The Fulbright African Research Scholar Program (ARSP), funded by the U.S. State Department, will soon offer new opportunities for faculty members from universities or research institutes in Senegal. The program, also known as the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program, provides two types of scholarships: the Senior Scholar segment and the Professional Development segment for the academic year 2026-2027.
The ARSP provides two categories of grants for research and for program and curriculum development.
Research grants offer three to nine-month opportunities for professors from Senegalese universities or professionals from research institutes to conduct research in any academic discipline at an American university or research facility. This is set to begin as early as August 2026 and no later than March 2027. Applicants need to possess a doctorate or an equivalent terminal degree in their field at the time of application, with a preference for those having at least three years of teaching experience and a productive academic record.
Development grants target program and curriculum development for university faculty or administrators. These grants offer three to five-month experiences in the U.S. starting between August 2026 and March 2027, focusing on research projects closely related to the applicant's professional duties. This initiative encourages the development of new courses and academic programs upon the faculty member's return to their home institution. It is suitable for those who may have less experience and have not accessed recent research or teaching developments. While a doctorate is not required, candidates must hold a master's degree or equivalent by the time of application.
Eligibility for the ARSP is open to researchers from all disciplines without gender or age restrictions. However, clinical medical research involving patient contact is not eligible for Fulbright funding.
Applicants for the research grants must possess a doctorate or an equivalent terminal degree. Preference is for those with a minimum of three years of university teaching experience and a solid academic track record. Candidates with only a master's degree or equivalent are eligible exclusively for the program development category. Proposals for doctoral thesis research, immediate postdoctoral research, or general professional travel are not eligible.
Applicants who have never received a Fulbright scholarship before and those with little to no experience in the U.S. will be given preference. Proficiency in English adequate to complete their research projects and effectively collaborate with peers is paramount. The Public Diplomacy Section of the Embassy will evaluate English proficiency through a local English test and interviews.
Health is another critical requirement; successful candidates will need to provide a medical examination and history report. In past competitions, candidates who were not successful are encouraged to apply again, refining their proposals and updating submissions.
Attention is called to the policy on plagiarism; applicants must adhere to the highest academic standards for original research, writing, and citation. Applications will undergo plagiarism checks, with violations leading to disqualification.
Applications need to include three letters of recommendation. Proposals less than a page will not be considered. Additionally, applicants must specify whether they are applying for research or development grants. The Institute for International Education (IIE) will categorize unallocated applicants appropriately. Although not mandatory, letters of invitation from a U.S. institution are strongly recommended. It is, however, noted that laboratory fees are not covered by ARSP, and applicants should seek potential American sponsors for such costs.
For application submission, visit https://apply.iie.org/fvsp2026. The deadline for applications is Friday, April 25, 2025. For further inquiries about the program, contact DakarUSAExchanges@state.gov.