Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program for International Teachers

The Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program for International Teachers brings international primary and secondary educators to the United States for a four-month long program to complete an individual or group project; take courses for professional learning at a host university; and observe, collaborate, and share their expertise with U.S. colleagues.

Program Description

Distinguished educators who are selected to participate in the program will:

• Design and complete an individual or group research project of direct relevance to their educational practice.
• Participate in advanced undergraduate or graduate level classes at a U.S. host university.
• Observe classes, co-teach, and share their expertise with U.S. colleagues in U.S. elementary or secondary schools.
• Participate in an online professional learning community with other participants to share educational practices with a global network of colleagues; and
• Engage in other educational and cultural activities while on program in the United States.

Upon returning home, educators will be expected to share the knowledge and experience gained during the program with educators and students in their home schools and communities.

Activities

University Coursework: University staff and an assigned faculty advisor will recommend audit courses to meet participants’ program goals, align with their research projects, and support the enhancement of their educational practice. The host university will provide coursework on a wide range of topics, including curriculum development, second-language instruction, comparative education, educational leadership, and teaching methodologies, from which participants can choose.

University Faculty Advisor: Each participant will work closely with a faculty advisor. The advisor will be a faculty member or other individual who will provide feedback and guidance as the participant develops the research project.

Technology Instruction: Participants will join a technology seminar that emphasizes technology for classroom instruction and planning in their home school environments, and is tailored to accommodate different levels of familiarity with technology instruction in the classroom.

Research Project: Throughout the semester at the U.S. host university, each participant will participate in activities that support the completion of an individual or a group research project. University program staff and the assigned faculty advisor will assist participants in refining and completing the project.

U.S. School Placements: Participants are placed in a U.S. elementary or secondary school during their time in the United States, where they will observe classes, co-teach, and share their expertise and information about their home communities and schools. Participants will be paired with a U.S. partner educator to help them learn more about the U.S. educational system and to serve as a guide during their school placements. Host university staff will identify schools near the university campus that are appropriate to each participant’s interests and areas of expertise. Participants will also have the opportunity to arrange their own visits to other classrooms and schools.

Online Professional Learning Community: Each participant will join a virtual global community with other participants to collaborate and share educational practices. 

Weekly Seminars: Participants will join weekly seminars at their host universities to reflect on what they are learning, share expertise and information about their home education systems, develop leadership skills, and address topics not covered in other aspects of the program.

Professional Learning Allowance: Each participant will receive a professional learning allowance to attend a conference or workshop or visit a school or organization outside the host community to further their professional goals.

After successfully completing the program, participants may apply for grants and participate in global education networks to enhance and sustain the work they began during the program.

Eligibility

If you are currently a full-time primary or secondary educator living and working in one of the participating Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching countries, you are eligible to apply to the program. This includes classroom teachers, guidance counselors, curriculum specialists, library media specialists, special education coordinators, administrators, and others who work directly with primary and/or secondary students at least fifty percent of their time.

In Bangladesh, Brazil, Botswana, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Morocco, the Philippines, Senegal, and Uganda teacher trainers are also eligible to apply.

Eligibility criteria also include three years of full-time teaching experience or working with students in another capacity appropriate to their professional role, and the ability to travel to the United States for five months. The U.S. Embassy or Fulbright Commission in your country has additional information about program eligibility and how to apply.

Application

The Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program for International Teachers is open to full-time primary and secondary educators in participating countries.

Ready to apply? Please contact your local U.S. Embassy or Fulbright Commission for information about how to apply, including specific application deadlines, as this varies by country or territory.

"Besides the professional development that represents this exchange, it was a good chance to be immersed in the American culture, and, what's more American than baseball?"

Carlos Rojas Ortega, English Teacher, Mexico to United States

group of teachers outdoors playing baseball