Fulbright Program Information on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

12146-BU

Fulbright Scholar Award

All Disciplines

Bulgaria

Europe and Eurasia

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Award Details

Award Activity

Teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses and/or conduct research in area of specialization. In addition, scholars can consult on program development and curriculum design, assist with thesis advising, collaborate with faculty on research projects, produce artworks, participate in open lectures, seminars, conferences, performances, and engage in guest lectures at other institutions.

Candidates proposing teaching projects should be very flexible in terms of syllabi and proposed course topics which may change due to host institution's needs and preferences. While teaching-only proposals are welcome, we encourage candidates to consider including a research/professional project component, as many hosts are not able to offer visiting scholars a full course load.

Professional projects can be carried out with local NGOs or non-strictly academic institutions, and can consist of consultation, capacity building, practical training or project development.

Scholars selected for this award can choose to:

Advise and/or mentor students
Assist in faculty, curriculum, and/or program development
Conduct a professional and/or artistic project
Conduct a research project designated by the host institution
Conduct a research project of the applicant’s choosing
Participate in a two-week group seminar
Teach graduate and/or undergraduate courses designated by the host institution
Teach graduate and/or undergraduate courses of the applicant’s choosing

Award Length

Three to five months. For Flex grants: two to four months.

Award Dates

Teaching grants begin in either October 2022 or February 2023. For the American University in Bulgaria, grants begin in either August 2022 or January 2023. For research and professional projects, start date is flexible, as long as they are conducted within the academic year for which the grant was awarded (academic year 2022-23 for the current competition).

Locations

Applicants may indicate host institution preferences anywhere in the country and submit letters of affiliation. The Bulgarian Fulbright Commission tries to honor preferences, but may also propose alternate placements based on past experience. The Bulgarian-American Fulbright Commission can also assist in identifying prospective host institutions and in providing relevant contact information. If you need more information about the hosts, please contact Program Officer Rada Kaneva at 359-2-9808212 or rkaneva@fulbright.bg.

Flex Option

Yes

Flex Description

The Flex Award is designed for scholars who require multiple visits to the host country. This option allows grants to be conducted over short segments, preferably during the fall and/or spring semesters. Interested applicants should clearly indicate plans for Flex in their project statement, including a project timeline. Flex awards are offered for teaching, teaching/research, research, and professional projects. Flex grantees may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, consult on program development and curriculum design, participate in open lectures, seminars, conferences, performances, and otherwise engage with the host-country academic community.

Flex grant parameters:

• Minimum length of the total grant is two months and the maximum is four months;

• Minimum length for any grant segment is one month; grant segments may be spread over two consecutive years.

Discipline Type

Applications are sought in all disciplines

Special Features

The grant includes a housing allowance to support Scholars to pay for their accommodation. For core grants of four months or longer, the Commission offers relocation allowance and dependent travel allowance.

Award Requirements

Application Requirements

Invitation Requirement

A letter of invitation is optional.

Invitation Requirement Additional Information

While a letter of invitation is optional, applicants are encouraged to reach out to local institutions and try to obtain one. The Bulgarian-American Fulbright Commission can assist in identifying prospective host institutions, and in providing relevant contact information. In some fields, such as pure and applied sciences, a letter of invitation is preferred due to the limited number of host institutions where the Scholar can teach or conduct research. Candidates should begin contacting potential hosts as early as possible (May-June) as most academic institutions are difficult to reach during the summer months. Applicants can indicate preferences for affiliation if invitation is not available. Final assignment is coordinated with the Bulgarian Fulbright Commission.

Language Proficiency Requirements

None, English is sufficient. However, feasibility of conducting the project must be demonstrated in the project statement.

Additional Language Requirement

English is sufficient for teaching. Conversational Bulgarian is useful. For applicants for research and professional projects without local language proficiency, feasibility of conducting the project must be demonstrated in the project statement.

Applicant Profile

Additional Qualification Information

Projects are welcome in all disciplines, as well as those with an interdisciplinary focus. The Program is open to both academics and professionals. Please note that for teaching grants, some universities/departments require a Ph.D. while others do not. Candidates should inquire about degree requirements when reaching out to potential host institutions. For research and professional projects, applications are accepted from university faculty, and from professionals, artists, journalists, scientists, lawyers, or independent scholars outside of academia who have recognized professional standing and substantial professional accomplishments.

Additional Information

Additional Comments

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 will be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host community, in addition to their primary activities‎.

Helpful Links

Information on types of institutions of higher education in Bulgaria, types of programs offered, admission, Curriculum and graduation requirement can be found at this link. Official profiles that offer information about the country can be found at the following links:

If you have questions about the program and need assistance in identifying the best host institution for your project, do not hesitate to contact the Bulgarian Fulbright Commission

Stipend & Benefits

Stipend

$3,000 per month for lecturers or lecturer/researchers;

$2,800 per month for researchers and professionals;

For Flex grants: $3,000 per month for lecturers, researchers, and professionals.

Estimated Travel and Relocation Allowance

Travel allowance of $1,700 and relocation allowance of $1,300 for grantee. Travel allowance of $1,500 for one dependent and $3,000 for two or more accompanying dependents who remain in country with grantee for at least 80% of grant duration.

For Flex grants: Travel allowance of $ 4000 total for all segments of the grant. Dependent travel will not be provided.

Special Award Benefits

Basic housing allowance for scholars with no dependents is $600 per month; additional housing allowance of $100 per month for one dependent / $200 per month for two or more dependents.

For Flex awards housing allowance is $600 per month. Additional housing allowance for dependents is not provided.

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.

Country/Area Overview

Summary

Up to five grants for teaching, research, teaching/research and professional projects. Awards are open to faculty of all academic ranks. Professionals and artists in appropriate fields may also apply. In addition to universities and academic institutions, hosts may also be NGOs, government agencies, research think tanks, and other institutions. Grant benefits include housing and relocation allowance and dependent travel and housing support.

Overview

A mountainous country of seven million people, Bulgaria boasts a rich archaeological and artistic heritage, with many well-preserved artifacts and sites from various periods in its history (Thracian, Greek, Roman, Medieval Bulgarian kingdoms, Byzantine, Ottoman, Soviet, post-Soviet). The country is traditionally Orthodox Christian, but has a sizable Muslim minority. Bulgaria is also known for its vibrant folklore, especially its unique folk singing and dancing traditions. A traditionally agricultural country, Bulgaria produces a number of unique wine sorts (gamza, mavrud). Since 1989, Bulgaria has been a parliamentary democracy, joining the EU in 2007. Although it remains the poorest country in the EU and struggles with challenges such as emigration, demographic crises, corruption and rule-of-law, Bulgaria has nevertheless generally been politically and economically stable.

The academic year for most Bulgarian universities begins around October 1 and consists of fall and spring semesters, ending in June. The academic year covers up to 30 weeks. Classes usually meet once a week for 75 minutes or for two 45-minute periods with a 15-minute break in between. Education is highly valued in Bulgaria and a relatively large share of the population has completed secondary or higher education.

The Bulgarian-American Fulbright Commission offers an in-country orientation and a cultural program for its Fulbright scholars. For additional information, please visit the Bulgarian Fulbright Commission's website or contact Program Officer Rada Kaneva at 359-2-9808212 or rkaneva@fulbright.bg.

For more about Bulgaria, please watch the following video: https://youtu.be/esT3KbwgjGg

Application Deadline

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

Activity Type

Professional Project

A Professional Project enables the participant to engage in activities in their area of expertise to enhance their professional development and the field at large. Projects may include serving as a professional consultant to the host organization, sharing expertise, visiting other organizations in their professional field, gaining practical experience, and attending public lectures. While the details vary according to the specific award, the focus of a Professional Project grant should not be research or teaching.

Research

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.

Teaching

Teaching includes classroom teaching, as well as giving guest lectures, workshops, and seminars, and engaging in other related activities. Classroom teaching is typically at the undergraduate and graduate level, and courses may be designed by the scholar or prescribed by the host institution and may be taught or co-taught by the scholar. The teaching load varies by award, as well as the host institution. Scholars may also consult on building research capacity, advise graduate students, and assist with thesis advising.

Teaching/Research

Degree Requirements

Ph.D. (or other terminal degree) not required

Career Profile

Artists

Awards are open to individuals who have more than seven years of experience in an artistic profession.

Early Career Academics

Awards are open to those who have been working in the capacity of a teacher or scholar for no more than seven years.

Mid-Career Academics

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.

Professionals

Awards are open to individuals who have more than seven years of experience in a particular profession.

Senior Academics

Awards are open to those who have been working in the capacity of a teacher or scholar for more than 13 years.

Number of Recipients

Approximately 5

Program Staff

Kimberly Williams

Outreach and Recruitment Officer

Phone:

202-326-7765

Email:

EuropeEurasia@iie.org

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