For Greek primary and secondary school educators who hold full-time teaching positions in any subject. Primary and secondary level library media specialists, guidance counselors, curriculum specialists, special education coordinators, and other educators including administrators who work with primary and/or secondary students at least fifty percent of their time may also apply. .
APPLICATION PERIOD:
Tuesday, February 20, 2024 - Friday May 17, 2024
No applications will be accepted beyond May 17, 2024 at 23:59 EET (Greek time)
Photo Credit: Andriani Arampatzi, 2023 Fulbright Distinguished Teacher, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Overview and Guidelines
The Fulbright Foundation in Greece will award up to two grants to outstanding Greek primary and secondary-level school educators to attend the 2025 Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program.The Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program for International Teachers (Fulbright DAI) will bring approximately 50 international primary and secondary teachers to the United States from August to December 2025 to complete a research project, take courses for professional development at a host university, and observe, collaborate and share their expertise with U.S. colleagues. The program is practice-based and primarily focused on education leadership and sharing best practices in education
The 2024-2025 program will mark the fifteenth year of the Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program. Participating locations for international applicants are Bangladesh, Botswana, Brazil, Finland, Greece, India, Indonesia, Israel, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Philippines, Senegal, Singapore, Taiwan, Uganda, and the United Kingdom.
Project Activities
a) Participate in graduate or advanced undergraduate level classes at a U.S. host university.
b) Observe classes, co-teach, and share their expertise with U.S. colleagues in U.S. primary or secondary schools.
c) Design and complete a research project of direct relevance to their educational practice.
d) Engage in other education and cultural activities while on program in the United States
Examples of past individual or group research projects include current methodologies for teaching English as a Second Language, math, science, music, and performing arts; working with special needs students; promoting civic engagement or service learning; environmental education; school management or leadership; development of a curriculum component or professional development workshops on other topics that meet a critical need in the candidate's home country.
Participating teachers will be placed in groups of approximately 20-25 at U.S. university schools of education. U.S. host universities will be responsible for designing a specialized orientation and seminars for the teachers and will ensure that each group has access to a variety of professional development activities. Faculty advisors will guide the participants in the refinement and implementation of their projects.
The program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs - ECA, and is administered by the International Research & Exchanges Board - IREX.
"My participation in this program was a unique experience and an opportunity for new contacts and knowledge. I feel blessed to have been chosen to participate in it. From the very first moment (before I depart for the United States), the organization of the program was ideal. Everything I experienced will be forever etched in my memory. The contacts I made there turned into friendships that will last a lifetime. My collaboration with fellow program colleagues, host university staff, faculty advisors, and U.S. partner educators throughout the semester at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), provided me with the best professional and personal development. Attending the school’s observations, I had the opportunity of learning various innovative practices. That was a great asset to be able to organize and implement pilot projects and new pedagogy ideas, bringing international perspectives to my classroom and school. I also gave an impromptu presentation about Greek culture and the Greek educational to both schools I visited. In addition to the knowledge and new teaching methods, through this program I had the opportunity to learn a lot about the culture, habits, and lifestyle of Americans and to visit many different places. I now feel ready to shape a more positive vision for our community and our world."
Panagiotis Kanychis, 2022 Fulbright Distinguished Teacher, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
View the official Fulbright DAI Program Announcement
Eligibility Requirements
Educators are nominated to participate in the Fulbright DAI Program based on their professional experience, academic training, inquiry project idea, and leadership potential. Final selection of Fulbright Distinguished Teachers is made by the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FFSB). The FFSB is an independent, presidentially appointed board that has oversight responsibility for all Fulbright academic exchange programs.
- Greek citizenship and residency. Candidates with dual citizenship (U.S./Greek) or permanent residence in the United States are not eligible.
- Applicants who have in the past five to eight years traveled to the U.S. for exchange programs such as the Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program (TEA), International Leaders in Education Program (ILEP), Study of the United States Institutes (SUSI) or International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) would need to demonstrate that the program has had significant impact on their professional practice and provide additional justification as to why they should be selected to return to the U.S. for the Fulbright FDAI program.
- Preference will be given to candidates with degree(s) from a recognized Greek University (AEI). In general, applicants with advanced degrees from the United States, Canada or Europe are over-qualified for the program.
- Assignment in 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. Private English Language tutors and teachers from schools primarily serving expatriates are not eligible.
- Full-time employment or a combination of positions that add up to full-time equivalence. Part-time teachers are not eligible.
- 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.
- By the start of the program, applicants must have completed at least three years of full-time teaching; however, the most competitive applicants will have at least five years’ experience.
- Evidence of leadership in the school or region.
- Potential for developing long-term linkages between U.S. and home country education institutions and schools.
- Preparedness for an intensive 5-month U.S.-based training program with very limited free time for personal travel or sightseeing.
- Willingness to work and live collaboratively with international peers to foster a positive learning community.
- Articulated ideas and ability to express ideas clearly and effectively.
- Excellent command of the English language. All candidates must have sufficient oral and written English language skills to audit university courses and to teach, lead seminars, and give presentations in U.S. schools.
- Preference will be given to applicants who are early to mid-career.
- Priority will be given to applicants with virtually no prior experience in the United States.
- Preference will be given to applicants who have not previously received a Fulbright grant.
- Priority will be given to candidates who have firm plans to enhance, update or develop courses and/or educational materials with a U.S. studies focus or component.
IMPORTANT NOTE: At present, the Greek Ministry of Education only grants unpaid leave for the purpose of program participation. Candidates have to take this into account when considering participation and ensure that family and home expenses can be covered during their absence.
"The whole experience I had in the USA as a Fulbrighter influenced me as a person and an educator at such a significant level that I am more confident to address either personal or professional challenges ...and, an aspect that I did not expect to happen, my followers on social media changed their -sometimes biased- minds about the USA through my frequent posts about american culture, everyday life, educational system. I am deeply thankful for the opportunity Fulbright Greece gave me!"
Ilianna Anagnostakou, 2021 Fulbright Distinguished Teacher, Arizona State University, Phoenix
Grant Benefits
The program is 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.
- International airline ticket and round-trip travel expenses between their home city and the point of departure for the United States.
- A welcome or farewell program in Washington D.C.
- Limited health and accident insurance. All participants will receive the Department of State's health insurance coverage (A+SPE) of $100,000 with $25 co-pay per medical visit, $75 co-pay per emergency entry or hospitalization for the duration of the program. Pre-existing conditions are not covered.
- Pre-departure orientation.
- Participation in the Annual Awards ceremony.
- J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa sponsorship.
- Membership in the online global community for all participants of U.S. government sponsored exchange programs (such as the Fulbright program).
- Invitations for Participation in Outreach and Train the Trainers Workshops.
- Opportunities to compete for small grants awards for essential teaching materials, to offer follow-on training for other teachers, collaborative projects between participating American schools, and other activities that build on the exchange experience.
Terms and Conditions
- Online submission of a complete application package is mandatory. A first evaluation and selection will take place at the Foundation prior to the interviews, based on the requirements and aims of the Fulbright DAI program.
- A Fulbright Selection Committee will interview candidates on a specific date. Shortlisted candidates will be informed of their interview appointments (time and date) with the Selection Committee by email. Interviews last for about 20 minutes. Interviews are conducted in English and held virtually.
- Candidates will be informed of their nomination status on the day immediately following the end of the interview cycle. Recommended candidates’ applications will be reviewed by a committee of educational experts in the U.S. who will make the final selection.
- Participants are expected to complete the entire five-month professional development program, to attend all activities and to complete their project.
- The focus of the program is on issues in teaching rather than educational administration.
- Travel arrangements will be made in agreement with the Foundation and the program organizers. Participants will be given the option of traveling after the end of their program during the 30-day grace period of the J-1 visa, provided they take care of all expenses and arrangement including additional health insurance coverage.
- Dependents (children and spouses) are not permitted to accompany international teachers during the program.
- Fulbright grant recipients must travel on a J-1 visa sponsored by the Fulbright Program. It is a condition of the visa that, after completion of the academic 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.
- Upon returning home, educators will be expected to share the knowledge andexperience gained on the program with educators and students in their home schools and within their communities.
Application Procedures
Once submitted, your application form will be automatically available to the Fulbright Foundation for review. You will receive a confirmation email in the week following your submission.
The Fulbright office in Athens must receive your completed application by Friday, May 17, 2024 at midnight including the following documents:
- Fulbright online application form;
- Copy of your Bachelor's degree or other degrees earned (in pdf. format, max 2 MB per file) with English translations. Transcripts are not required.
- Institutional Support and Reference Form to be completed by your school director / supervisor*;
- Leave Approval Form to be completed by the Regional Directorate*.
* Applicants may initially seek approval from their school to confirm its support for a leave request in the event they are awarded. The Regional Directorate will not approve leave until grant documents can be provided and we advise applicants to upload the Leave Approval Form blank until further notice.
Please do not hesitate to contact the Greek Program Coordinator for questions or additional documentation / instructions.
Contact
Greek Program Coordinator
The Fulbright Foundation
T 210 7241 811/2, ext. 3
E
Application Form
The application platform for the 2024-2025 Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Research Program will be accessible until May 17, 2024 at 23:59 EET (Greek time). Register as a new applicant by creating an account on https://fulbright.irex.org/
Program Calendar
IMPORTANT DATES FOR THE 2024-2025 FULBRIGHT DISTINGUISHED AWARDS IN TEACHING PROGRAM FOR GREEK TEACHERS
Tuesday, February 20, 2024– Friday, May 17, 2024
Application Period
All candidates must submit a complete application package of requested documents
Friday, May 17, 2024 at 11.59 PM EET
Application Deadline
May 20-24, 2024
Evaluation and First Selection
Wednesday, June 5, 2024 (TBC)
Interviews
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed through a virtual platform.
Friday, June 14, 2024
Notification of Results (finalists)
December 1, 2024
Notification of Final Selection
June 2025 (TBC)
AWARDS CEREMONY
Attendance is required
June/July 2025
Pre-Departure Orientation
Grantees are invited to the Foundation on the day of their U.S. Embassy visa appointment and interview
August – December 2025 (5 months)
Grant Implementation Period
January 2026
Final Grant Report & Debriefing Session
Throughout the year
Outreach and Train the Trainers Programs
Alumni will be invited to outreach programs to support potential candidates and share their experience with other professionals. Programs can take place at any time during the year and announcements will be made in due time.