Bolivia
2 Open Study/Research Award
Accepted Degree Levels
|
Grant PeriodFlexible StartGrant Length10 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
U.S. grantees to Bolivia typically enter the country on a tourist visa, which allows them to extend their stay up to 90 days in 30-day increments. For stays exceeding 90 days, grantees must apply through the Bolivian Migration Department to adjust their status. The U.S. Embassy is available to provide assistance and guidance throughout this process.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Grant Length: 10 months.
Grants may begin at any time between August 31, 2026 and March 31, 2027, based on project design. Applicants should discuss their project timeline in the Statement of Grant Purpose.
Orientation
As a condition of the grant, all grantees to Bolivia are required to participate in a Pre-Departure Orientation in the U.S. prior to the start of the grant. Grantees will receive an arrival briefing with the U.S. Embassy in Bolivia.
Candidate Profile
Applicants must have a well-defined research project and must have demonstrated ability to work independently, have a solid foundation in their subject areas, have demonstrated high levels of adaptability and maturity, and the ability to serve as a cultural ambassador.
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.
Douglas Gurdak (2024):
My experience as a grantee in the Fulbright US Student Program in Bolivia exceeded my expectations. I had the amazing opportunity to work alongside faculty in the Instituto Chuquisaqueño de Oncología where I gained a deeper insight into the public cancer care system in Sucre, Bolivia. Not only did I have the opportunity to assist with organization and centralization of breast cancer patient records, but I got to learn first-hand from their breast cancer care team about both the challenges and benefits of practicing in the public sector. From a cultural standpoint, I met many lifelong friends from a variety of backgrounds with whom I had the chance to try a plethora of national dishes and attended many local festivals, including the famous entrada de la Virgen de Guadalupe. In my free time I likewise had the opportunity to attend events hosted by a youth-focused political organization that inspires young Bolivians to become more involved in politics and activism. From research to food to lifelong friends, my Fulbright Bolivia Experience was one that not only awarded me crucial professional and academic development but significantly deepened my cultural insight into the politics and experiences of Bolivia.
Alyssa Nichols (2020):
In Bolivia specifically, daily life moves slower and not a lot of information is online, so it requires a lot of patience.
Annick Benavides (2020):
I made sure to only go to known places at night, usually in walking distance of my apartment in a neighborhood known to be safe. I was careful to keep my purse / backpack close to me.
Kelsey Burhans (2016):
“[A] cultural shift I noticed was that, compared to my time working in Cochabamba a few years ago, the people of La Paz had different mannerisms. Citizens of this area seemed to be more closed off, less initially hospitable and talkative than their counterparts in other cities. Most local friends I spoke to attributed this to the altitude, hypothesizing that the harsher climate of the mountains made people more shrewd and discerning of who they spend time with. Regardless of the cause, it took me a bit longer to earn trust and get people to open up, but once they did, I formed warm and wonderful friendships.”
Theresa Edwards (2018):
I have had multiple people [ask me personal questions that are really] taboo in US culture. My strategy for dealing with this cultural aspect has been to just remind myself that I am in a different culture and that people are not intentionally trying to be rude or offensive.
Get everything in writing before you agree to pay for something such as a rented room. Write up the terms and conditions, have the landlord sign it, and save it. If they are not willing to put it in writing, look for a better option. Pay using card/a bank transfer when possible, rather than in cash, so that you have a record of the payment. Get a receipt if you can, or take a photo of the payment with the date and amount.
Eligibility
12 Months
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
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.
Additional Information: Spanish language proficiency is necessary, not only for the development of the proposed project, but to communicate on a daily basis. Higher level proficiency may be necessary depending on the requirements of the proposed project. Applicants should discuss plans for language study between the time of application and the commencement of the grant in Language Self-Evaluation in the Fulbright application. A Foreign Language Evaluation by a college level Spanish language instructor is also required.
Basic Aymara or Quechua will be helpful for effective research.
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
Candidates arrange their own affiliation and are expected to work independently. Candidates must include letter of affiliation in their applications.
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.
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.
- Research/Materials allowance
- Settling in allowance
- $2,850 base allowance to cover round-trip international travel, transit, excess baggage, settling-in expenses.
- $1,500 Research Allowance
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
Please visit this website to help estimate the cost of living, meals, and incidentals in different capital cities in Bolivia. Significant differences can exist in smaller towns where costs tend to be lower.
Dependents
Housing Arrangements
General Comments
The program is open to all fields. However, projects focusing on business topics, particularly micro-enterprise development and eco-tourism, are highly encouraged. Additionally, students in the fields of computer science, technology, innovation, criminal justice, law, ecology, and museum studies (management, preservation, and cultural patrimony) are encouraged to apply.
Projects focused on politics or politically sensitive topics are not encouraged.
Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Emerging Voices Specialist: pradoj@state.gov