Nepal
1 Fulbright-Fogarty Public Health Fellowship Award
Accepted Degree Levels
|
Grant PeriodJuly StartGrant Length10 Months |
Award Type
Specialized Grant Types
- Science/Public Health
Award Profile
The Fulbright-Fogarty Fellowships in Public Health are offered through a partnership between the Fulbright Program and the Fogarty International Center of the U.S. National Institutes of Health. These awards were established to promote the expansion of research in public health and clinical research in resource-limited settings.
Fulbright-Fogarty Fellowships carry the same benefits as the traditional Fulbright Study/Research grants to the host country. The Fogarty International Center, NIH, will provide support to the research training site and may provide orientation for the fellows at the NIH.
For more details on Fulbright-Fogarty Fellowships and application instructions, please review the ‘Type of Awards’ page: https://us.fulbrightonline.org/applicants/types-of-awards/fulbright-fogarty-fellowships-in-public-health
Grant Length
Grant Period
Mid-July through mid-May. Grantees should arrive in time to attend the mandatory mid-July orientation meetings in Kathmandu.
Orientation
Grantees will be required to participate in a Virtual Pre-Departure Orientation (VPDO) in June/July as a condition of their grants. In addition, grantees will be required to participate in a Pre-Departure Orientation with NIH in July.
Candidate Profile
Pre-doctoral trainees:
Must be enrolled in an accredited doctoral-level program (MD, PhD, DDS, or comparable degree from an accredited institution) in public health, government, business, design, engineering, education, medicine, nutrition, law, pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or nursing. Eligible doctoral degrees include, but are not limited to: DMD, DC, DO, DVM, OD, DPM, ScD, EngD, DrPH, DNSc, DPT, PharmD, ND, DSW, PsyD, JD and Doctorate of Philosophy in Nursing.
Health-professional students who wish to interrupt their studies for a year or more to engage in full-time research training before completing their formal training programs are also eligible.
By the start of the program year (July 2025), fellows must be an MD or other professional degree student who has completed their 3rd year, or a Ph.D. candidate who has completed their Master’s level requirements (i.e., post-qualifying exam).
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Being a Fulbright grantee in Nepal is a blend of academic exploration and cultural immersion. The diverse landscapes, from the chaotic streets of Kathmandu to rugged and remote mountain regions, form a backdrop for both professional and personal growth. A fundamental part of the experience is engagement with local communities and collaboration wih Nepali counterparts, sharing knowledge and perspectives. Grantees must be willing to face challenges shuch as adjusting to different cultural and professional norms and coping with weak infrastructure, urban pollution, and health hazards.
Eligibility
6 Months
Degree Level of Applicant
- Doctoral
Special Application Instructions
Select "Fulbright-Fogarty" for Award Type in the application.
All Fulbright-Fogarty applicants pursuing a placement in Nepal should select “Public Health” as the Field of Study in the Fulbright application.
Applicants proposing research involving human beings or animals as research subjects should have their projects vetted by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at their home institutions. While IRB approval is not required at the time of application, individuals selected for grants must abide by all ethical requirements before commencing their research on human and/or animal subjects through a Fulbright award.
For students undertaking health-related research, their projects must be approved by the Nepal Health Research Council, which acts as the only Institutional Review Board in Nepal. Health-related research projects cannot involve patient contact.
Grantees undertaking health-related research should start the approval process prior to arriving in Nepal and also be prepared to devote time to that process at the beginning of the grant period.
Foreign Language Proficiency
Additional Information:
Proficiency in Nepali or another local language (e.g., Bhojpuri, Maithili, Newari, Tibetan) commensurate with the nature of the proposed project is recommended. Applicants without Nepali or relevant local language skills should include significant plans for language study in their proposals. Regardless of the grantee’s language ability, the Fulbright Commission provides initial language instruction during the week-long in-country orientation period and highly recommends that grantees continue language study throughout their grant periods.
Fulbright Proposal Types
Yes
No
Affiliation
Letter required for independent study or research at deadline
Applicants are required to obtain a letter of support from the site contact.
When emailing project contacts, please include both contacts and attach a current CV and a concise statement (less than 500 words) about your interest in the program (especially your primary research interest).
Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Award Benefits
- A stipend broadly based on the cost of living in the host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to support housing, meals, and incidental costs during the grant period.
- International travel benefits
- Accident & sickness health benefits
- 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
- 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
Stipend Amount
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
$1,400 per month
Grantees are responsible for arranging their own housing.
One-Time Allowances
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
- Excess baggage fees
- Language training allowance
- Research/Materials allowance
- Settling in allowance
Excess baggage: $400
Language allowance: $500
Settling in allowance: $400
Incidental allowance: $1,200
Additional Grant Benefits
- Mid-year seminar
Enrichment Seminar
An enrichment seminar is planned during the Fall to bring all Fulbright grantees in country together to share their research projects and discuss matters of national or global significance.
Grnatees foster meaningful conenctions with fellow Fulbrighters throughout the duration of their award by engaging in networking opportunities, participating in insightful talks, joining interesing forums, and fostering shared camaraderie.
South and Central Asia Fulbright Conference
With funding provided by the United States Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the U.S.-India Educational Foundation (the Fulbright Commission in India) invites eligible Fulbright grantees in the South and Central Asia region to attend the annual South and Central Asia Fulbright Conference in India (usually held in February or March). The conference is an opportunity for Fulbright U.S. Scholars and U.S. Student Researchers who are on their Fulbright grants in the SCA region at the time of the conference to gather to discuss each other’s work, network, and share their experiences as international exchange participants.
Financial assistance to attend the conference is provided as an additional Fulbright grant benefit.
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
Housing costs vary depending on the location, size and quality, starting from $250 per month for a room with kitchen and more for apartments or houses with amenities. For day-to-day expenses, $20-35 suffices if cooking at home. Dining out may cost $15-25 per meal at a good restaurant. Travel has been made easier due to the advent of ride apps such as Pathao, Tootle, and InDriver. Public transport is cheaper, but congested. Researchers are advised to live near their research site or host institution to reduce commuting.
Dependents
Housing Arrangements
Grantees are required to secure their own accommodation.
Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Dhulikhel Hospital Kathmandu University Hospital/Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences (DHKUH/KUSMS)
U.S. University Consortia: INSIGHT
Summary of Site
DHKUH/KUSMS is the largest provider of tertiary level health care in Nepal and also spearheads the country’s health sciences research. Its vision is to become a world class research-intensive school over the next decade.
The School of Medical Sciences is the largest school of Kathmandu University (KU) and is the leader in the field of health sciences education and research in Nepal. Every year it produces more than 1,000 medical doctors, 250 specialized doctors and other 1,000 health professionals in different fields. Through Dhulikhel Hospital- its central University Hospital, and the hospitals of other seven affiliated medical colleges, KU is also the largest provider of tertiary level health care in Nepal and also spearheads the field of health sciences research in the country.
KUSMS offers academic programs in medicine, dentistry, public health, nursing, human biology, pharmacy, lab medicine, radio-imaging technology and physiotherapy. Every year, it produces approximately 2150 health professionals in different fields through the central college and its seven affiliate medical colleges. Dhulikhel Hospital is a community service-oriented hospital guided by the principles of social equity, sustainable development, harmony with nature, and supported by the Dhulikhel community. The hospital was founded with the belief that Quality Health Care should be accessible to people from easy to reach hard to reach communities.
DHKUH is a community service-oriented hospital guided by the principles of social equity, sustainable development, harmony with nature, and supported by the Dhulikhel community. DHKUH is a standalone tertiary care center which provides healthcare services to people from more than 50 districts with the catchment population of approximately 3 million people from Kavrepalanchowk, Sindhupalchowk, Dolakha, Sindhuli, Ramechhap, Bhaktapur, and other surrounding districts. Although there are primary health care centers and health posts under the government health care system there is a huge mass of population and areas that go amiss in seeking care especially for IDs and EIDs. There is an utmost need for an advanced center that caters to the health care needs of these people.
Primary Contacts
- Anna Helova: ahelova@uab.edu
- Tayyaba Khan: khan14@uab.edu
Areas of Focus
- Infectious Diseases
- Non-communicable Diseases
- Implementation Science
- Health Systems
- mHealth Technologies
- Population Health Studies
- Clinical Trials
Language Requirement
Recommended - Novice
Additional Information:
Nepali or another local language (e.g., Bhojpuri, Maithili, Newari, Tibetan) language proficiency commensurate with the nature of the proposed project is recommended. Applicants without Nepali or relevant local language skills should include significant plans for language study in their proposals. Regardless of the grantee’s language ability, the Fulbright Commission provides initial language instruction during the week-long in-country orientation period and highly recommends that grantees continue language study throughout their grant periods.
Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences (KUSMS)
U.S. University Consortia Partner: NPGH
Summary of Site
Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences (KUSMS) is an institution established in collaboration between Kathmandu University and Dhulikhel Hospital.
Primary Contact
- Archana Shrestha, archana@kusms.edu.np, KUSMS
Areas of Focus
Fellows would be expected to work with U.S. and Nepali mentor groups to develop an independent research project that could be integrated into one of the following projects or in a new area of interest:
- Risk factors for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and the development of new devices for use in low-resource settings
Sample Research Projects
Current ongoing projects that are accepting scholars and fellows include: the Dhulikhel Heart Study, a collaboration that seeks to understand risk factors for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and the development of new devices for use in low-resource settings.
Language Requirement
None
Nepal Cleft and Burn Center; Kirtipur Hospital
U.S. University Consortia: NPGH
Summary of Site
The Nepal Cleft & Burn Center, a 16,000 square foot clinic in Kathmandu, opened in 2014. Since then, we have become the foremost teaching hospital for burns and cleft palette surgeries in Nepal.
Primary Contact
- Dr. Barclay Stewart, barclays@uw.edu, University of Washington
Areas of Focus
- Treatment of trauma and burns
Language Requirement
None
Tribhuvan University
U.S. Univeristy Consortia: UJMT
Summary of Site
Tribhuvan University (TU), established in 1959, is the first national institution of higher education in Nepal. The university governs five institutes: Institute of Medicine (IOM), Institute of Engineering (IOE), Institute of Science and Technology, Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, and Institute of Forestry. The IOM was established in 1972 to train and develop all levels of health manpower in the field of country. Since the initial phase of training of Health Assistants and Auxiliary Nurse Midwifes, the institute has grown over the years to become a pioneer and trendsetter in medical education in the country.
Primary Contacts
- William Checkley – wcheckl1@jhmi.edu
- Arun Sharma – docarunsharma@hotmail.com
Areas of Focus
Fellows would be expected to work with U.S. and Nepal based mentor groups to develop an independent research project that could be integrated into one of the following projects or in a new area of interest:
- Respiratory Health
- Pneumonia
- Vaccine development and testing
- Pediatrics
- The Brick Kiln project: The active Brick Kiln project aims to characterize the effects of brick kiln pollution, a neglected but serious environmental and occupational risk factor, on lung function and respiratory symptoms in brick kiln workers and family members in Bhaktapur, Nepal. We are also conducting lung imaging to identify radiographic abnormalities, and immunophenotyping to examine the immune system response. We are measuring personal exposures to brick kiln dust and smoke, ambient and household air pollutants, and tobacco smoke, and will be estimating biologically-relevant lifetime exposures.
Language Requirement
None