The Fulbright Chile Lithium Award is a new study/research grant within the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, run by the U.S. Department of State with Fulbright Chile.
Grantees spend nine months in Chile researching lithium systems, salt flats (salars) and related science and technology, affiliated with the National Institute for Lithium and Salars (INLiSa).
Benefits & funding
- Monthly stipend of about US$1,370 (estimated, subject to change)
- US$2,000 one-time allowance for round-trip economy airfare
- Health benefits and 24/7 mental health support
- Affiliation fees and tuition are not covered; grantees find their own housing
- 9 months from a March start; five awards
Eligibility
- U.S. citizens or nationals by the deadline; permanent residents are not eligible; dual Chilean citizens may apply
- A bachelor’s degree conferred before the grant starts (graduating seniors qualify); current or soon-to-be PhD holders are barred
- Master’s and doctoral candidates doing thesis or dissertation research are prioritized; seniors and recent graduates may be considered with a project that includes audited coursework
- Areas especially welcome include hydrogeology, geosciences, environmental sciences, remote sensing, chemical processes, electrochemistry, materials science, energy systems
- No residence in Chile in the 12 months before the grant; no one who has lived abroad 5 of the last 6 years
- Spanish: helpful for fieldwork but not required; a language evaluation is recommended, ideally at intermediate level by the grant start
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
“Applicants who currently hold or will hold a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) by the national application deadline. … Anyone who has resided abroad for five or more years in the six-year period preceding the national application deadline. … Applicants holding only a bachelor’s degree must demonstrate relevant professional or research experience if not currently enrolled in graduate study. … Residency in host country NOT permitted in year prior to grant” Eligibility
Eligible nationalities
USA
Education required
Bachelor Enrolled · Bachelor
Circlebreaker is a free database of global fellowships, scholarships and programs — every one decoded like this.
We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Get a formal letter of affiliation or invitation from a designated INLiSa contact before applying.
- 2Submit the Fulbright online application (Statement of Grant Purpose and other components) via your campus adviser or as an at-large applicant by the national deadline.
Program timeline
6 Oct 2026
2027–28 deadline (closed)
Recommended / not-recommended notice
End of Jan 2027
Final selections, released on a rolling basis
Spring 2027
Grant starts
March 2028
Next competition launches
Spring 2027