The U.S. Embassy in Tirana has opened the application process for the 2026-2027 Fulbright Foreign Student Program. This program offers a one to two-year degree opportunity for young professionals and university graduates aiming to pursue a master’s degree in the United States. Scholarships are awarded through a competitive, merit-based process.
Applications funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs are available for all fields of study. Applicants must choose their major academic discipline and primary specialization from a dropdown list in the application form. As per the February 2024 bilateral Memorandum of Understanding on the Fulbright Academic Exchange Program, certain study programs will be considered for scholarships funded by the Government of Albania (GoA).
Applicants interested in clinical fields such as medicine or veterinary medicine should note that direct patient care is not allowed under J-1 visa regulations, which may limit academic coursework and activities at U.S. institutions.
The scholarship covers one or two academic years at a U.S. university, contingent on costs and funding availability. Recipients must return to Albania for at least two years after completing their fellowship, with family members possibly accompanying them on a case-by-case basis.
Eligibility criteria exclude U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, immediate family members of specific embassy or government staff, recent Fulbright grant recipients within five years, students currently studying in the U.S., individuals employed there, those married to American citizens, applicants for immigration or asylum seekers.
Financial support includes tuition fees, monthly maintenance allowance, book and supplies allowance, computer subsidy, round-trip international travel to host institutions (and English-language training if needed), domestic travel to Washington D.C., plus supplementary funds for professional activities like field trips or conferences.
Applications must be submitted online via https://apply.iie.org/ffsp2026 by June 30, 2025. Required documents need to be uploaded online; submissions after this date or via Google Docs or We Transfer will not be accepted.
For further details contact: Public Affairs Office at U.S. Embassy Tirana via CultureandEducationTirana@state.gov