CFAs: Fulbright African Research Scholar Program (Namibia)

Deadline: 15-Mar-2026

The U.S. Embassy in Namibia invites faculty from Namibian universities to apply for the 2027 Fulbright African Research Scholar Program, offering Research Grants or Program and Curriculum Development Grants for 3–9 months of study in the United States. Priority fields include energy, mining, space sciences, AI, cybersecurity, STEM, education, public health, agriculture, and natural resource management, with funding covering travel, tuition, accommodation, and living stipends.

About the Program

The Fulbright African Research Scholar Program enables Namibian university faculty to advance research, curriculum development, and professional collaboration in the United States. The program fosters international academic exchange, promotes innovation, and strengthens university research capacity in Namibia.

Grant Categories

1. Research Grants

   • Support faculty conducting independent or collaborative research at U.S. institutions

   • Duration: 3–9 months

   • Preference given to applicants with three or more years of university teaching experience and a strong scholarly record

2. Program and Curriculum Development Grants

   • Enable faculty to develop new courses, curricula, or academic programs

   • Duration: 3–9 months

   • Focus on innovation in teaching and educational policy

Priority Research Areas

• Energy and petroleum studies

• Mining and mineral studies

• Space sciences and related fields

• Artificial intelligence and cybersecurity

• Natural resource and marine resource management

• Law, with emphasis on land issues

• Business, agriculture, technology, and natural resources

• STEM fields

• Education and education policy

• Health care and public health (excluding patient-contact courses such as medicine, nursing, dentistry)

• Public administration

• Agriculture

Outstanding proposals in other fields may also be considered. Clinical research involving patient contact is not eligible, and potential laboratory fees are the responsibility of the applicant.

Funding and Support

The program provides financial coverage for:

• Travel to and from the United States

• Tuition and program fees

• Accommodation and living stipends

• Approved research-related expenses

The program does not cover personal expenses unrelated to program participation. Applicants are responsible for securing leave from their home institution during the program period.

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be a Namibian citizen with a valid Namibian passport

• Demonstrate strong English language proficiency

• Preference for applicants who have not visited the U.S. in the past five years

• Research applicants should have at least three years of university teaching experience and a productive scholarly record

• Ineligible applications include: doctoral dissertation research, postdoctoral research immediately following a doctorate, or general professional travel

Application Process

1. Prepare a research or curriculum development proposal aligned with priority areas

2. Ensure compliance with eligibility requirements and program rules

3. Submit a complete application before 15 March 2026

4. Only successful candidates will be contacted

FAQ

1. Who can apply? Faculty members at Namibian universities who meet citizenship, English proficiency, and teaching experience requirements.
2. What are the grant durations? 3–9 months in the United States.
3. Which fields receive priority? Energy, mining, space sciences, AI, cybersecurity, STEM, education, public health, agriculture, law, business, and natural resource management.
4. Are clinical medical research projects eligible? No, patient-contact research such as medicine, nursing, or dentistry is not covered.
5. What expenses are funded? Travel, tuition, accommodation, living stipends, and approved research costs. Personal expenses are not covered.
6. Can applicants who recently visited the U.S. apply? Preference is given to those who have not visited in the past five years.
7. Are doctoral or postdoctoral research projects eligible? No, these types of projects are excluded.

Conclusion

The 2027 Fulbright African Research Scholar Program offers Namibian faculty a transformative opportunity to advance research, develop curricula, and build global academic collaborations in priority areas. With comprehensive funding for approved program-related expenses, participants can contribute to knowledge exchange and strengthen Namibia’s higher education and research capacity.

For more information, visit U.S. Embassy in Namibia.