The Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program for International
Teachers (Fulbright DAI) brings together primary and secondary school
teachers to the United States for one semester, from August 2025 to December
2025. Teachers pursue individual inquiry projects, take courses for
professional development at a U.S. host university, observe and lead master
classes and seminars for teachers and students at the host university or local
primary and secondary schools, and share their expertise with U.S. colleagues
and other participants.
Fulbright DAI is a non-degree program.
Project Activities:
Educator training: Fulbright Distinguished Teachers take part in an
intensive five-month professional development program at a U.S.
university. The curriculum includes academic coursework, leadership
training, and instructional technology seminars.
Inquiry projects: Each participant will complete an individual or group
project relevant to their education practice. Past projects covered topics
such as current methodologies for teaching math, science, music, visual
arts, performing arts, and English as a second language; working with
special needs' students; promoting civic engagement or service learning;
environmental education; school management and leadership; and others that
meet a critical need in the candidate's home country.
Field experience: Fulbright Distinguished Teachers are actively engaged
with U.S. schools. They are given opportunities to observe, co-teach, and
share their expertise, building collaborative, lasting connections with
teachers and students.
Best practice exchange: Fulbright Distinguished Teachers study and
observe international best practices in education. They also share
professional expertise with educators and students in the United States.
Civic and cultural activities: Fulbright Distinguished Teachers
participate in U.S. cultural activities such as performances, sporting
events, visits to U.S. homes, Board of Education meetings, and trips to
notable historical sites.
Further information about the program is available on the program's website:
irex.org/fulbright-dai
Monthly maintenance allowance, fixed according to IIE estimates
Housing at the U.S. academic institution
Academic program fees for participation (as auditors) in U.S. university
graduate or upper-undergraduate level courses in Education
Round trip airfare from Israel to the U.S. academic institution for the
grantee only
Basic health insurance for the grantee only for the duration of the grant
J1 visa administration
Pre-departure orientation meeting in Israel
A workshop in Washington D.C.
Each Israeli participant will be credited 30-hour professional development
(‘Gmul Hishtalmut') by the Department of Professional Development for
Teaching Personnel
The opportunity to apply for alumni small grants
The program is aimed mainly at current, full-time primary and secondary school
classroom teachers who hold full-time teaching positions in any subject area
at an institution serving a primarily local population.
Guidance counselors, curriculum specialists, library media specialists,
special education coordinators, administrators and others may apply if they
spend at least half of their time interacting with students.
Teacher trainers, Ministry of Education officials, full-time principals or
educational administrators, university faculty, private English Language
tutors, and teachers from schools primarily serving expatriates are not
eligible for the program.
Additional basic eligibility criteria:
Five years of full-time experience, or equivalent, in teaching or working
with students in another capacity
(Pre-service practicum years are not included in the five year minimum)
Expected service of at least five years of working in elementary or
secondary education after the conclusion of the program
Proven track record of professional development activities and leadership,
including conducting professional development activities for other
teachers
A Bachelor's degree or equivalent education and experience
Citizenship and passport of, as well as residency in, the State of Israel
English language skills adequate to manage coursework, develop lesson
plans, and team-teach in U.S. schools
Candidates should be able to demonstrate commitment to primary or
secondary education and the potential for developing long term linkages
between U.S. and home country schools.
Candidates should be able to demonstrate strong leadership potential and
the potential to function well in an intensive and collaborative learning
environment with teachers from around the world.
Candidates should be able to live and work closely with people from a
variety of backgrounds and interact in a culturally sensitive way with
students (minors) and colleagues in U.S. secondary schools.
The ideal candidates will complete and timely submit a professional-
looking application, including well-articulated a thoroughly-thought-of
inquiry project and essay.
Since the aim of the Fulbright Program is to foster cultural understanding
between the U.S. and other countries such as Israel, preference will be
given to applicants who have not had a substantial recent academic
experience in the United States or another English-speaking country.
Grantees must travel on a J-1 Exchange Visitor visa sponsored by the
Fulbright program.
It is a condition of the visa that after completion of their Fulbright
program, including any transfer of visa sponsorship, grantees must return
to Israel and reside in the country for two years before being eligible to
immigrate to the U.S., to take up permanent residence there, or to enter
the U.S. with a work permit. The purpose of the two-year home residency
requirement is to ensure that exchange visitors return home and fulfill
the exchange objectives of the Fulbright program.
No visa transfers or extensions will be given.
The DAI Program does not sponsor J-2 visas for spouses or dependents.
Thus, Fellows may not bring spouses or dependents with them to the U.S.
Awards cannot be deferred to future program cycles.
Fellows will be asked to act as Fulbright Israel Programs Ambassadors – to
share their experiences with others, to disseminate fellowship information
among colleagues and potential candidates and to participate in
information sessions for new candidates that may be held in their region.
Alumni will also be invited to attend Fulbright Israel's activities and
events and, from time to time, asked to assist in the reviewing process
for incoming candidates.
The most highly-ranked candidates will be invited for an interview in Israel.
All interviews are held on the same day. In order to be considered for an
award, applicants must be available for interview in person on the date fixed
by Fulbright Israel.
The Foundation reserves the exclusive right to determine, within the framework
of applicable law and regulations, the qualitative standards for the
evaluation of applications. The Foundation is not under any obligation to
provide the reasons for its decisions regarding the allocation of Fellowships.
May 2, 2024
Application deadline
April-May 2024
Selection Committee reviews applications
June 2024
Interviews, selection and nomination of semi-finalists
June-November 2024
External application review in the U.S.
December 2024
Finalists award announcement
December 2024
Nominees confirm acceptance of award
August 2025
Program begins
74 Rothschild Boulevard
P.O.B. 29441, Tel Aviv 6129302
Phone +972 (0)3 5213800
Fax +972 (0)3 5162016
Programs for Israelis - [email protected]
Programs for Americans - [email protected]