FULBRIGHT NON-DEGREE VISITING RESEARCHER PROGRAM 2025-2026

The Embassy of the United States of America in Serbia is pleased to announce the Fulbright Non-degree Visiting Researcher Program for Doctoral Students competition for the 2025-2026 academic year. The Fulbright Non-degree Visiting Researcher Program for Doctoral Students enables young professionals from Serbia who are already enrolled in a PhD program at a Serbian university to conduct research at a U.S. university related to their PhD thesis. Grants last 6 to 9 months, and the PhD students from the following fields can apply:

Agriculture, American History, American Literature, American Studies,  Anthropology,  Archaeology,  Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Communications, Computer Science, Economics,  Education,  Engineering,  Environmental Sciences, Geography, Geology, Information Sciences, Journalism / Media Studies,  Law,  Library Science, Linguistics, Mathematics, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Social Work,  Sociology, TEFL/Applied Linguistics

Participants are selected through an open, merit-based competition.  This prestigious award covers tuition and fees at a U.S. university, a monthly living stipend, health insurance, and international airfare.

Eligibility requirements

• Applicants must be citizens of the Republic of Serbia. Permanent U.S. residents and persons with dual (Serbian and U.S.) citizenship are ineligible.

• Applicants must hold at least a master’s degree and must be enrolled in a PhD program at a Serbian university.

• Applicants must be proficient in oral and written English (Selected candidates will take TOEFL test during the selection process).

• Applicants must be eligible for a J-1 visa, which requires the grantee to return to the Republic of Serbia for a minimum of two years at the end of the grant period.

• Applicants already studying in the U.S. are ineligible for a Fulbright grant.

• Applicants must receive a satisfactory medical clearance.

• Persons desiring permanent residence in the United States are not eligible.

General Selection Criteria

• Academic credentials

• Significance and feasibility of the proposed research

• Necessity to undertake the project in the United States

• Plans for popularizing the research findings

• Adaptability and personal suitability

• Applicants should be representative and responsible citizens who contribute to a full and fair picture of the culture and civilization of Serbia.

• Preference is given to applicants who have not had a prior opportunity for studying in the United States.

All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, and sex.

Selection Procedures

• Applications are subject to pre-screening.

• Applicants recommended by reviewers are invited for an interview conducted in person in English by a selection committee comprised of Embassy representatives, U.S. and Serbian scholars, and Fulbright alumni.

• Nominees are subject to final approval by the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.

How to apply:

Completed applications must include:

• Online application at: https://apply.iie.org/ffsp2025 [instructions for completing the application can be found here];

• Three (3) Letters of Reference (can be submitted online by instructors, professors or work supervisors, or sent via e-mail to the U.S. Embassy);

• Academic transcripts/diplomas (certified translation into English or verified copies of original academic transcript and degree certificate – scanned and attached to the application);

• Official English translation of certificate for the current academic status (scanned and attached to the application);

• Valid results from the U.S. standardized test – TOEFL – if the applicant has taken this test in the past two years. Please note that we shall organize the taking of the required tests for the selected candidates; and

• Copy of passport.

Please scan all the above-mentioned documents and upload to your online application.  Please note that all items should be translated into English.

Nominated candidates will have to submit a copy of the original academic transcript bearing all official legalization stamps to the U.S. Embassy Belgrade.  The U.S. Embassy will advise the nominated candidates to submit a medical history and examination report if and when necessary.

Application Deadline: May 20, 2024

Any application submitted to the United States or elsewhere, separate from the official system noted above, will not be considered.

For additional information about the Fulbright Scholarship: BelgradeFulbright@state.gov

https://rs.usembassy.gov/fulbright-non-degree-visiting-researcher-program-2025-2026/

Fulbright Non-degree Research Program for Doctoral Students 2024-2025

The Embassy of the United States of America in Serbia is pleased to announce the Fulbright Non-degree Visiting Researcher Program for Doctoral Students competition for the 2024-2025 academic year.  The Fulbright Non-degree Visiting Researcher Program for Doctoral Students enables young professionals from Serbia who are already enrolled in a PhD program at a Serbian university to conduct research at a U.S. university related to their PhD thesis.  Grants last 6 to 9 months, and the PhD students from the following fields can apply:

Agriculture, American History, American Literature, American Studies, Anthropology, Archaeology, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Communications, Computer Science, Economics, Education, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Geography, Geology, Information Sciences, Journalism / Media Studies, Law, Library Science, Linguistics, Mathematics, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, TEFL/Applied Linguistics

Participants are selected through an open, merit-based competition.  This prestigious award covers tuition and fees at a U.S. university, a monthly living stipend, health insurance, and international airfare.

Eligibility requirements

• Applicants must be citizens of the Republic of Serbia. Permanent U.S. residents and persons with dual (Serbian and U.S.) citizenship are ineligible.

• Applicants must hold at least a master’s degree and must be enrolled in a PhD program at a Serbian university.

• Applicants must be proficient in oral and written English (Selected candidates will take TOEFL test during the selection process).

• Applicants must be eligible for a J-1 visa, which requires the grantee to return to the Republic of Serbia for a minimum of two years at the end of the grant period.

• Applicants already studying in the U.S. are ineligible for a Fulbright grant.

• Applicants must receive a satisfactory medical clearance.

• Persons desiring permanent residence in the United States are not eligible.

General Selection Criteria

• Academic credentials

• Significance and feasibility of the proposed research

• Necessity to undertake the project in the United States

• Plans for popularizing the research findings

• Adaptability and personal suitability

• Applicants should be representative and responsible citizens who contribute to a full and fair picture of the culture and civilization of Serbia.

• Preference is given to applicants who have not had a prior opportunity for studying in the United States.

All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, and sex.

Selection Procedures

• Applications are subject to pre-screening.

• Applicants recommended by reviewers are invited for an interview conducted in person in English by a selection committee comprised of Embassy representatives, U.S. and Serbian scholars, and Fulbright alumni.

• Nominees are subject to final approval by the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.

How to apply:

Completed applications must include:

• Online application at: https://apply.iie.org/ffsp2024 [ instructions for completing the application can be found here, the Application checklist here, and the Essay Guidelines here ];

• Three (3) Letters of Reference (can be submitted online by instructors, professors or work supervisors, or sent via e-mail to the U.S. Embassy);

• Academic transcripts/diplomas (certified translation into English or verified copies of original academic transcript and degree certificate – scanned and attached to the application);

• Official English translation of certificate for the current academic status (scanned and attached to the application);

• Valid results from the U.S. standardized test – TOEFL – if the applicant has taken this test in the past two years. Please note that we shall organize the taking of the required tests for the selected candidates; and

• Copy of passport.

Please scan all the above-mentioned documents and upload to your online application.  Please note that all items should be translated into English.

Nominated candidates will have to submit a copy of the original academic transcript bearing all official legalization stamps to the U.S. Embassy Belgrade.  The U.S. Embassy will advise the nominated candidates to submit a medical history and examination report if and when necessary.

Application Deadline: May 8, 2023

Any application submitted to the United States or elsewhere, separate from the official system noted above, will not be considered.

For additional information about the Fulbright Scholarship: BelgradeFulbright@state.gov

https://rs.usembassy.gov/fulbright-non-degree-research-program-for-doctoral-students-2024-2025/

Application Deadline: May 8, 2023

Fulbright Graduate Study Program Competition 2024-2025

The Embassy of the United States of America in Serbia is pleased to announce the Fulbright Graduate Study Program competition for the 2024-2025 academic year.  The Fulbright Graduate Study Program enables young professionals from Serbia to study for one year or longer at U.S. universities to pursue a master’s level of study in the following fields:

Agriculture, American History, American Literature, American Studies, Anthropology, Archaeology, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Communications, Computer Science, Economics, Education, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Geography, Geology, Information Sciences, Journalism / Media Studies, Law, Library Science, Linguistics, Mathematics, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, TEFL/Applied Linguistics

Participants are selected through an open, merit-based competition.  This prestigious award covers tuition and fees at a U.S. university, a monthly living stipend, health insurance, and international airfare.

Eligibility requirements

• Applicants must be citizens of the Republic of Serbia. Permanent U.S. residents and persons with dual (Serbian and U.S.) citizenship are ineligible.

• Applicants must be proficient in oral and written English (Selected candidates will take TOEFL and GRE tests during the selection process).

• Applicants must be eligible for a J-1 visa, which requires the grantee to return to the Republic of Serbia for a minimum of two years at the end of the grant period.

• Applicants must have completed undergraduate education at the time of application.

• Applicants already studying in the U.S. are ineligible for a Fulbright grant.

• Applicants must receive a satisfactory medical clearance.

• Persons desiring permanent residence in the United States are not eligible.

General Selection Criteria

• Strong academic record

• Adaptability and personal suitability

• Applicants should be representative and responsible citizens who contribute to a full and fair picture of the culture and civilization of Serbia.

• Preference is given to applicants who have not had a prior opportunity for studying in the United States.

All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, and sex.

Selection Procedures:

• Applications are subject to pre-screening.

• Applicants recommended by reviewers are invited for an interview conducted in person in English by a selection committee comprised of Embassy representatives, U.S. and Serbian scholars, and Fulbright alumni.

• Nominees are subject to final approval by the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.

How to apply

Completed applications must include:

• Online application at: https://apply.iie.org/ffsp2024  [ instructions for completing the application can be found here, the Application checklist here, and the Essay Guidelines here ];

• Three (3) Letters of Reference (can be submitted online by instructors, professors or work supervisors, or sent via e-mail to the U.S. Embassy);

• Academic transcripts/diplomas (certified translation into English or verified copies of original academic transcript and degree certificate – scanned and attached to the application);

• Valid results from the U.S. standardized tests – TOEFL (required for all candidates) and GRE (required in most fields of study) – if the applicant has taken these tests in the past two years. Please note that we shall organize the taking of the required tests for the selected candidates; and

• Copy of passport.

Please scan all the above-mentioned documents and upload to your online application.  Please note that all items should be translated into English.

Nominated candidates will have to submit a copy of the original academic transcript bearing all official legalization stamps to the U.S. Embassy Belgrade.  The U.S. Embassy will advise the nominated candidates to submit a medical history and examination report if and when necessary.

Application Deadline: May 8, 2023

Any application submitted to the United States or elsewhere, separate from the official system noted above, will not be considered.

For additional information about the Fulbright Scholarship: BelgradeFulbright@state.gov

Application Deadline: May 8, 2023

https://rs.usembassy.gov/fulbright-graduate-study-program-competition-2024-2025/

SERBIAN-AMERICAN COOPERATION GRANTS PROGRAM FUNDING OPPORTUNITY 2023

The Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade announces an open competition for individuals and organizations to submit applications for the Serbian-American Cooperation Grants Program.

In order to submit your application please read detailed instructions:  Serbian-American Cooperation Grants Program Notice of Funding Opportunity 2023. All necessary forms and documents are available for download on the grants programs page. Applications, inquiries and all other questions should be sent to belgradepdsgrants@state.gov. Applications deadline April 1, 2023. Please check for information on other PAS funding opportunities here.

Program Objectives:

PDS welcomes proposals from non-government organizations, governmental institutions and individuals to administer creative, engaging projects that  strengthen the Serbian-U.S. relationship and explain U.S. culture, society, values, and policies to Serbian audiences. The Embassy is also working with Serbia’s government, civil society, business community, and other partners on promoting economic development and fighting brain drain; strengthening democracy, including through supporting civic participation, encouraging a free press and human rights, and advancing regional stability and cooperation.

Projects funded through this NOFO must include an American element. That could involve a connection or partnership between Serbian and American organizations or institutions; inviting an American expert to take part, in person or virtually, in your project; hosting a program to examine shared Serbian-American values, national interests, etc.; or incorporating a U.S. approach or method for addressing a challenge facing your community, institution, or profession.

Grant activities may take the form of academic competitions, summer camps (focused on language study, sports, etc), cross-border exchanges, conferences, workshops, courses, curriculum development, exhibits, hackathons or app development, online projects, mock trials or moot court competitions, simulations and role-playing activities (e.g., Model Congress, Model United Nations), film or theater festivals, performances, or other activities.

Projects should begin no earlier than 1 July 2023 and no later than 1 July 2024. All activities and your evaluation or assessment of the project should be completed within 12 months, but up to 18 months in exceptional circumstances. Activities should focus on audiences in Serbia. However, applicants may include participants or partners from neighboring countries of the Western Balkans, if it is in support of the project’s objectives. (See “Participants and Audiences” below.)

Serbian-American Cooperation (SAC) grant proposals should be crafted with a S.M.A.R.T. logic model.  The objective of your activity should be: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant to the problem or challenge, and Time-based, meaning that you will meet them by a certain date.

In accordance with the Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Underserved Communities, proposals should demonstrate how the program advances equity with respect to race, ethnicity, religion, income, geography, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability. The proposal should also demonstrate how the program will further engagement in underserved communities and with individuals from underserved communities. Proposals should demonstrate how addressing racial equity and underserved communities will enhance the program’s goals and objectives, as well as the experience of participants.

Grantees are expected to: publicize your activities, including through social media and/or traditional press outlets; and highlight U.S. Embassy support, with our logo included on project-related materials.

Program Themes

The Embassy seeks applications focusing on the themes below.  We have included ideas about what your project could do, but we welcome creative approaches and activities.

• Fighting Brain Drain: Through Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and/or Tourism Promotion.

  • Leveraging Serbia’s historic and cultural sites, including past beneficiaries of Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) grants, and/or its natural treasures (e.g., parks, rivers, mountains, farmlands, vineyards, etc.) to attract more tourists and promote local economic development.

  • Promotion of entrepreneurship, innovation, the study of STEM subjects (science, technology, environment, and math), and business development skills, including activities focused specifically on women, youth, minorities, members of other disadvantaged groups, and/or underserved communities, particularly in smaller towns and in rural areas.

  • Protection of intellectual property rights to help entrepreneurs, inventors, and artists generate income through their ideas, innovations, inventions, and works.

  • Practical, helpful, and realistic strategies and approaches to assist Serbian businesses and communities to recover economically in the post-coronavirus period.

• Equal Opportunity for People With Disabilities (PWDs): Inclusion and Advocacy in Education, Workforce, Civic Participation, and Social Interaction.

  • Generation of broader awareness and discussion about the challenges faced by the disabled community by publicizing activities and successes of the disabled community in Serbia; showcasing best practices of NGOs, government offices, schools, institutions, and unions; or drawing lessons from the U.S. struggle to expand the rights of PWDs that can be adapted and applied in Serbia.

  • Advocating for greater PWD access to opportunities in education, employment, sports, civic engagement, public policy debates, culture, and other fields including teachers and schools who provide quality instruction to children with learning disabilities; and communities that minimize or remove physical barriers to PWDs and provide easier access for the deaf/hard of hearing and the blind/visually impaired.

• Human Rights. PDS welcomes projects focused on women’s rights and on promoting equality for ethnic and religious minorities, the LGBTQI community, refugees and migrants, and other disadvantaged or vulnerable populations.

• Serbian-American Ties. PDS welcomes projects that inform and educate audiences in Serbia about historical, cultural, scientific, and people-to-people ties between our two countries.

  • Highlight cooperation and the contributions of citizens from both countries in different sectors (economic, governance, security, health, science, education, culture, etc.), either in the past or currently;

  • Publicize joint efforts to combat global problems such as climate change, disease, terrorism human trafficking, international crime;

  • Explain and foster debate about current U.S. policies toward Serbia, the region, and Europe;

  • Explore the intersection of Serbia’s and America’s national interests;

  • Examine the benefits of past and current cooperation and coordination with the U.S. and western institutions (including the EU), U.S. assistance, and/or investments in Serbia; examine the impact of people-to-people contacts on our two countries, including through immigration and/or exchange programs;

  • Underscore our common attitudes and shared values, including our faith in democracy, commitment to academic inquiry, etc.

• Regional Cooperation / Finding Joint Solutions to Common Problems.

  • Identify joint approaches in solving problems or challenges currently facing the Balkan region, e.g., in education, environmental protection, in combating brain drain, in tourism promotion, in crisis planning, in human rights protection, etc;

  • Expand and strengthen ties of Serbian professional societies and civil society organizations with their counterparts in the Balkan region;

  • Promote mutual understanding, tolerance, and respect among peoples of the Western Balkans;

  • Support the normalization of relations between Pristina and Belgrade, including projects focused on education, the environment, economics, etc.

• Education. Promotion of innovative or interactive teaching methods, student-based or project-based education, inside or outside the classroom, and/or development of educational TV, radio, online, and video game programs, that focus on:

  • civic education

  • promoting active engagement by citizens, including young people, in the democracy process;

  • expanding students’ understanding of governmental structures at the central and local level, policy-making, representational government, and their rights and responsibilities as citizens in a democratic society;

  • examining the role of non-governmental institutions, including the media, business, and civil society, in policy-making;

  • involving students in debates on matters of public interest;

  • examining the role Serbia does or can play in diplomacy, promoting regional and global stability, and/or combating global problems, such as crime, terrorism, human trafficking, disease, etc.

  • combating anti-Semitism through Holocaust education.

  • promotion of tolerance and understanding of individuals from different ethnic or religious backgrounds, who are disabled, from the LGBTQI community, or from some other disadvantaged or vulnerable population.

  • promotion of gender equality.

  • ensuring children from disadvantaged or vulnerable populations, or from more remote areas of the country, have equal educational opportunities.

  • strengthening academic integrity and combating corruption in education.

  • establishing or strengthening of linkages between American and Serbian academic institutions, including faculty, staff, and/or students.

Please note that PDS generally will not fund cultural or athletic activities, including travel to Serbia by American performers and athletes, unless they serve one of the Program Themes. Information on other PDS funding opportunities, some connected directly or indirectly to the above Program Themes, are listed on https://rs.usembassy.gov/grants-programs/.

Deadline for Applications: April 1, 2023

https://rs.usembassy.gov/serbian-american-cooperation-grants-program-funding-opportunity-2023/

Student grafičkih umetnosti inspiriše najnovijim stvaralaštvom

Čudne, a zadivljujuće statue Lepenskog Vira u Srbiji decenijama zbunjuju posetioce i umetnike. Isklesane u kamenu nalazile su se duž reke Dunav i prikazuju ljudska lica sa ribljim crtama.

Zaintrigirana, Medlin Alison, student završne godine grafičkog dizajna na Univerzitetu Vejland Baptist, odlučila je da zaroni malo dublje kako bi saznala više o istorijskom mestu za školski projekat. Ipak je naletela na prepreku  - nije mogla da pronađe ništa na engleskom jeziku, osim onoga što je dokumentovano u knjizi istorije.

Otišla je kod profesora Dejana Mraovića, koordinatora Programa za grafički dizajn fakulteta, i sa njim provela jedno popodne u istraživanju.

Dan kasnije, Mraović je prišao Alison sa imenom i imejlom srpskog zvaničnika i ohrabrio je da zatraži pomoć.

Misleći da zvaničnika – Adama Sofronijevića, zamenika direktora Univerzitetske biblioteke Univerziteta u Beogradu i direktora radne jedinice „Srbijamarka” Pošte Srbije – ne zanima mnogo šta se dešava sa studentom u Plejnvjuu u Teksasu, Alison je poslala upit sa malim očekivanjima.

Na njeno iznenađenje, dobila je odgovor.

„Nije me samo kontaktirao“, rekla je, „Sastavio je ceo ovaj folder od 39 članaka iz časopisa – sve na engleskom.“

Ona se potrudila da ih sve pročita i bila je još više fascinirana Lepenskim Virom na osnovu onoga što je pronašla.

Kao profesor grafičkog dizajna srpskih korena, Mraović je ponosan na interesovanje koje je studentkinja pokazala. Ali pored umetnosti, postojala je još jedna obrazovna tačka koju se nadao da će usaditi: umetnost može da gradi mostove.

Alison je provela prolećni semestar 2022. istražujući kako bi stvorila delo koje tačno odražava srpsku znamenitost. Napravila je set maraka koje prikazuju statue Lepenskog Vira među kulisama srpskih pejzaža. Bio je to naporan projekat.

Svaka marka je svoje umetničko delo. Provela je mnogo sati usavršavajući izgled i stvarajući seriju koja bi se poklopila. Provela je još više vremena tražeći savršen font.

Na prvi pogled, dizajni markica izgledaju kao fotografije snimljene na lokacijama koje prikazuju. Pažljiviji pogled otkriva detalje koji su kulminirali od sati koje je Alison uložila u svoj projekat.

Mraović je rekao da je uvek ponosan na svoje učenike, ali da je posebno ponosan što je video proizvod Alisoninog opsežnog istraživanja. Bio je toliko ponosan, zapravo, da su poslali elektronske dosijee maraka Damjanu Joviću, generalnom konzulu Republike Srbije u Čikagu.

On je odgovorio rekavši da mu se sviđa dizajn i ponudio je da pomogne, ako može, u Alisoninim i Mraovićevim naporima da promovišu srpski turizam i kulturno nasleđe Srbije.

Alison je još jednom bila oduševljena odgovorom koji je dobila od nekoga na takvom zvaničnom položaju. To što je uopšte odvojio vreme da uopšte odgovori bilo je samo po sebi dobrodošlo iznenađenje.

Ona se nada da će ljudi biti inspirisani njenim stvaralaštvom da požele da i sami vide čuda koja ona ceni. 

Članak autorke Ellysa Harris objavljen na stranici https://www.myplainview.com/news/local/article/Graphic-Art-student-aims-to-inspire-with-latest-17169343.php . Fotografija preuzeta sa navedene stranice.