How to Apply to the Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Short-Term Program

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Short-Term Program, the applicant must:

  • be a citizen of the United States;
  • reside in the United States, a U.S. territory, or a school associated with the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity;
  • hold at least a Bachelor’s degree (specific projects may prefer a Master’s degree; please see project description for more information);
  • have had a minimum of three years of full-time experience in an instructional role at a K-12 institution or district in the United States, a U.S. territory, or a school associated with the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity (specific projects may prefer more than three years of experience);
  • be currently employed full-time in a K-12 institution or district in an instructional role or similar, such as instructional coach, teacher trainer, or technology specialist, etc., in the United States, a U.S. territory, or a school associated with the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity; and
  • NOT have resided abroad for five or more consecutive years in the six-year period preceding the date of application (a candidate who has lived outside the United States, a U.S. territory, or a school associated with the Department of Defense Education Activity for nine months or more during a calendar year is deemed to have resided abroad for that year).

Additional consideration will be given to applicants who:

  • currently have at least 50% of contracted time in a student-facing role;
  • work in high-need schools or districts, defined as:
    • having a student population that is of high socioeconomic need, especially where 40% or more qualifies for Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FARMS);
    • including a significant representation of racial and ethnic minorities;
    • including a significant representation of students with disabilities;
    • including a significant representation of students facing other risk factors and/or other resource deficits;
  • hold a Master’s degree from a U.S. university and/or a National Board Certification;
  • have had five or more years of experience in a full-time instructional role in a U.S. K-12 educational institution or school district;
  • have served in the U.S. armed forces;
  • demonstrate commitment to remaining in U.S. K-12 education following their participation in the Fulbright Program; and
  • have not received a Fulbright award. Preference will also be given to educators who do not have substantial experience abroad, especially in the country to which they are applying. The Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board defines substantial recent experience as study, teaching, research or employment for a period aggregating more than an academic year (nine months) during the past five years.

Application

The application to the Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Short-Term can be found in IREX’s Online Application System. The application includes sections to enter personal and professional demographics, educational and certification information, language proficiency, and an opportunity to answer, in short essays, questions about the applicant’s goals for the program, their background and experience, and how they might leverage the experience for impact in their school community.

Applicants are asked to demonstrate how their skills and experience qualify them to fulfill the project activities in the project for which they are applying.

The application also requires the submission of references and certain documentation:

  • Resume or curriculum vitae
  • Professional reference from someone the applicant has worked with in a professional capacity
  • Professional reference from the applicant’s school or district lead administrator
  • Leave Approval Form
  • Verification of bachelor's degree conferred, or certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
  • Preference for applicants who have not participated in another Fulbright program and have not had significant previous professional experience abroad (study, teaching, research, or employment) Only one applicant will be selected for each opportunity, unless noted otherwise in the project description.

Applicants are considered individually, and team applications will not be accepted.

Join a global community of educators and prepare your students for the world.

Program Resources

Contact

If you have any questions, please contact FulbrightDAST@irex.org.