The Fulbright African Research Scholar Program 2025 (Burkina Faso)

This is a program for faculty at Sub-Saharan African universities and for scholars at Sub Saharan African research centers, museums, or other cultural institutions to conduct three to nine months of research at an academic or research institution in the U.S. Funding is provided by the Government of the United States of America through the U.S. Department of State.

Types of Grants

• There are two types of ARSP grants:
  • Senior Research Scholar grants for persons who already have a doctoral degree and who wish to conduct post-doctoral research (these grants are for 3-9 months of research in the U.S.);
  • Professional Development Scholar grants for persons with less experience than senior researchers who wish to conduct a program of reading and research (these grants are for 3-5 months of research in the U.S.).

Eligibility Criteria

• Only persons who meet the following minimum requirements can apply through the American embassy in Ouagadougou:
  • Citizens of Burkina Faso.
  • Persons who have the endorsement of their home institution.
  • Persons who have a good command of both written and spoken English.
  • For Senior Research Scholar grants, persons who already have a doctoral (PH. D) degree; and
  • For Professional Development Scholar grants, persons who already have at least the equivalent of a U.S. Masters (MA) degree (e.g., at least five years of full time University study.

Ineligibility Criteria

• The following are examples of persons who are not eligible for this program:
  • Persons who want to do doctoral dissertation research or postdoctoral research immediately following completion of a doctoral degree.
  • Person who wants to travel to and have consultations at multiple institutions in the U.S.; and
  • Persons who want to do medical research involving clinical training, patient care, or patient contact.

Selection Criteria

• People who have the following characteristics are the most competitive applicants and therefore the ones most likely to be selected:
  • Persons who are complying with Burkina Faso Development Goals “Référentiel National de Développement (RND)” the Strategy for Accelerated Growth for Sustainable Development.
  • Persons who have at least three years of university teaching experience and a productive scholarly record; (for the Senior Research Scholar)
  • For Senior Research Scholar grants, persons who already have doctoral degrees or, if they do not have a doctoral degree, who are experienced university lecturers or researchers who have strong letters of reference and compelling letters of invitation from potential host colleagues or institutions in the U.S.
  • For Professional Development Scholar grants, persons who wish to focus upon updating their scholarly knowledge to improve classroom instruction and to contribute to the development of programs or curricula at their home institutions.
  • Persons whose proposals relate directly to their ongoing teaching and/or research experience and responsibilities or to professional duties such as classroom instruction, advising students, administration, or outreach projects for teachers or other professionals; and
  • Persons who have no previous experience or only limited experience in the U.S.

For more information, visit U.S. Embassy in Burkina Faso.