Overview and Guidelines

Fulbright Greece will award up to two grants to outstanding Greek primary or secondary-level school educators to attend the 2028 Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program for International Teachers. The program will provide approximately 35 international educators with a semester-long training program at a U.S. university school of education. The program is a practice-based, intensive professional development program, beginning in August 2028. Participants will take graduate or advanced undergraduate level classes at the U.S. host university; observe classes, co-teach, and learn from U.S. colleagues in U.S. primary or secondary schools; bring back American methods to their home schools in fields such as AI, education technology, U.S. history and culture, and STEM, and engage in other education and cultural activities while on program in the United States.

Emphases:

• Promote mutual understanding between teachers, their schools, and communities in the United States and abroad by building teachers’ and students’ global competence, and by sharing educational best practices internationally.
• Provide professional development to enhance educators’ expertise in their disciplines and furnish them with a deeper understanding of best practices in education.
• Contribute to improving education in participating countries by preparing participants to serve as educational leaders who are equipped to apply and share their experience and skills with their colleagues and students upon returning home.

Key factors in candidate selection include professional experience, academic training and excellence, educator project idea, leadership potential, potential for professional development and bilateral relationships, civic engagement, extra-curricular activities, and personal qualities/abilities to serve as a cultural ambassador for Greece.

All awards are subject to the Fulbright Foundation policies, in compliance with the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FFSB) guidelines, and all U.S. government regulations regarding visas, immigration, travel, and residence.

View the official Fulbright DAI Program Announcement
View the official Program Page

Eligibility Requirements

Citizenship: Greek citizenship or possession of a Greek passport. Candidates with U.S./Greek dual citizenship are not eligible;

High Academic Achievement: Demonstrated by academic grades, awards, and recommendations.

Employment: Full-time or a combination of positions that add up to full-time equivalence, with at least 50 percent of teaching to the local population as part of the full-time employment. Applicants who are teacher trainers do not need to work directly with elementary and secondary students, but must work with elementary or secondary pre-service or in-service teachers at least fifty percent of their time.

Assignment: Teachers and administrators assigned to the Greek public school system at the primary and secondary education level. Very limited private schools can be considered and only if they serve under-resourced student populations.  Part-time and substitute teachers, or teachers without a permanent teaching position are not eligible.  Private English Language tutors and teachers from schools primarily serving expatriates are not eligible.

Professional Experience: By the start of the program, all applicants must have completed at least three years of full-time teaching; however, the most competitive applicants will have at least five years’ experience.  Other educators (librarians, guidance counselors, administrators, etc.) and teacher trainers (in eligible countries) must have a similar level of experience.

Residency: Have permanent residency in Greece and commit to returning to fulfill the mission and aim of the Fulbright grant.

English Proficiency: Excellent command of the English language.

Grant Period: FDAI are intensive academic programs that take place over the course of a semester beginning in mid-August and ending at the beginning of December. Participants are expected to complete an educator project, take courses for professional development at a host university, and observe, collaborate and share their expertise with U.S. colleagues. The Fulbright DAI program is not designed for PhD research.  The program is practice-based and primarily focused on education leadership and sharing best practices in education.

Full-time Engagement: Participants should be prepared for an intensive 4-month U.S.-based training program with very limited free time for personal travel or sightseeing.

Preferences

Education: Preference given to candidates with a B.A./M.A. degree from recognized institutions in Greece.

Age: Preference given to candidates who are mid-career and under the age of 55 at the time of application.

Fulbright Grant: Preference given to candidates who have not previously received a Fulbright teacher grant. Alumni of the SUSI program must have completed the program at least three years before the start of the program for which they are applying and demonstrate that the program has had significant impact on their professional practice. 

Recent U.S. Experience: Preference given to qualified candidates without substantial recent experience in the United States.

Location: Candidates in the United States at the time of application are not eligible.

Grant Benefits

Fulbright Experience:

Transformative Experience: Opportunity for a transformative cultural and academic journey.
Comprehensive Support: Extensive guidance provided before, during, and after the Fulbright year, opening numerous doors.
Global Networking: Unique global networking opportunities.

Financial Benefits:

Funding: The programs are fully funded, with all participant costs covered, including academic program fees, domestic travel, ground transportation for school visits during the program, housing and meal arrangements, incidental expenses, baggage and technology allowances.
Travel Coverage: Round-trip travel allowance provided.
Health Plan Coverage: Limited accident and sickness benefits plan included.

Program Support:

Annual Awards Ceremony: Participate in the annual Awards Ceremony.
Visa Assistance: Obtain a J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa.

Additional Benefits:

Community Membership: Gain memberships in both local and global communities.
Invitations: for participation in Outreach and Train the Trainers Programs.

NOTE: at present, the Ministry of Education does not grant paid leave for this program and participants have to take into account when applying that they may need to make the necessary arrangements for their leave from home.

Terms and Conditions

Application: Submission of a complete application is mandatory.

Deferral: Awards cannot be deferred to the following year.

J-1 visa: Fulbright grant recipients must travel on a J-1 visa sponsored by the Fulbright Program. It is a condition of the visa that, after completing the research program, scholars must return to Greece and reside there for two years before being eligible to immigrate or apply for permanent residence or a work permit in the United States. The purpose of the two-year home residency requirement is to ensure that exchange visitors return to their home country and fulfill the exchange objectives of the Fulbright Program to broaden and strengthen mutual understanding between Greece and the United States.

Application Procedures

Application – Deadline: February 15, 2027 at 23:59 EET
The application process take place online through a designated platform.

Guidelines: The application form consists of an extensive and detailed questionnaire. In addition, you will need to upload the signed Institutional Support and Reference Form, a copy of an English language CV, and copies of your major degrees with English translations. 

Selection

Selection Committee: interviews short-listed candidates on specific dates. Interviews last for about 20 minutes, are conducted in English, and are held online.

Fulbright Teacher Exchanges | Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs | U.S. Department of State & IREX: review the candidates before final placement.
 
Fulbright Foundation's Board of Directors: nominates/endorses the candidates.

Contact
Greek Program Coordinator
The Fulbright Foundation
T 210 7241 811/2, ext. 3
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Application Form

The application period for the 2027-2028 academic cycle runs from December 1, 2027 through to February 15, 2027. The application link will be made available here on December 1. 

Program Calendar