proficiency Requirements None, English is sufficient. However, feasibility of conducting the project must be demonstrated in the project statement Additional Language Requirement Language proficiency sufficient to complete the research project is required. English may be sufficient depending on location.

However, feasibility of conducting the project in English must be demonstrated in the project statement. Applicants must submit the language proficiency external evaluation if English is not sufficient to complete the project. Additional Qualification Information Professionals who have a demonstrated record of research will be considered.

All project proposals must include a detailed research plan. Project proposals must include a detailed itinerary of proposed travel to each country, including proposed institutions. Applications must include invitation letters from appropriate institutions confirming affiliation for each country that requires a letter.

Monthly benefits will follow the rates for Researchers of Fulbright U.S. Scholar grants in each proposed country. These figures can be found under the "Award Benefits" tab on the award pages for the proposed countries in the catalog. Estimated Travel and Relocation Allowance for Grantee Round-trip, economy-class, international travel arranged by travel agent selected by IIE, for scholar and up to two accompanying dependents.

An allowance will be provided to cover the costs associated with relocation and excess baggage. For Flex grants: round trip travel will be included for each segment of the grant for the grantee only. Estimated Book and Research Allowance $2,000 research allowance.

For Flex grants: the research allowance will be divided by the number of segments. Do you offer dependent benefits Dependent benefits will follow the rates of Fulbright U.S. Scholar grants in each proposed country. These figures can be found under the "Award Benefits" tab on the award pages for the proposed countries in the catalog.

For Flex grants: dependent monthly allowances, travel, and dependent tuition allowance will not be provided. 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.

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.

This award is intended for applicants whose research projects are historical or contemporary in focus, comparative or regional in scope, or based on data collected in several countries. The project must be conducted in two or three countries of the region for applications to be considered.

Projects that involve collaboration with host country colleagues and institutions, and that will contribute to cooperation among countries of the region, are particularly encouraged. Projects may be undertaken in the following areas of the Middle East and North Africa: Algeria , Bahrain , Egypt , Israel , Jordan , Kuwait , Morocco , Oman , Palestinian Territories (West Bank) , Qatar , Saudi Arabia , Tunisia and United Arab Emirates .

For more details on each country's requirements or potential points of contacts, please click on the country link. Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni . You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors .

Selected 0 of 3 items to compare Fulbright Scholar Program U.S. Scholar Awards Search Distinguished Scholar Awards International Education Administrator Awards U.S.-Chile Antarctic Exchange Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program Fulbright-National Archives Fellowship Scholar-in-Residence Program Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistantship Non-U.S. (Visiting) Scholars Opportunities to Host Non-U.S. Citizens Scholar in Residence Program Foreign Language Teaching Assistantship International Education Administrator Awards Find Your Scholar Liaison