Cultural Exchange•USA

Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Program

Funding

Fully Funded

Program dates

TBA

The Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Program is a non-degree exchange grant sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE). It supports teaching assistantships in more than 30 languages to develop Americans’ knowledge of foreign cultures and languages. For one academic year (about 9–10 months, non-renewable), grantees teach their native language at a U.S. college or university, take courses there, and act as cultural ambassadors for their home country. Applicants apply through the binational Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy in their own country.

Benefits & funding

  • Tuition and fee waiver from the host institution covering the required two courses per semester (grantees enroll as J-1 non-degree students).
  • A monthly living stipend whose amount is set by the host institution and city. For traditional languages, hosts offering free room and board provide a minimum of US$500–600/month (recommended US$900–1,000); room-only placements carry a recommended minimum of US$750/month. For less commonly taught languages, support is typically US$800–1,000/month and/or free housing or a meal plan.
  • A health benefit plan provided through the U.S. Department of State.
  • J-1 exchange-visitor visa sponsorship.
  • Note: the grant does not cover travel for family members; spouses, children, and relatives may not accompany the grantee.

Eligibility

  • Reside in the country of nomination at the time of application and apply through that country’s Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy.
  • Hold the equivalent of a U.S. Bachelor’s degree with a good academic record (a Master’s is highly desirable).
  • Be an early-career teacher of English or a related field; prior teaching experience is preferred.
  • Demonstrate English proficiency: minimum TOEFL 550 (paper-based), 79–80 (internet-based), or IELTS 6.0 overall.
  • Must NOT hold U.S. citizenship; dual citizens are not eligible.
  • Independent applicants are not accepted — candidates must be nominated by a U.S. Embassy or Fulbright Commission.

Application process

  1. 1
    Contact the Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy in your home country to confirm whether FLTA is offered and the local deadline.
  2. 2
    Submit the Fulbright application and supporting documents (academic records, English test scores, references) to your home-country office by its established deadline.
  3. 3
    Shortlisted candidates are interviewed and nominated; IIE then arranges placement at a U.S. host institution.

Program timeline

  1. Application window

    set by each country’s Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy (varies by country)

  2. Nomination and interviews

    months after the local deadline

  3. Placement at a U.S. host institution

    arranged by IIE

  4. Grant period

    one academic year (approximately 9–10 months)