USA Scholarships
Partial Funding PhD Fellowship the USA

AIBS Junior Fellowship 2027 - $1,150 per Month

Deadline Jan 15, 2027 (expected; confirm on aibs.net) 116 days left · Hosted by American Institute of Bangladesh Studies (AIBS) · Published

The AIBS Junior Fellowship supports US doctoral students who need time in Bangladesh to collect data or write up dissertation research. The American Institute of Bangladesh Studies, a consortium of American universities, administers the award with funding tied to US Department of State overseas research programmes. Junior fellows receive about $1,150 per month for stays of two to twelve consecutive months, plus economy round-trip airfare that must comply with the Fly America Act and traveler''s insurance arranged through AIBS. You must be a US citizen enrolled at a US academic institution, an individual AIBS member, all-but-dissertation before travel, and in the data collection or writing stage of the dissertation. Permanent residents are not eligible under current grant rules. The annual competition typically opens in early November and closes mid-January; for the 2027 cycle, plan on a January 15, 2027 deadline unless AIBS posts different dates.

Monthly stipend
$1,150/mo
Dissertation stage
PhD candidacy
Expected deadline
Jan 15, 2027
Bangladesh research
US citizens
How to apply Am I eligible? Official website

What is the AIBS Junior Fellowship?

The AIBS Junior Fellowship exists for one narrow but important moment in a PhD: when your dissertation finally needs Bangladesh, not just Bangladesh on paper. The American Institute of Bangladesh Studies is a consortium of US universities that channels federal support for research on the country. Junior awards go to doctoral candidates who are far enough along to travel or write in earnest, not students still clearing coursework.

The package is modest but practical. Expect about $1,150 per month for a stay of two to twelve months, booked as one continuous block. AIBS also arranges Fly America Act compliant economy airfare and traveler''s insurance. What it will not do is pay your tuition back home or fund a partner or children to join you. Under current rules the money is for US citizens only; permanent residents are out, which frustrates people every year but reflects the grant terms AIBS inherits.

The paperwork gatekeepers matter. You need individual AIBS membership, three solid references, and a proposal that makes clear why the work has to happen in Bangladesh now. Security policy for travel can shift, and AIBS publishes updated guidance you should read before you promise specific villages, archives, or interview schedules. Applications historically open in November and close mid-January; for 2027, January 15 is the date to circle until the institute posts the live portal. Email [email protected] if your timeline is tight or your affiliation letters are slow.

If your dissertation already lives in history, public health, anthropology, or environmental science tied to Bangladesh, this fellowship is built for you. If you only need a generic overseas research top-up with no Bangladesh angle, look elsewhere. AIBS funds the country, not travel for its own sake.

Who can apply

Eligibility

Your progress 0 / 7
  • ✓
    US citizenship
    Junior fellowships are currently restricted to US citizens because of grant funding rules. US permanent residents cannot apply. Check aibs.net before you start, since policy language can change with each federal award cycle.
  • ✓
    Enrolled at a US academic institution
    You must be enrolled or employed at a US university while you apply. Independent scholars follow the general US-citizen fellowship rules on the AIBS site, but junior awards are built for doctoral students on US campuses.
  • ✓
    Individual AIBS membership
    You must join AIBS as an individual member before or during the application. Faculty at member institutions do not pay an application fee for senior awards, but junior applicants still need their own membership.
  • ✓
    All-but-dissertation before travel
    You must have passed PhD qualifying exams and entered candidacy before the fellowship begins. You may apply earlier, but you cannot start the award until you are ABD.
  • ✓
    Dissertation data or writing stage
    The fellowship expects you to be collecting field data in Bangladesh or finishing dissertation writing tied to Bangladesh research, not still taking coursework.
  • ✓
    Research focused on Bangladesh
    Proposals must center on Bangladesh across any academic discipline. Stays run at least two consecutive months and at most twelve, and you cannot split one award across separate summers.
  • ✓
    Willingness to follow travel advisories
    All travel must comply with State Department guidance and AIBS security policies for Bangladesh. You may need a backup plan if advisories shift before you depart.
What you get

Benefits

  • Monthly stipend About $1,150
  • Minimum stay 2 consecutive months
  • Maximum stay Up to 12 months
  • Economy round-trip airfare Fly America Act compliant
  • Traveler's insurance Arranged through AIBS
  • Full tuition at home institution Not covered
  • Dependent or family travel Not covered
  • Disciplines eligible All academic fields
  • Bangladesh fieldwork or writing Required focus
  • AIBS travel booking help Provided
  • Split summers on one award Not allowed
  • Research outside Bangladesh only Not eligible
What to prepare

Document checklist

Documents gathered 0 / 7
  • ✓
    Online application through CAORC portal
    Junior applications run through the CAORC and ORC grant portal linked from aibs.net. Complete every section before the posted deadline.
  • ✓
    Research proposal
    A clear plan for dissertation work in Bangladesh, including timeline, sites, languages, and affiliations with local institutions or scholars.
  • ✓
    Curriculum vitae
    Education, publications, language skills, and prior field experience relevant to Bangladesh.
  • ✓
    Three letters of recommendation
    Referees who know your dissertation project and can speak to your readiness for overseas research.
  • ✓
    Proof of AIBS individual membership
    Membership information is available on aibs.net. Confirm your status before submitting.
  • ✓
    Institutional affiliation letters
    Letters from your home department and, where required, Bangladesh host institutions supporting your field plan.
  • ✓
    Travel and security plan
    Follow the latest AIBS travel policy for Bangladesh, including any secondary country plan if advisories change.
Step by step

How to apply

Security guidance for Bangladesh changes. Start on aibs.net and read the travel policy linked from the fellowships page before you draft a proposal.
Junior applicants must be individual members. Handle membership early so it does not block submission on deadline day.
Only US citizens qualify for junior awards under current funding. You must reach candidacy before the fellowship starts, even if you apply while still finishing exams.
Explain what you will do in country, how long you need, and which archives, communities, or institutions you will work with. Tie every section to Bangladesh.
Choose advisors and scholars who can speak to your language preparation, field methods, and dissertation timeline.
Applications typically open in early November and close mid-January. For 2027, expect a January 15 deadline unless AIBS announces otherwise.
A four-month award must run in one block, not two summers of two months. Build your academic calendar around that rule before you propose dates.
When

Deadline and timeline

Application deadline
Jan 15, 2027 (expected; confirm on aibs.net)
116 days left
Nov 2026
Application window expected to open, following the November-to-January pattern used in recent cycles.
Jan 15, 2027
Expected application deadline at 11:59 p.m. Eastern unless AIBS posts new dates for the 2027 competition.
Spring 2027
Review and selection. Contact [email protected] or +1 812-929-2149 with questions.
May 2027 onward
Earliest fellowship start dates have begun as soon as May 1 in recent cycles, depending on award letter timing.
During award
Consecutive field or writing months in Bangladesh, with airfare booked to Fly America Act rules.
Sep 30, 2028
Recent cycles require all fellowship travel to finish by September 30 of the final authorized year. Confirm the end date in your award letter.
Questions

FAQ

What is the AIBS Junior Fellowship?

It is a research grant from the American Institute of Bangladesh Studies for US doctoral students who need time in Bangladesh for dissertation data collection or writing. Junior awards target candidates who are all-but-dissertation and already focused on Bangladesh in their research.

How much does the AIBS Junior Fellowship pay?

AIBS lists junior stipends at about $1,150 per month for awards lasting two to twelve consecutive months. The grant also covers economy round-trip airfare compliant with the Fly America Act and traveler's insurance.

Who is eligible for the AIBS Junior Fellowship?

US citizens enrolled at US universities who are individual AIBS members, have entered PhD candidacy, and are in the data or writing stage of a Bangladesh-related dissertation. Permanent residents are not eligible under current funding restrictions.

When is the AIBS Junior Fellowship 2027 deadline?

AIBS has not posted 2027 dates yet. Recent competitions opened in early November and closed January 15 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. Treat January 15, 2027 as a planning target and confirm on aibs.net when the portal opens.

Can I split an AIBS Junior Fellowship across two summers?

No. Fellowships must run in one consecutive period. A four-month award cannot be two separate two-month trips.

Does AIBS Junior Fellowship funding cover family travel?

The published package covers the fellow's stipend, insurance, and economy airfare. Dependent travel and living costs beyond the monthly stipend are your responsibility.

Do I need to speak Bengali for an AIBS Junior Fellowship?

Language needs depend on your project. AIBS does not publish a single language test requirement, but your proposal should show how you will work in Bangladesh, including interpreters, collaborators, or language skills where needed.

How do I apply for the AIBS Junior Fellowship?

Apply online through the CAORC and ORC grant portal linked from aibs.net when the competition opens. You will need a research proposal, CV, three references, proof of AIBS membership, and affiliation materials as listed in the live application.

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