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/

Global UGRAD Program - Apply by December 15, 2023

The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD ) provides a diverse group of emerging student leaders with a scholarship for one semester of non-degree academic study at a U.S. college or university. Global UGRAD is a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State and aims to recruit participants from underrepresented backgrounds who have not had other opportunities to study in the United States. Successful applicants can expect an in-depth exposure to U.S. society, culture, and academic institutions, as well as opportunities to enhance their professional skills.

Participants will be required to enroll in at least two courses in their major and one course in a U.S. Studies field (such as history, literature, art, or government) to enhance their understanding of the United States. Participants will live in campus housing facilities with American peers and will be required to participate in 20 hours of community service. The program will include a pre-departure orientation, a virtual arrival orientation, and an in-person end-of-program workshop in Washington, DC. The scholarship covers international travel, tuition, room and board, medical insurance, required books, and a small monthly stipend.

All academic fields of study are eligible. Per J-1 visa regulations, for the students of medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacology or other clinical fields of study, the direct patient care, including animal care, is not permitted, and therefore academic coursework and/or program activities at participating U.S. institutions may be limited.

For application information and instructions, and to apply please visit the Global UGRAD online application

Eligibility for the Global UGRAD Program:

1. Applicants must be a citizen of the country in which they apply for the Global UGRAD Program, currently residing in that country.

2. Applicants must be studying in the country in which they apply for the Global UGRAD Program.

3. Applicants must be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate, in good standing, at any accredited university.

4. Applicants must have at least one year remaining in their undergraduate studies at their home institutions upon completion of the Global UGRAD Program.

5. Applicants should demonstrate leadership potential through academic work, community involvement, and extracurricular activities.

6. Applicants must have a solid command of written and spoken English.

7. Preference will be given to those who have had little or no experience in the United States or outside of their home countries.

8. Applicants are required to return directly to their home country after the completion of the program.

9. Students with disabilities are encouraged to apply. (http://www.miusa.org ) 

Individuals in the following circumstances are not eligible for the Global UGRAD Program:

1. U.S. citizens and permanent residents of the United States;

2. Individuals currently studying, residing, or working outside of their home country;

3. Anyone who has already graduated from university;

4. Immediate family members (i.e., spouses and children) of U.S. Department of State and USAID employees; family members are also ineligible for one year following the termination of employment.

Before you begin/Useful tips:

• Prospective participants should request their academic transcripts and letters of recommendation as soon as possible, as they will not be able to add additional information after the December 15, 2023 deadline. They can provide English translations of their updated transcripts once they have been selected as a finalist or alternate.

• Recommendation letters – One reference must be academic and written by a professor or assistant professor from the candidate’s major field of study. A second reference may come from a non-academic aspect of the candidate’s life and work.

• Essay writing tips

• Be patient and persistent! It takes longer than two hours to submit a quality proposal.

For additional information please write to: BelgradeG-UGRAD@state.gov

THE APPLICATION DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 15, 2023, 21:59 EST

FULBRIGHT VISITING SCHOLAR PROGRAM COMPETITION 2024-2025

The Embassy of the United States of America in Serbia is pleased to announce the opening of the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program competition for the 2024-2025 academic year. This is a non-degree post-doctoral award program for junior and senior researchers, university lecturers, and experts from academic institutions in Serbia. This program gives scholars the opportunity to travel to the United States to engage in advanced academic research and/or lecture at the university level. All applicants must currently be affiliated with one of the higher education institutions in Serbia. In addition, all qualified applicants are expected to have the capacity and commitment to take full advantage of the program, either doing research or lecturing at a U.S. university, and be willing to share their experience and knowledge after returning to Serbia. The Embassy wants the Fulbright experience to be of value not only to the individual scholar, but also to that individual’s home university, including its students and faculty. And, of course, we anticipate that the presence of the Visiting Scholar from Serbia will benefit the U.S. host institution as well. Indeed, Fulbright scholars serve as citizen ambassadors and should be prepared to speak about their country, culture, and research to academic and community groups in the U.S.

Fields of Specialization:

Applications will be considered in the following areas of specialization:

Agriculture / Agro-Business, American Studies, Anthropology, Archaeology, Architecture, Art, Art History, Astronomy, Biology, Business Administration, Chemistry, Communications, Computer Science, Creative Writing, Dance, Economics, Education, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Film Studies, Geography, Geology, Global Health, Government, History (either American or other), Information Science, International Affairs, Journalism, Literature (either American or other), Law, Library Science, Linguistics, Mathematics, Medical Sciences, Music, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Public Administration, Public Health, Regional/Area Studies, Religious Studies, Social Work, Sociology, Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), Theater, Urban Planning

We especially encourage applications focusing on Agriculture/Agro-business, Engineering, Science, Law, Government, Political Science, American Studies, and Regional or Area Studies. Taking into account the current worldwide public health crisis, we would also certainly welcome applications related to Public Health or Global Health.

Length of Program: The minimum grant period is three (3) and maximum nine (9) months.

Eligibility requirements:

Applicants must:

• be citizens of the Republic of Serbia;

• hold a Ph.D. in the field of research or lecturing;

• be proficient in oral and written English;

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

• be in good enough health to obtain a medical clearance.

• Persons desiring to immigrate to or obtain permanent residence in the United States are not eligible to apply.

• Researchers in medicine, dental medicine, veterinary medicine, nursing and other fields whose research proposals include clinical contact with patients are not eligible for Fulbright grants. Candidates with medical degrees are not allowed to pursue medical residencies or internships in the United States as Fulbright Fellows.

Dependents

The Fulbright program does provide small allowance for accompanying dependents.

How to apply

Completed on online application at: https://apply.iie.org/fvsp2024

To apply, you will need to upload scans of the following documents onto the online application portal:

• Detailed statement about your proposed research project and/or plan to conduct lectures in the United States during the grant period;

• Letter from your employer confirming your employment in Serbia (in English or Serbian);

• Detailed Curriculum Vitae (resume);

• Three (3) letters of reference;

• Bibliography (related to your research proposal) and/or course syllabus (related to your lecturing proposal);

• Letter of invitation or email from a U.S. institution of higher learning, if applicable, i.e., if you have already been in touch with a U.S. university);

• Copy of the biodata page of your passport.

Any application sent or submitted to the U.S. Embassy via any channel except for the official online system noted above will not be considered. Do not try to send your application by post or by email.

Instructions for completing the application can be downloaded here.

Application Deadline: October 23, 2023.

Decision Timeline. Only short-listed candidates will be interviewed in November or December. Washington will make the final selection and decisions on placement in the spring of 2023.

For additional information about the Fulbright Scholarship:

Please email: BelgradeFulbright@state.gov

For information on this and other academic and professional exchange programs please go to: https://rs.usembassy.gov/education-culture/exchange-programs/

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/