The Fulbright Joint-Supervision program (JS) 2026

The Fulbright Joint-Supervision (JS) Program empowers Moroccan doctoral candidates to advance their research and strengthen global academic partnerships by conducting part of their Ph.D. studies at leading US universities under the co-supervision of an American professor. By fostering joint mentorship between Moroccan and American faculty, the program not only enhances research quality but also deepens mutual understanding and long-term collaboration between the two nations.

Each participant spends up to 12 months in the US engaging in advanced research activity, which includes laboratory work, field research, attending international conferences, and auditing graduate-level courses. When the participants return to Morocco and ultimately defend their research, their American co-supervisor is invited to attend their defense. This visit also promotes cross-university collaboration and is often a catalyst for additional academic partnership opportunities.

Program Reach

Since its establishment in 1990, the Fulbright Joint-Supervision Program has awarded grants to over 260 Moroccan doctoral scholars from across the country. Each year, 12 to 16 exceptional candidates are selected from diverse academic backgrounds, including STEM, social sciences, public health, agriculture, AI and cybersecurity, and environmental studies.

The program’s reach has a national scope, extending to universities in every region of Morocco and spans disciplines.

Host Institutions

Participants are placed at top American universities and research centers that provide world-class mentorship and access to cutting-edge resources, such as Harvard University and Cornell University.

For the 2025-2026 academic year, 15 Joint-Supervision grantees have been placed at prestigious U.S. universities, providing Moroccan scholars with opportunities to conduct high-level research alongside leading American experts.

These universities include:

Fayetteville State University, New Mexico State University, Oregon Health & Science University, Cornell University, Arizona State University, Scripps Research, Princeton University, University of Kansas, University of California, Berkeley, Saint Louis University, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Texas Tech University, New York University, Salisbury University, and Rutgers University-Newark.

Additionally, scholars this year come from various Moroccan institutions including University Mohammed VI Polytechnic, Mohammed V University of Rabat, Ibn Zohr University, Moulay Ismail University, Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, and the Mohammedia School of Engineers, among others.

Application Process

The program is highly competitive. Candidates must be enrolled in a Moroccan doctoral program, have completed at least one year of study, and secure the commitment of both a Moroccan and an American supervisor. Selection is based on academic merit, the strength of the research proposal, and the potential for the project to contribute to Morocco’s national development priorities and strengthen U.S. and Morocco academic collaboration.

Finances

The Fulbright Joint-Supervision Program is fully funded by MACECE, with support from the US and Moroccan governments. The grant covers participant travel, living expenses, health insurance, and research-related costs during their stay in the United States.

Monitoring & Evaluation

The Commission maintains close contact with all Joint-Supervision scholars during their stay in the United States and upon their return to Morocco. Participants are required to submit monthly progress reports summarizing their research achievements and contributions. Alumni often continue to collaborate with their U.S. supervisors, publish joint research, and mentor new generations of Moroccan researchers.

Impact

Through its more than three decades of success, the Fulbright Joint-Supervision Program has played a crucial role in strengthening Morocco’s research and innovation ecosystem. Through this experience, participants enhance the quality of their dissertations, develop international academic networks, gain access to world class research labs and resources, increase their publications in international journals, and hone skills that support tech transfer and contribute to Morocco’s growing R&D. Most of the program alumni have gone on to hold faculty positions at Moroccan universities, lead national research initiatives, and contribute to policy and institutional development.

Fulbright Program 2026-2027

The Moroccan-American Commission for Educational and Cultural Exchanges grants research scholarships to Moroccan doctoral candidates to pursue one or two years of study and research in the United States of America.

Program Benefits

• Living allowance not exceeding 12 months, divided into 2 periods if necessary
• Allowance of up to $1000 for the purchase of books and materials
• Allowance of up to $1000 for the purchase or rental of necessary equipment
• One or two round-trip journeys between Morocco and the United States of America
• Medical insurance

Application Conditions

• Two letters evaluating and supporting your thesis proposal; one from your supervisor in Morocco, the other from the American co-supervisor
• Applications without the commitment and authorization of the Moroccan and American professors will not be accepted
• Thesis project with bibliography
• Respect of the required linguistic conditions

Application submission deadline December 15, 2025

N.B. The application form as well as the documents required for this Program are available on the website of the Moroccan-American Commission for Educational and Cultural Exchanges: https://macece.ma/program/fulbright-joint-supervision-program/

Read Also: Register for DESTINATION CANADA EDUCATION 2025

For more information, please:

• Consult the application guide in the appendix
• Send your questions by e-mail to the following address: [email protected]