Fulbright Non-degree Visiting Researcher Program for Doctoral Students Competition for the 2027-2028 Academic Year

The United States-Kosovo Educational Exchange Board is pleased to announce the Fulbright Non-degree Visiting Researcher Program for Doctoral Students competition for the 2027–2028 academic year. The program enables doctoral students from Kosovo who are actively enrolled in a PhD program to conduct research at a U.S. university in support of their dissertation. Grants range from three to seven months, and doctoral students in the following fields, including but not limited to those listed below, are eligible to apply:

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

This program is jointly funded by the U.S. Department of State and the Government of Kosovo.

Eligibility requirements

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

• Applicants must be enrolled in a PhD program at a university in Kosovo or, if enrolled in a PhD program outside Kosovo, demonstrate a clear commitment to return to and reside in Kosovo upon completion of their degree and contribute to their field. Priority will be given to applicants enrolled in PhD programs at universities in Kosovo.

• Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in spoken and written English. Selected candidates will take the TOEFL during the selection process.

• Applicants must be eligible for a J-1 visa, which requires the grantee to return to the Republic of Kosovo 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 satisfactory medical clearance. 

• Applicants who intend to seek 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 disseminating the research findings and the potential of those findings to inform practice, policy, or other areas of impact in Kosovo

• Adaptability and personal suitability

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

• Applicants who have received a Fulbright award within the past five years will not be considered.

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

Selection Procedures

• Applications are subject to pre-screening.

• Applicants recommended by the reviewers will be invited to an in-person interview conducted in English by the United States-Kosovo Educational Exchange Board.

• 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/ffsp2027/ [instructions for completing the application can be found here];

• Applicants must submit a Research Objective, a Personal Statement, and short-answer responses included in the Study Plan section of the application.

• A minimum of three professional references must be submitted by the application deadline. References should be provided by instructors, professors, or work supervisors who know the applicant well.

• Official, certified copies of academic transcripts and diplomas from all post-secondary institutions attended must be submitted. Documents not issued in English must be accompanied by official English translations, and scanned copies must be uploaded with the application.

• An official certificate confirming the applicant’s current academic status must be submitted. If the certificate is not issued in English, an official English translation is required. A scanned copy must be uploaded with the application.

• Applicants who have taken the TOEFL within the past two years should submit valid test results. Applicants are not required to take the test during the application period; the program will arrange testing for selected candidates.

• Copy of passport.

Please scan and upload all required documents to the online application. All documents not issued in English must be accompanied by an English translation.

USKEB will advise nominated candidates if they are required to submit a medical history and examination report.

Application Deadline: October 31, 2026

For questions or additional information, please contact:

United States-Kosovo Educational Exchange Board (USKEB)
Email: info@uskeb.org
Phone: +383 (0) 38 226 255