What is the Fulbright Specialist Program?
The Fulbright Specialist Program, part of the larger Fulbright Program, was established in 2001. The program deploys highly qualified American academics and professionals to share their expertise and strengthen institutions overseas while addressing shared challenges that benefit American communities and our world.
Specialists, who represent a wide range of professional and academic disciplines, share their knowledge, skills, expertise, and innovative ideas through two- to six-week projects designed and requested by foreign receiving institutions in over 150 countries and other areas. These institution-designed projects are recommended for selection by U.S. Embassies and Fulbright Commissions around the world, ensuring that U.S. expertise, skills, and perspectives drive progress in key academic, professional, and/or cultural sectors.
Prospective U.S. Specialists must first apply through a merit-based process for placement on the Fulbright Specialist Roster. Individuals approved to join the Fulbright Specialist Roster based on their knowledge, skills, and ability to make significant contributions to projects overseas are then eligible to be matched with projects designed by foreign institutions.
The Fulbright Specialist Program provides flexible opportunities for American experts to collaborate intensively with institutions and address real-world challenges in areas of strategic interest. These engagements often lead to sustained relationships, with Specialists continuing to work with partner institutions in the years following their initial exchange, promoting lasting partnership between American and international institutions and advancing shared goals.
How is the Fulbright Specialist Program Different from other Fulbright Programs?
The Fulbright Specialist Program offers year-round project opportunities of two to six weeks in length. The shorter duration of Specialist projects is beneficial for both the U.S. academic or professional, who may not be available to leave their professional commitments in the United States for an extended period of time, and the foreign receiving institution, which may need an experienced partner on a short-term basis to achieve a specific, measurable outcome.
Through the Fulbright Specialist Program, American academics and professionals strengthen foreign receiving institutions and drive progress through an array of activities including, but not limited to:
Delivering seminars, trainings or workshops
Consulting on faculty or workforce development
Developing academic or training curricula and materials
Lecturing at the graduate or undergraduate level
Engaging in strategic or institutional planning
Conducting needs assessments or evaluations
Faculty, administrators, and highly accomplished professionals, including attorneys, business professionals, public policy professionals, artists, and scientists, are encouraged to apply to share their unique expertise in support of Fulbright Specialist projects.
Benefits for Foreign Institutions
The Fulbright Specialist Program welcomes participation from a wide array of foreign institutions, including universities, non-governmental organizations, cultural centers, and medical facilities. By implementing their designed project with a Fulbright Specialist, foreign institutions:
Gain American perspectives from experienced academics and professionals;
Execute projects that require a rapid response or flexible timeline through short-term, year-round exchanges; and
Lay the foundation for sustained relationships with American individuals and institutions that provide benefits beyond the initial exchange.
If you are a foreign institution looking for information about hosting an American to work on projects related to ESL/TESOL, please visit https://elprograms.org/specialist/ to learn more about the English Language Specialist program.
Benefits for Specialists
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, along with foreign receiving institutions, provide U.S.-based Specialists with funding to participate in Fulbright Specialist projects.
Specialist grant benefits include:
Round-trip, economy class airfare between the United States and receiving country
Modest transit allowance
All applicable visa fees
Daily honorarium
Enrollment in a limited health benefits program
Lodging
Meals
In-country transportation
Upon returning to the United States, Specialists contribute their newly gained knowledge, perspectives, and relationships to their U.S. employer and professional networks. Program participants will also become part of a network of thousands of accomplished Fulbright alumni, opening the door to additional grant possibilities, enhanced career development, and alumni networking and leadership opportunities.
World Learning and the Fulbright Specialist Program
World Learning is proud to administer the Fulbright Specialist Program on behalf of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.