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U.S. - ASEAN Visiting Scholar Program

Application Portal Link:

https://apply.iie.org/fvsp2025

*Before sending an application, read all the eligibility requirements and required documents before proceeding.

Reflecting an enduring commitment to the Asia-Pacific region, the United States has elevated its engagement across Asia as a strategic priority. A central tenet of that strategy is to work more closely with multilateral institutions such as ASEAN. The objective of the Fulbright U.S.-ASEAN Visiting Scholar Initiative is to deepen people-to-people engagement and strengthen our educational ties with the ten member nations of ASEAN, while specifically emphasizing the importance of ASEAN. To date, more than 80 scholars from all 10 ASEAN Member States have been awarded scholarships to pursue studies focused on a wide range of subjects including public health, the South China Sea, Indo-Pacific focus, ASEAN economic integration, banking governance, human trafficking, STEM education, food safety, and legal education.

The Fulbright U.S.–ASEAN Visiting Scholar Program is open to university faculty, foreign ministry or other government officials, and professional staff of the private sector, think tanks, and other NGOs in the ASEAN Member States. Selected Fulbright U.S.-ASEAN Visiting Scholars will travel to the United States for a maximum of four (4) months during the first half of 2026 (starting January to March), where they will carry out scholarly and professional research on priority issues to the U.S.-ASEAN relationship and ASEAN. Projects that are regional in scope and/or have clear implications for the entire ASEAN region will be given more emphasis than projects that are more narrowly focused.

The Fulbright Visiting Scholars may apply to conduct research that supports broad ASEAN initiatives, such as support for regional economic integration, expansion of maritime cooperation, promotion of opportunities for women, and addressing transnational challenges (including regional collaboration on issues like curbing human trafficking, countering violent extremism, preventing wildlife trafficking or promoting sustainable fishing). Eligible subjects include (but are not limited to) education, environmental science, financial market integration, food technology, information sciences, journalism, law, political science, public administration, public/global health, social work, sociology, statistics, trade and investment, trade facilitation, and applied linguistics.

This grant award will provide an international roundtrip airfare, qualifying university lab and research fees up to $ 3000, as necessary, a monthly stipend between $ 2710 and $ 3145, depending on the U.S. city, a one-time $ 1250 professional and settling-in allowance, and health and accident insurance. No dependent support will be provided.

Fulbright U.S. – ASEAN Visiting Scholar awards will provide:

    • A monthly stipend for grantees, between US $2,710 and $3,145/month, depending on the U.S. city.
    • A direct-flight, round-trip economy-class air ticket.
    • A one-time $1,250 Professional and Settling-in allowance.
    • Qualifying university lab and research fees up to $3,000, as necessary.
  • No dependent support will be available.

Eligibility Requirements:

  1. Philippine Citizenship and is residing in the Philippines at the time of application and selection process
  2. Applicants should be university faculty, foreign ministry and government officials, or professionals in the private sector, think tanks, and other NGOs whose work focuses on U.S.-ASEAN issues 
  3. Must have a significant record of scholarly or professional accomplishment 
  4. Proficiency in English 
  5. Must be able to conduct advanced research or university lecturing in the United States that begins no earlier than January 2026 and starts no later than March 2026
  6. Must be in good health to pursue research work in the United States 
  7. Applicants must be committed to returning to the Philippines immediately upon completion of the research program

Notes: 

  • Individuals holding dual citizenships, are permanent residents, or currently living in the United States are not eligible to apply 
  • Individuals who are presently in the U.S. for the purpose of studying, teaching, conducting research, and working and or who have received a Fulbright grant within the past five (5) years are ineligible 
  • Those who have been to the U.S. as a J-1 Exchange Visitor in the category of Professor or Research Scholar within the past two (2) years are also ineligible 

Preferences will be given to the qualified applicants who have not had recent and substantial experience in the United States. Grants are not for the principal purpose of attending conferences or completing doctoral dissertations. 

Required Documents:

  1. Completed online application at https://apply.iie.org/fvsp2025 
    • Select/Change award to Fulbright U.S. - ASEAN Visiting Scholar Program on the Award Information section found on the Country Information tab 
  1. Updated Curriculum Vitae/Résumé (maximum of 6 pages) 
  2. Project Proposal - a detailed statement of the proposed activity for research or lecturing at a U.S. institution (3 to 5 pages) 
  3. Writing Samples of no more than 20 pages and a Bibliography (recommended) 
  4. Letter of Invitation from the U.S. Host Institution (strongly preferred but not required) 
  5. Three (3) Letters of Recommendation (Forms are found on the online application portal) 
  6. NBI Clearance secured not earlier than six (6) months before the application 
  7. Scanned copy of official or certified true copy of Transcript of Records 
  8. Scanned copy of official or certified true copy of Diploma/s 

 

All documents must be uploaded to the application portal. While a Letter of Invitation from the U.S. Host Institution is not required, all applicants are encouraged to initiate and contact their prospective host in the U.S. 


For questions, please contact the Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the email subject: ATTN: Fulbright U.S. - ASEAN Visiting Scholar Initiative Program 2025 - 2026.

  • Application period for the 2024-2025 Fulbright U.S.-ASEAN Visiting Scholar Program is NOW OPEN. Deadline for applications is on October 15, 2024.