The Fulbright Foreign Student Program for the academic year 2024/2025 is now open for applications. This research program is funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE) in New York. Its primary goal is to strengthen the capacities of African universities through higher degree training and to develop the potential of their academic staff. The program is specifically aimed at young, promising faculty members who wish to conduct their doctoral research in the United States. Applicants must be at least two years into their doctoral program in any discipline at a Nigerian university or research institute at the time of application.
The grant covers the grantee’s round-trip airfare to the U.S., a settling-in allowance, a monthly stipend, a housing allowance, a books-and-supplies allowance, and a computer allowance. The grant also covers basic university health insurance as primary insurance coverage and the Fulbright ASPE health benefit as secondary coverage. To be eligible for a grant, applicants must be citizens or nationals of Nigeria, or permanent residents holding a valid passport issued by the government of Nigeria. Applicants must be doctoral or PhD students who have completed a significant amount of their doctoral program in Nigerian universities and have the endorsement of their home institution. Masters and first-degree applicants are not qualified to apply for this program.
Applicants must have an outstanding academic record and a high level of English proficiency. They must take their first TOEFL exam by May 2023 and meet the minimum score on required standardized tests (TOEFL: a score of 90). Applicants must also have high motivation and a serious commitment to completing the program as scheduled and returning home. Preference will be given to applicants who have not studied in the U.S. The application deadline is June 1, 2024. Interested and qualified applicants can visit the U.S. Embassy and Consulate website on apply.iie.org to apply and fill out the application forms completely and attach their supporting documents online.