Fulbright Program Spain - Ruth Lee Kennedy Travel Bursaries

Ruth Lee Kennedy Travel Bursaries

You will receive a travel grant of approximately 4,600 EUR (5,000 USD) for a research stay of between 3 and 12 months at a US university or research centre. You will also receive health and accident insurance, as well as the other benefits that Fulbright offers its scholarship holders. Each year, two scholarships are awarded jointly by the Instituto Internacional en España and the Fulbright Commission in Spain. The scholarship is named after Ruth Lee Kennedy, an American scholar specialising in the theatre of Spain’s Golden Age, who bequeathed the funds for it. Please note that this covers only part of your travel expenses and is not a full scholarship.

Who can apply

• Nationality: You are a Spanish national. You are not eligible to apply if you already live in the US, hold US citizenship or are automatically entitled to it by virtue of your birth or descent.
• Degree: You obtained your PhD from a Spanish university in June 2017, i.e. before the application deadline. Maternity leave extends this deadline by 12 months per child.
• Field of study: Any topic is welcome. An additional form is required for projects involving direct contact with patients in the USA.
• English: You must provide evidence of your English language proficiency by means of a test taken after 5 November 2021: TOEFL iBT 94 or higher, IELTS Academic 6.5 or higher, or Duolingo 115 or higher.
• Gender: Both women and men are welcome to apply, but preference will be given to women.
• First-time in the USA: Preference will be given to applicants who have never previously studied or conducted research in the USA.
• No repeat: You cannot apply if you have already received a Ruth Lee Kennedy scholarship.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted via the online form on the Fulbright Spain website by 9 January. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview with the selection committee at the end of February. This will take place in Madrid or online, will be conducted in Spanish and English, and is compulsory. The final decision will be made in March.

How realistic are your chances?

Only two scholarships will be awarded, so competition remains fierce despite the narrow target group. The requirements are strict: a Spanish doctoral degree obtained since 2017, a very good command of English, and priority will be given to women and to those who have not yet worked in the USA. If you clearly meet this profile and submit a sound research project with a plan for its implementation in Spain, your chances are realistic.