Non-U.S. Institutions: Explore the Specialist Program

Non-U.S. Institutions: Explore the Specialist Program
The Fulbright Specialist Program (FSP) provides non-U.S. institutions overseas the opportunity to draw on the expertise of U.S. scholars and professionals and develop linkages with American institutions.

The Specialist Program cultivates higher education excellence and innovation by supporting projects at host institutions which are:

Institution-Focused
Institutions around the world can work with U.S. scholars and professionals to address challenges, to build or enhance networks, and to stimulate dialogue on topics of significance.  Preferred hosts should be involved in university-level teaching or training, the expansion of partnerships between universities and specialized institutions, and the promotion of international and cross-institutional cooperation. Eligible institution types include universities, non-profit organizations, government agencies, cultural and medical institutions, as well as research organizations and think tanks.  Institutions wanting to host a Fulbright Specialist develop and submit project requests through a local Fulbright commission or U.S. embassy public affairs sections in their home countries. 

Capacity-Building
Specialist grants focus on strengthening and supporting the development needs of institutions and broadening institutional cooperation. Fulbright Specialists work in their areas of expertise as they enhance their understanding (of the cultural and education contexts) of the host country through engagement with the host community. Eligible project activities include teacher training, short-term lecturing, participation in seminars, special conferences or workshops, as well as collaborating on curriculum planning and institutional and/or faculty development.  Research projects are not funded.

Flexible
The Fulbright Specialist Program is active in all world regions, engaging Specialists at host institutions in over than 140 countries.  The Program funds more than 400 projects annually, cutting across all eligible disciplines, project activities, and institution types.
Specialist projects are two- to six-weeks in duration, and can include serial visits of at least two weeks up to a combined total of six weeks. The short grant lengths are designed to facilitate a fast response to the needs of eligible institutions. Projects may take place in as little as three months from the time they are approved.

The Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES) maintains a Roster of thousands of highly qualified U.S. Specialists with extensive expertise in STEM education, the social sciences and humanities, and other disciplines. Host institutions may request a specific candidate or CIES can work with the local Fulbright office to select a scholar from the Roster with a background matching the project request.

Collaborative
Projects promote the international engagement of academic scholarship and lay the foundations for the development of institutional linkages between American and overseas educational institutions.  Scholar stories highlight the collaborative efforts of past Specialists and host institutions.

Funding for Specialist projects is shared between the U.S. Department of State and host institutions.  The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) pays for the grantee’s international travel costs and provides a payment of $200 per grant day.  The host institution covers the cost of grantee housing, meals, and any necessary, program-related, in-country expenses. In-country costs may be supplied by the host institution as in-kind services and/or monies paid directly to the grantee.