PROGRAMME SUMMARY
In November 2017, the FNR signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Commission for Educational Exchange between the United States, Belgium and Luxembourg (Fulbright Commission). The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange programme of the U.S. Department of State promoting international exchange between the United States and over 160 countries worldwide. It fosters and promotes academic excellence and cross-cultural exchange.
Through this MoU, the two organisations will co-fund grants for research visits of Luxembourgish pre-doctoral (PhD students), post-doctoral and senior researchers at US academic institutions within the framework of the prestigious Fulbright Awards programme.
Benefits include a monthly stipend, a one-time travel stipend, sickness and accident benefits, J-1 visa sponsorship, pre-departure orientation and in-country programming (e.g., Gateway Orientations, Fulbright Enrichment Seminars), membership in active Fulbright alumni networks, etc.
The Fulbright Award competition for Luxembourg is held annually by the Commission for Educational Exchange between the United States, Belgium and Luxembourg (Fulbright Commission). It administers several prestigious Fulbright scholarship programmes for Luxembourg citizens. This includes grants for research visits of pre-doctoral, post-doctoral and senior researchers (visiting scholars) at US academic institutions, which are now co-funded by the FNR.
DURATION
Research visits must be between 3 and 9 months and are possible in all potential areas of scientific research.
For the 2025-2026 academic year, all departures must take place between mid-August, 2025 and 31 March, 2026.
APPLICATION INFORMATION
Eligible applicants must complete an online application available via links on the Fulbright Commission’s website, which also contains further details about the Fulbright programme, application and selection procedure, and benefits. After submission, please be aware that the application must also be submitted to the FNR’s online grant management system.
Direct link for application for pre-doctoral grants
Direct link for application for post-doctoral grants (including senior researcher grants)
All applicants to the Fulbright Program for Luxembourg must be Luxembourgish citizens and have proficiency in English. (Non-Luxembourg nationals are invited to consult the Fulbright Commission’s websites for opportunities that may exist for their country).
For the 2022-2023 academic year, all departures must take place between 15 August, 2022 and 31 March, 2023.
Pre-doctoral grants (for applicants pursuing PhD):
- Applicants who intend a research visit to the U.S. during their PhD (i.e. pre-doctoral grants) are placed in the “Student” category (Grants for Graduate Study and Pre-doctoral Research)
- They must have Luxembourgish citizenship
- They must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and be enrolled in a doctoral training programme at a degree-awarding institution in Luxembourg or abroad.
- They must demonstrate academic excellence, which is generally defined as distinction in each year of study or a grand distinction in the most recent year of study; candidates without these grades are still encouraged to apply if they have outstanding personal or professional backgrounds.
- They are required to remain in the US for a minimum of 4 months.
- Additional eligibility criteria apply, please check the corresponding website of the Fulbright Commission for details.
- Note: Students who plan a research visit to the US as part of their Master’s degree may still apply to the Fulbright Commission, but will not be co-funded by the FNR.
Post-doctoral and Visiting Scholar grants (for applicants with a PhD):
- Two type of grants are available for applicants with a PhD, both of which are placed in the “Visiting Scholar Research” category by the Fulbright Commission but have different eligibility criteria for FNR co-funding:
- Post-doctoral grants: for Luxembourgish citizens who hold a PhD (at the latest at their time of departure to the US) and apply up to two calendar years after receiving their PhD. They must be employed at an eligible research institution in Luxembourg (see FNR page ‘FNR Beneficiaries‘ for details of eligible institutions) or at a research institution abroad. They may plan a research visit for a minimum of 3 months and maximum 9 months.
- Visiting Scholar Grants: for Luxembourgish citizens with a PhD who have significant work experience (senior researchers) and are employed at an eligible research institution in Luxembourg before, during and after their intended research stay in the US (see FNR page ‘FNR Beneficiaries‘ for details of eligible institutions). They too may plan a research visit between 3 and 9 months. Note: Luxembourgish citizens employed as senior researchers abroad are not eligible for FNR co-funded Fulbright grants.
- Additional eligibility criteria apply, please check the corresponding website of the Fulbright Commission for details.