Suriname

Capacity Building in Suriname Through Teaching, Entrepreneurship and Experiential Learning

kmoorehead@iie.org — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 02:34:21 +0000

Capacity Building in Suriname Through Teaching, Entrepreneurship and Experiential Learning

Grantee

Michelle Meyer

kmoorehead@iie.org Wed, 10/01/2025 - 22:34

Title

Professor

Institution

Lindenwood University

Host Institutions

Institution

Polytechnic College Suriname

Program

Fulbright �ǿմ�ý Scholar Program

Program Country

Suriname

Grant Activity Type

Teaching

Academic Year

2025-2026

Discipline

Business

Dates

October 2025 - February 2026

Specialization

Entrepreneurial & Small Business Oper

Flex

Scholar type

�ǿմ�ý Scholar

Award Title

25177-SR|All Disciplines

Polytechnic College Suriname

kmoorehead@iie.org — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 02:25:41 +0000

Polytechnic College Suriname kmoorehead@iie.org Wed, 10/01/2025 - 22:25

Country

Suriname

City

Paramaribo

Suriname

Anonymous — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 12:13:24 +0000

Suriname Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 04/04/2024 - 08:13

Congratulations on receiving a Fulbright grant! The resources on this page are designed to familiarize you with your host location and provide important context and information as you prepare to travel abroad. We encourage you to review the readings, websites, and logistical information offered by local contacts. Click the section headings below to display the information.

Orientation Information

As part of your Fulbright grant, you are required to attend a virtual Pre-Departure Orientation (PDO). You will receive an email in late Spring with more information. If you have any questions regarding the PDO, please email FulbrightPDO.WHA@iie.org.

Contact Information

�ǿմ�ý Embassy in Paramaribo
Kristalstraat 165
Paramaribo, Suriname
Tel: (597) 556-700 (When dialing from the �ǿմ�ý, first dial "011" then the 597 country code, followed by the 6-digit landline number.)
Website: sr.usembassy.gov

Points of Contact

Chevallie Vinkwolk
Public Engagement Coordinator
Email: vinkwolkcv@state.gov

Country Information

Visas

A visa or authorization of temporary stay (MKV) is required for entry to Suriname. If your program requires you to stay more than 90 days in Suriname, please apply for an MKV. If you will be staying less than 90 days in Suriname, you may qualify for a business visa. The business visa has a maximum validity of 5 years with multiple entries. Please contact the consular section of the Embassy of Suriname in the United States with specific questions. More information on visas and the application forms can be found on their website at: http://www.surinameembassy.org.

Social Media

Embassy Facebook Page

X.com/USEmbassyParbo

Join Fulbrighter, the Fulbright Program’s exclusive platform for current and former participants. Expand your network, meet program alums, and become part of a vibrant global community!

Minority Language Ideologies and Resource Development in Suriname

rharris@iie.org — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 15:08:50 +0000

Minority Language Ideologies and Resource Development in Suriname

Grantee

Racquel-María Sapién

rharris@iie.org Mon, 12/04/2023 - 10:08

Title

Associate Professor

Institution

University of Oklahoma

School

College of Arts and Sciences

Host Institutions

Institution

National Language Council of Suriname

Program

Fulbright �ǿմ�ý Scholar Program

Program Country

Suriname

Grant Activity Type

Lecturer, Research

Academic Year

2023-2024

Discipline

Linguistics

Dates

January 2024 - November 2024

Specialization

Anthropological Linguistics

Flex

Yes

Scholar type

�ǿմ�ý Scholar

Award Title

13457-NS|All Disciplines

Globally Essential Ecology in a Small Country: Teaching International Relations in Suriname

rharris@iie.org — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 15:08:50 +0000

Globally Essential Ecology in a Small Country: Teaching International Relations in Suriname

Grantee

Nancy Wright

rharris@iie.org Mon, 12/04/2023 - 10:08

Title

Adjunct Faculty

Institution

Pace University

School

Dyson College of Arts and Sciences

Host Institutions

Institution

Anton De Kom University

Program

Fulbright �ǿմ�ý Scholar Program

Program Country

Suriname

Grant Activity Type

Lecturer

Academic Year

2023-2024

Discipline

Political Science

Dates

March 2024 - June 2024

Specialization

International Relations

Flex

Scholar type

�ǿմ�ý Scholar

Award Title

13457-NS|All Disciplines

National Language Council of Suriname

rharris@iie.org — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 15:06:58 +0000

National Language Council of Suriname rharris@iie.org Mon, 12/04/2023 - 10:06

Country

Suriname

City

Paramaribo

All Disciplines

drupal@northern.co — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 19:29:27 +0000

All Disciplines drupal@northern.co Fri, 11/10/2023 - 14:29

Fulbright Scholar Award

Application Deadline

Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Additional Qualification Information

Ph.D. is preferred, but a master's degree with at least three years of teaching experience will be considered. Experienced academics preferred but early career applicants (within five years of terminal degree) will also be considered.

Advise and/or mentor students

Assist in faculty, curriculum, and/or program development

Conduct a research project designated by the host institution

Conduct a research project of the applicant’s choosing

Teach graduate and/or undergraduate courses designated by the host institution

Teach graduate and/or undergraduate courses of the applicant’s choosing

Award Start Period

August 2027 - October 2027 or March 2028

Award Code

271321-SR

Award Length

4 months

Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.

Activity Type

Research

Teaching

Teaching/Research

Additional Comments

Candidates without contacts in Suriname may contact the �ǿմ�ý Embassy to request assistance.

�ǿմ�ý Embassy requests that all awardees 1) enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at travel.state.gov, and 2) visit the �ǿմ�ý Embassy upon arrival for safety in-brief and to provide contact information.

The Embassy's Public Affairs Section welcomes inquiries from applicants.

The �ǿմ�ý Embassy contact information is:
sr.usembassy.gov
+597 556 700

Degree Requirements

PhD (or other terminal Degree)

Not Required

Flex Option

Yes

This award allows Flex. This option enables applicants to propose multiple short-term stays in the host country over two years if required by their proposed project. Refer to Flex Description below for specific parameters. Plans, goals, and rationale for Flex must be described in Project Statement.

You may be asked to participate in an interview as part of the in-country selection process.

All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).

In addition to being a prestigious academic exchange program, the Fulbright Program is designed to expand and strengthen relationships between the people of the United States and citizens of other nations and to promote international understanding and cooperation. To support this mission, Fulbright Scholars may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host community, in addition to their primary activities‎.

Citizenship/Residency Requirement

Not applicable – all �ǿմ�ý citizens are eligible to apply, regardless of dual citizenship or residency.

Country

Suriname

Award Activity

Teach in any discipline and/or pursue independent or collaborative research as desired. The standard teaching load is eight hours per week. For teaching/research projects, candidates should plan a 50/50 ratio of teaching to research.

Career Profile

Artists

Early Career Academics

Mid-Career Academics

Senior Academics

Community College Faculty

Contacts and Helpful Links

Anton de Kom University

The Embassy's Public Affairs Section welcomes inquiries from applicants. Candidates without contacts in Suriname may contact the �ǿմ�ý Embassy in Paramaribo to request assistance.

Email: education-suriname@state.gov

Phone: +597 556 700

Multi-Country/Area Award

Areas of Interest

The �ǿմ�ý Embassy in Suriname is interested in projects that will have an impact in capacity building of Surinamese institutions and contribute towards their development. Applications are sought in all disciplines. The following areas of research are of special interest: oil and gas, agriculture, anthropology, archaeology, economics and entrepreneurship, education, environmental sciences, computer science, information technology, journalism, music, psychology, and public health.

Invitation Requirement

An invitation letter is preferred.

Approximately

Invitation Requirement Additional Information

Applicants should establish contact with a prospective host institution at the time of application to discuss the proposed project.

Locations

Location Selection: Applicant may propose an appropriate host

Discipline Type

Projects are sought in all disciplines

Locations Detail

Institutions of higher education, government institutions, cultural institutions, and non-governmental organizations.

Language Proficiency Requirements

None, English is sufficient. However, feasibility of conducting the project must be demonstrated in the project statement

Award Length and Period

Grants may begin in August 2027, September 2027, October 2027 or March 2028.

For Flex grants, see Flex Option section.

All Scholars to Suriname are required to attend a pre-departure orientation, which typically takes place in June or July, prior to beginning their Fulbright grant.

Applicants are encouraged to consult the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) “Can-Do Statements” to determine if they are qualified.

Required Proficiency

Applicants are encouraged to register qualified language evaluator, such as a language instructor or a translator, to conduct the external assessment in the application. Being a native speaker alone does not qualify an individual to conduct the assessment.

Applicants who are native speakers do not need to complete an external evaluation.

Required Proficiency

Applicants must register qualified language evaluator, such as a language instructor or a translator, to conduct the external assessment in the application. Being a native speaker alone does not qualify an individual to conduct the assessment.

Applicants who are native speakers do not need to complete an external evaluation.

The Flex Award is designed for scholars who require multiple visits to the host country. This option allows grants to be conducted over two or three short segments. Applicants must select Flex in the application form, and clearly describe their plans for Flex in their project statement, including a project timeline. Flex grantees may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host-country academic community.

Level of Proficiency

Intermediate

Flex awards are offered for teaching, teaching/research, and research grants.

Required Languages

Dutch

Additional Language Requirement

Dutch language proficiency is recommended, but not required.

All university classes are in Dutch. However, most, if not all, post-secondary Surinamese academics speak excellent English.

Flex allowed for all activity type(s) listed in award

Research

Teaching

Teaching/Research

Segments may be proposed for up to a 2 year period

2 or 3 Segments may be proposed

Grant segments are allowed to be conducted in summer months (June, July, and August)

Yes

Estimated Travel and Relocation Allowance for Grantee

$1,350, in addition to round-trip airfare coordinated through travel agency GBT.

For Flex grants, round-trip travel will be included for each segment of the grant for the scholar only; no dependent travel will be provided.

Minimum segment length is 1 month(s)

Estimated Book and Research Allowance

$1,000 books and educational materials allowance for teaching and teaching/research grants; these materials should be donated to the host institution or other entity upon the scholar's departure.

$300 research allowance for research-only grants.

Maximum segment length is 3 month(s)

Do you offer dependent benefits

Yes

Minimum total award length is 4 month(s)

Additional living and housing allowance is provided for grantees with one accompanying dependent or two or more accompanying dependent. These amounts range from $200/month to $400/month.

Round-trip airfare is also provided for up to two eligible dependents and is coordinated through travel agency GBT.

Maximum total award length is 4 month(s)

$6940

Dependents must accompany the grantee for at least 80% of the period abroad and a minimum of one semester in order to qualify for additional dependent benefits. Dependent benefits are not provided to Flex grantees.

$7160

Estimated Cost of Living

Scholars should budget around $1500-2000 per month for living expenses. This amount includes housing which can range from $750 a month for a basic furnished 1 bedroom/studio apartment to $1750 for a serviced apartment with meals included. Inflation has been quite high recently, making the exchange rate strong, however prices have also risen to match. Transportation and food are relatively inexpensive, and you can purchase a basic lunch for around $3-5 in local restaurants. You may choose to consult a cost-of-living calculator to further investigate the potential costs for goods and services. See country overview for more information on transportation.

Special Award Benefits

During their grant period, Fulbright �ǿմ�ý Scholars in the Western Hemisphere (WHA) region may apply for a short-term regional travel grant for activities such as workshops, seminars, presentations, lectures, performances, exhibits, curricular advising and similar projects at institutions in eligible WHA countries. (Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados and Eastern Caribbean, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago and Uruguay).

The Regional Travel Program covers travel to and from the destination; lodging may be offered by the host institution. Scholars may only apply for this grant once they are in country on their Fulbright grant. Scholars who apply for the Flex award are ineligible for the Regional Travel Program. Additional information can be found on the Regional Travel Program website.

Please refer to the figures above for an estimate of total monthly Fulbright award benefits. Benefits may include a monthly base stipend, living and housing allowances, and additional one-time allowances. Benefits may vary based on a scholar's current academic rank (or professional equivalent), the city of placement, the type of award (teaching, teaching/research, or research), and the number of and duration of stay of accompanying dependents. Research-only or Professional Project grantees receive a standard stipend that is not adjusted for academic rank. In most cases, dependent benefits will not be provided to Flex grantees, or to grantees pursuing grants less than four months (or a semester) in length.

Final grant amounts will be determined prior to the start of the academic year and are subject to the availability of funds. The United States Department of State reserves the right to alter, without notice, participating countries, number of awards and allowances.

$6170

Suriname

drupal@northern.co — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 18:47:19 +0000

Suriname drupal@northern.co Thu, 11/09/2023 - 13:47

What is life like for Fulbrighters in your country?

Unique Country

Suriname is a unique and relatively undeveloped South American/Caribbean country of roughly 600,000 inhabitants with a tropical climate. A former Dutch colony, it borders Guyana, French Guiana, Brazil, and the Atlantic Ocean. Ninety percent of the country is covered with dense tropical rainforest while coastal mangroves form the shoreline. The capital city, Paramaribo, has a population of roughly 350,000 inhabitants.

Dutch-speaking Suriname gained independence in 1975 and experienced civil war in the 1980s. However, with a stable democratically elected government and leadership in CARICOM, it is now poised, after years of isolation, for development in fields such as tourism, entrepreneurship, and business development. Recent oil exploration off the coast promises future prosperity, though the effects will not be felt for another few years or more. There are many opportunities for research on environmental and sociocultural issues, health care and journalism.

Applicants to Suriname will find themselves in high demand for their expertise, welcomed by Suriname's legendary friendly hospitality, in a country that abounds with natural wonders and features a capital city, Paramaribo, which offers most of the amenities to which Westerners are accustomed.

Tropical Climate

Temperatures can go up to 97°F/36°C but average in the 80s. It is hot and humid throughout the year in almost every region. However, in most of the country, there is a rainy season from December to mid-August (with a relative decrease in February and March and a peak in May and June) and a relatively dry season from late August to mid-November. There are also often breezes in the evening that cool the temperature.

Cost of Living

Post-COVID, Suriname currently has a very high rate of inflation, at around 50%. The official exchange rate has changed several times in the past few months and is now at US$1=SRD35.

Most packaged items are imported and can be pricey, local products are cheaper but of varying quality. It is possible to eat lunch for US$3 or for US$15 depending on the restaurant.

Transportation

Getting around the city can be done by bus, at a rate of about SRD15 per trip, or by taxi, with rates of $5 - $10 per trip for most locations around the city. There are government and private buses, with neither being reliable in all neighborhoods.

Housing

Scholars should be aware that it may not be possible to secure housing within walking distance of the university and should be prepared to take public transportation or a taxi to their place of work.

Education

Please note the academic calendar in Suriname begins in October.

Education in Suriname is divided into primary education, secondary education, and tertiary education and consists of public and private schools. The public schools are under the management and authority of the government.

Suriname's largest educational institution, Anton de Kom University, as well as other private higher education institutes for teaching, journalism and business, such as Polytechnic College, have highly qualified academics who are eager to collaborate with international partners on research and teaching. The university itself is in the midst of an accreditation process and would welcome expertise from �ǿմ�ý scholars on curriculum development in fields as varied as psychology, mining, engineering and social sciences.

Connectivity

Scholars should not expect much Internet connectivity at their host institution, and if there are audio/visual materials they want to use in class, as much content as possible should be pre-downloaded on to a flash drive prior to arrival. Some host institutions will have in-class tech (smart board, projector) available for the scholar’s use, and a laptop can be located if necessary.

Medical Services

Medical services are not always available due to a lack of medical professionals and medication. Medication cannot be shipped through the mail. Scholars should bring a backup pair of glasses or contact lenses. As you prepare your Fulbright application, we encourage you to read the information on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.

What to pack

Throughout the year: pack tropics-friendly, loose-fitting clothing, light shirts, and pants of natural fibers (cotton, linen) or synthetics that breathe, maybe with long sleeves for mosquitoes; a light sweatshirt for the evening, a sun hat, and an umbrella or a light and breathable raincoat.
From December to March, add a sweatshirt for the evening.

Previous Fulbright Recipients

Click here for a list of Fulbright Scholar alumni to Suriname.

Program staff

Name

Glorimar Marino

Phone

202-686-7688

westhem@iie.org

Preparing the Moengo community in Suriname for a green label of acai production systems

rharris@iie.org — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 20:18:41 +0000

Preparing the Moengo community in Suriname for a green label of acai production systems

Grantee

Mayra Deborah Esseboom

rharris@iie.org Tue, 10/03/2023 - 16:18

Title

Non-Timber Forest Products Researcher

Institution

Centre for Agricultural Research in Suriname (CELOS)

Host Institutions

Institution

University of Florida

Faculty

Karen Kainer

Program

Fulbright Amazonia

Program Country

Suriname

Grant Activity Type

Research

Academic Year

2023-2024

Discipline

Forestry

Dates

June 2023 - December 2024

Specialization

Forest Resources Prod & Mngmt

Flex

Scholar type

Non-�ǿմ�ý (Visiting) Scholar

Mayra Deborah Esseboom

rharris@iie.org — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 20:17:24 +0000

Mayra Deborah Esseboom rharris@iie.org Tue, 10/03/2023 - 16:17

Home Country

Suriname