FY 2027 Fulbright Specialist Program

The Fulbright Specialist Program is administered by the U.S. Department of State through its Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), a federal entity responsible for advancing mutual understanding between the United States and other countries through educational and cultural exchange. Established under the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act, the program represents a longstanding diplomatic initiative that promotes international collaboration, professional exchange, and institutional partnerships. The FY Fulbright Specialist Program funding opportunity seeks a single implementing organization to manage and administer program operations globally under a cooperative agreement structure. The purpose of the program is to support short-term, project-based exchanges of approximately 400 U.S. academics and professionals to countries around the world. These specialists engage in assignments lasting two to six weeks, contributing expertise to projects requested by U.S. embassies, Fulbright Commissions, and foreign host institutions. Activities include curriculum development, faculty training, institutional assessments, and professional consultations. The program emphasizes alignment with U.S. foreign policy priorities and aims to strengthen educational, economic, and cultural ties while building institutional capacity abroad. Funding for this opportunity is approximately $4,600,000, with one anticipated award and a period of performance of 56 months. The funding supports both participant and administrative costs, including travel, stipends, program management, recruitment, and monitoring and evaluation. Allowable costs include participant airfare, housing, honoraria, and administrative expenses such as staffing and outreach. While cost sharing is not required, it is encouraged and may strengthen an application. Certain funding restrictions apply, including prohibitions on specific geopolitical activities and compliance with federal regulations. Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based nonprofit organizations and public or private educational institutions. Applicants must demonstrate at least four years of experience in managing international exchange programs due to the size of the anticipated award. Organizations must also maintain active registrations in SAM.gov and possess a Unique Entity Identifier. Only one proposal per organization is permitted. Required application components include standard federal forms, a detailed proposal narrative, budget documentation, and supporting materials as outlined in the solicitation package. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by June 29, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. The review process includes technical eligibility screening, programmatic evaluation by ECA staff and panels, and final approval by the Assistant Secretary. Evaluation criteria include program quality, institutional capacity, monitoring and evaluation planning, cost effectiveness, and sustainability of outcomes. Successful applicants can expect an anticipated award start date of October 1, 2026. The cooperative agreement structure entails substantial involvement from the Department of State, including oversight of participant selection, program implementation, and communications. The recipient will collaborate closely with ECA to manage program operations, maintain the Fulbright Specialist register, match specialists to projects, and ensure compliance with reporting and performance monitoring requirements. The program operates on a rolling basis for project implementation, though the funding opportunity itself follows a fixed annual application cycle. Contact for this opportunity is Cecilia Kocinski-Mulder at the Department of State, reachable via email or phone for inquiries prior to submission.

Align proposal with ECA priorities and demonstrate strong international exchange experience; provide detailed M&E plan using MODE framework; emphasize cost effectiveness and institutional capacity