The Fulbright Teacher Exchanges are sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by IREX. The programs are governed by policies established by the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.

The Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Research Program (Fulbright DA) provides an opportunity for K–12 educators from the United States to conduct research and engage in other professional learning experiences abroad for three to six months. Fulbright Distinguished fellows complete individual research projects on a topic relevant to education in the United States and the host country, take courses at a host university, and share educational practices with colleagues.

The Fulbright DA Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by IREX.

• Grow educators’ professional leadership skills
• Expand access to global networks
• Allow educators to inform research, policy, and practice
• Promote mutual understanding

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

1. Design and implement a research project related to education in the United States and host country.
2. Build global networks of researchers, practitioners, and policy makers.
3. Exchange ideas and best educational practices.
4. Develop resources and tools that can be used long after the project ends.

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.

More about what fellows do:

• Research Project: As part of the application process, educators identify a topic relevant to their own educational practice that can be enhanced by collaboration with colleagues in another country.
• Orientation Workshop: Once selected, fellows gather in Washington, DC, for a professional learning orientation workshop to work with other participants and further develop strategies for the research project design and implementation process.
• International Field Experience: In the fall or spring semester, Fulbright Distinguished fellows travel to their host location for three to six months, where they pursue their research projects with guidance from an advisor at a host institution. Fellows also take courses pertaining to their professional goals. A U.S.–based educational consultant supports fellows virtually throughout the program.
• Online Professional Learning Community: Each Fulbright Distinguished fellow will participate in a virtual global community with other fellows to collaborate and share educational practices.
• Alumni Opportunities: After successfully completing the Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Research Program, alumni may apply for grants and participate in global education networks to enhance and sustain the work they began during the program.

Learn more about the program »

If you have questions, please contact fulbrightda@irex.org.

The Fulbright Teacher Exchanges are sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by IREX.