Nepal
6 Open Study/Research Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodJuly StartGrant Length10 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
The Fulbright U.S. Student Research grants offer an opportunity to conduct individually-designed research projects in Nepal.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Mid-July through mid-May.
Orientation
Grantees must make their travel plans through the Fulbright Commission and should arrive in time to attend the mandatory mid-July orientation meetings in Kathmandu.
Candidate Profile
All disciplines will be considered. Applicants must have a well-defined research project, a solid foundation in their proposed subject area(s), a demonstrated ability to work independently, and high levels of adaptability and maturity. Since university library holdings in Nepal are limited and local faculty supervision is generally not available, grantees usually work without close supervision.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Applicants are expected to research their host country. Application materials should indicate a clear commitment to the host country community and a description of how you will engage with it.
Nepal offers a unique and transformative experience for Fulbrighters, blending its rich cultural heritage with a dynamic landscape of political and social change. In recent decades, the country has undergone significant transition, including the adoption of a federal constitution in 2015 that shifted key decision-making powers to provincial levels, empowering communities across its diverse regions.
With 40.33% of its population aged 16-40 (as per the 2011 Population and Housing Census), Nepal is a youthful nation ripe with potential. However, its educational infrastructure faces challenges that call for improvement, presenting important opportunities for teaching, research, and collaboration between U.S. and Nepalese institutions. While resources in Nepalese higher education may be modest compared to those in the U.S., Fulbrighters often find enthusiastic colleagues and motivated students eager to engage with contemporary global issues.
Success as a Fulbright grantee in Nepal requires patience, adaptability, a thirst for adventure, and a good sense of humor. These qualities help scholars navigate the cultural, logistical, and environmental nuances of living and working in this Himalayan nation.
Eligibility
6 Months
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
Special Application Instructions
Applicants proposing research involving human or animal subjects must ensure their projects comply with ethical guidelines:
Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval:
- Applicants should have their research vetted by the IRB at their home institutions.
- While IRB approval is not required at the time of application, selected grantees must obtain all necessary ethical clearances before beginning research involving human or animal subjects under a Fulbright award.
Health-Related Research in Nepal:
- Projects involving health-related research must be approved by the Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC), the sole Institutional Review Board in Nepal.
- Important: Health-related research projects cannot involve direct patient contact.
Grantees should begin the NHRC approval process before arriving in Nepal and anticipate dedicating time to it at the start of their grant period.
Unaffiliated Applicants:
Those not enrolled in a graduate program at the time of application must outline in their proposal how they will ensure the protection of human subjects if their research involves human participants.
Research in Restricted Areas:
Conducting research in government-designated restricted areas in Nepal requires special permits, which can be costly.
These costs are not covered by the Fulbright Commission, and applicants should be prepared to cover them independently.
Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) Form
If required, submission of the Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is mandatory, even if you have advanced skills or are a native speaker of the language. Failure to submit the required FLE form may impact your eligibility.
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 language ability, grantees may undertake language study while in country. An allowance for continued language learning is included in the grant.
Foreign Language Proficiency Level by Grant Start
If a Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is Required, applicants must have the following proficiency level by the start of the grant period. If a Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is Recommended, applicants are encouraged but not required to have the following level by the start of the grant period.
Fulbright Proposal Types
Yes
No
Affiliation
Applicants are required to identify appropriate host institutions for their projects and to include Affiliation Letters with their Fulbright applications.
Affiliations may be with local or international non-governmental organizations, university departments, or other institutions. No more than two affiliations are allowed.
Fulbright grantees do not enroll in university courses but may find it productive to work with local faculty or graduate students when appropriate. The Fulbright grant is not meant to support internships at organizations in Nepal. Rather, it is meant to support independent research.
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 expected to utilize this stipend for 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 fees: up to $400 (Re-imbursement basis)
Language training allowance: up to $500 (Re-imbursement basis)
Settling in allowance $400: (First month, lump sum)
Incidental allowance for research/materials: $1200 (First month, lump sum)
Additional Grant Benefits
- Mid-year seminar
Enrichment Seminar
A Fulbright Enrichment Seminar is held in the fall to bring together all Fulbright grantees in Nepal. This event provides an opportunity to:
- Share research plans and receive feedback from peers.
- Engage in discussions on topics of national and global significance.
- Build meaningful connections with fellow Fulbrighters.
- Participate in networking opportunities, insightful talks, and interactive forums.
South and Central Asia Fulbright Conference
Each year, the U.S.-India Educational Foundation hosts the South and Central Asia Fulbright Conference in India (typically in February or March). Funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, this conference brings together Fulbright U.S. Scholars and Student Researchers from across the SCA region.
Conference Highlights:
- Presentations of ongoing research and projects
- Networking with fellow scholars and researchers
- Sharing insights and experiences as part of the Fulbright community
- Financial assistance to attend the conference is provided as an exclusive Fulbright grant benefit.
Financial assistance to attend the conference is provided as an exclusive 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.
Cost of living in Nepal on average is 65% lower than the United States. Housing costs vary depending on 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 $15-30 per meal at a good restaurant. Travel has been made easier due to the advent of ride apps such as Pathao and InDrive. 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 accommodations.
Security Concerns
The Fulbright Commission in Nepal will carefully review all Fulbright proposals for feasibility and security concerns. Applicants must be flexible in response to changing conditions and grantees must comply with all security procedures set in place by the Commission in consultation with the U.S. Embassy in Nepal.