What happens after I receive the letter from the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board notifying me of my selection as a Fulbright grantee?

The Commission will send you a congratulation letter containing instructions on how to proceed with the documents enclosed therewith: Terms and Conditions and Grant Authorization. You have to sign and send a copy of those documents to the Department of State, the Council of International Exchange of Scholars and the Fulbright Commission. Your selection is contingent upon Medical clearance.

How do I get medical clearance?

CIES will provide you with a Medical Certificate that must be completed by your physician and submitted to CIES. Dependants also need toobtain medical clearance. Refer to CIES for more instructions.

Are there any restrictions regarding when I can begin my project?

We encourage scholars to come in early March or at any time between March and November (length of the Uruguayan academic year). We dissuade scholars from arriving in December, January or February for during these months all private and public universities, as well as most public and private institutions, are closed.

Do I need to make arrangements for an extended visa or “research clearance” before my departure? 

American citizens do NOT require a VISA or special documentation to enter Uruguay. When you arrive in the country, you will be cleared automatically for a stay of 90 days. At the end of each 90-day period in Uruguay, you will need simply to request an extension (which carries a fee of between $15 and $20) from the Dirección Nacional de Migraciones.

If you travel to one of the neighboring countries, you will be cleared automatically upon reentering Uruguay. You should notify the Commission and the host institution (if applicable) in advance of the dates of any visit to another country during the period of stay in Uruguay.

How and when will my travel arrangements to Uruguay be made?

Before the Commission makes any travel arrangement, you should have received Medical Clearance. Once you have obtained medical clearance and your plans are definite, you need only to inform the Commission of the date on which you would like to arrive in Uruguay. The Fulbright Commission will book all of your flights to and from Uruguay with a private travel agency, and payment will be made directly by the Commission on your behalf. You will then receive confirmation of your travel request, and your ticket will arrive to your U.S. address within a week or so.

What sort of preparations should I make for the Uruguayan climate?

If you plan to be in Uruguay between the months of December and February, be sure to pack light-weight clothing, as summertime temperatures often climb well above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and most buildings and busses are not air conditioned.  On the other hand, you should also make preparations to avoid being caught off guard by the cooler temperatures of fall and winter!  Although snow and frost are extremely uncommon in Uruguay, cooling ocean currents and persistent sea breezes can necessitate long sleeves or a jacket even in summertime evenings; and if you plan to be here during the coldest months of June, July, and August, sweaters, scarves, and a heavier coat will be indispensable!

Will I need to bring or purchase voltage converters for all my appliances?

Yes. All Uruguayan outlets run on a 220 Volt current, so your U.S. appliances will not function without voltage converters.  These types of converters are widely available for purchase in Uruguay, but converters purchased in the U.S. are likely to be less expensive and more compatible with your appliances.  This is especially the case with converters for such electronic devices as CD players and computer equipment.  You need NOT worry about obtaining simple plug adapters before you leave; these are inexpensive and available at any hardware store. 

What kind of computer access will be available to me as a Fulbright Fellow?

You may be able to arrange limited access to computing technologies at your host university, depending on the nature and extent of your affiliation. As an alternative to university facilities, there are now several commercial internet café’s in the downtown area of Montevideo.  If you need frequent email and/or internet access, however, you should seriously consider bringing your own computer equipment with you to Uruguay.

If I do bring my computer, will I be able to find a good Internet Service Provider in Uruguay?

Yes, commercial ISP’s are abundant in Uruguay, and offer a variety of service plans. The Commission will provide you with contact information for internet firms when you arrive in Uruguay.

What sort of arrangements will be made for my first few nights in Montevideo?

The Fulbright Commission will reserve a room for you at one of several mid-priced hotels.  Your hotel’s name, address, and contact numbers will reach you in the U.S. (by mail or e-mail) well before your departure.  Hotel costs will be covered by your relocation allowance (see the “Finances” section for more information).

Will I need to arrange for my own transportation from the airport to my hotel?

No.  The Fulbright Commission will send a driver to meet you at the international airport in Carrasco and convey you to your hotel. 

When can I make my first visit to the Commission?

We will be eager to meet you and begin assisting with your adjustment on the day of your arrival, or as soon as you feel sufficiently recovered from your journey.  

What kinds of housing do Fulbright Fellows usually find in Uruguay?

U.S. Fulbright Scholars to Uruguay customarily rent an apartment according to their needs and, if being accompanied by dependents, according to their needs as well.

Some Scholars do prefer however to stay at an apart hotel in order to avoid the real estate's fee, the deposit required by the apartment's owner and the building expenses.

And how will I go about finding an apartment?

When you arrive in Uruguay, the Fulbright Commission will place you in contact with one of several private real estate agents, who will assist you in finding the apartment arrangements best suited to your preferences and needs.  You will also receive more information on the rental process, apartment upkeep/administration, and other housing-related issues.  The Commission staff will be happy to assist you with any questions or concerns at any point in your apartment search.

Landlords usually ask tenants for a one to three-month deposit as an insurance against possible breakage, etc. If at that time the Commission has funds as its disposal, we will be willing to advance that amount and deduct it accordingly from your future monthly payments.

What are my grant benefits?

International Travel: You will receive round-trip transportation from your home to Uruguay

Basic Monthly Stipend

Monthly Housing and Subsistence Allowance: designed to cover the cost of renting an apartment, food and incidentals

Relocation Allowance: this is a one-time cash payment, included in your first stipend check.  This is designed to cover expenses incurred during your first few days/weeks in Uruguay, including hotel lodgings, real estate commissions, initial acquisitions for your household, etc.

Book Allowance: This allowance may be used for such items as books, journals, office supplies (not including furniture), educational materials (e.g., maps, tapes, slides, photographs), computer equipment, secretarial services, limited publishing costs, and local travel essential to the project. Nonexpendable items purchased by the grantee with such allowances should remain with the host institution upon completion of the project, unless it is determined by the Commission or post that such items are essential to the grantee for completion of the project after the grant has expired.

You should keep all invoices/receipts and bring them to the Commission at least one week before departure so that you can be reimbursed for such expenses.

Actual figures are described in your Grant Documents.

Are my dependents entitled to grant benefits?

Yes if that is the case of a spouse or a child that is financially dependent on you and who will spend at least 80% of the grant period with you. Please check with the Commission to see what these benefits include and what they do not.

Public Schools are free. If you want your children to attend English speaking classes at a private institution, the Fulbright Commission will help you find a school.

How and when will I receive my stipend money?

You will receive your first stipend check immediately upon arrival in Uruguay, and then on the first day of each subsequent one-month period according to a payment schedule prepared by the Commission.  Your checks will be written to you in U.S. dollars, but can be cashed in pesos, dollars, or any combination thereof.

Will I be able to open a bank account in Uruguay?

Yes, The Fulbright Commission will help you to open a bank account from where you will be able to withdraw funds using an ATM card.

Is my Fulbright Scholarship subject to U.S. income taxes?

Does the Fulbright Program provide me with medical insurance while I am in Uruguay?

Yes!  As a U.S. Fulbright Fellow, you are covered for the entirety of your stay under the United States Department of State Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE).  This medical insurance policy is provided to you at no cost, and covers your basic medical expenses (including routine doctor visits and prescription drugs) up to a maximum of $50,000 per injury or sickness, with a per-case deductible of $25. When you arrive, you will receive an ASPE identification card, claim forms, and a full description of program benefits.  You are responsible for securing additional/supplemental insurance policies, based on the limitations and restrictions of coverage under the ASPE.  Should you have more specific questions regarding your coverage under this policy, please refer to the “U.S. Fulbright Fellows Orientation Handbook”

Does the Fulbright Program provide my dependents with medical insurance while they are in Uruguay?

No, it does not. You should provide medical insurance for accompanying dependents at your own expense.

Where will I receive medical attention?

How and with what frequency should I keep in contact with Fulbright program administration during my project?

The Fulbright Commission and the Council of International Exchange of Scholars requires you to submit Final report before leaving Uruguay. This can be completed on-line.

Also, the Fulbright Commission will ask your Host Institution to submit a report on your academic activities.

If you would like to begin exploring certain aspects of Uruguayan life or society before you depart, the following online resources might give you a good start. Please let us know if you find good additions to this list. 

• The U.S. Library of Congress server contains one of the best English-language overviews of Uruguayan history, politics, economics, culture (etc.). Entitled "Uruguay-A Country Study," it can be found at: http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/uytoc.html
   

• You can find a slightly more abbreviated English-language overview of this type, in addition to several important statistical break-downs, in the CIA's online World Factbook, at: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/uy.html

Spanish-language electronic resources on Uruguay are, of course, far more abundant.  Some of the most informative of these sources are listed and described briefly below:

General info