FY 2027 Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program

The Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program is administered by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs through its Office of Academic Exchange Programs. Rooted in the Fulbright-Hays Act of 1961, the program is designed to promote mutual understanding between the United States and other countries by supporting educational and cultural exchange initiatives. For over 80 years, Fulbright Teacher Exchanges have facilitated international engagement among educators, enabling the sharing of best practices, strengthening global partnerships, and advancing U.S. educational leadership abroad. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to select a single U.S.-based organization to design, implement, and oversee a comprehensive suite of Fulbright Teacher Exchange programs. These programs support both U.S. and international K-12 educators through professional development exchanges, equipping them with advanced teaching strategies, exposure to global education systems, and tools to enhance student outcomes. The initiative emphasizes fields critical to U.S. competitiveness, including STEM, artificial intelligence, and career readiness, while also promoting cultural diplomacy and international collaboration. Funding for this cooperative agreement is anticipated at approximately 10,500,000 dollars, supporting a performance period of 56 months from October 2026 through June 2031. The award recipient will manage multiple program components for U.S. and international educators, including short-term seminars, semester-long placements, and alumni engagement activities. Allowable costs include participant travel, stipends, program administration, orientation events, health insurance, and educational resources. While cost sharing is encouraged, there is no mandatory match requirement. Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based nonprofit organizations and public or private educational institutions with at least four years of experience administering international exchange programs. Applicants must demonstrate the organizational capacity to manage large-scale, multi-component programs and comply with all federal and Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board policies. Only one application per organization is permitted, and proposals must include required forms, a detailed narrative, and a comprehensive budget. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by June 29, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Required components include the SF-424 form, executive summary, program narrative, detailed budget, and budget justification. The review process evaluates proposals based on program planning, institutional capacity, cost-effectiveness, monitoring and evaluation strategies, and long-term impact. Final award decisions are made by the Assistant Secretary of State following panel review. The anticipated award date is October 1, 2026, with program implementation beginning shortly thereafter. Recruitment for program participants is expected to begin in winter 2026, with subsequent cycles continuing throughout the performance period. The program is expected to recur annually as part of ongoing federal appropriations, with potential renewal for additional fiscal years depending on performance and funding availability. Contact for this opportunity is Michael Kuban at the U.S. Department of State, reachable via email at KubanMM@state.gov or by phone at 202-733-8234.

Align proposal with foreign policy priorities, demonstrate strong monitoring and evaluation framework, and show capacity to manage large-scale international exchange programs