Fulbright Specialist Program
The Fulbright Specialist Program offers opportunities for established U.S. professionals and academics to share expertise, gain international experience, and develop collaborative partnerships through short-term project-based exchanges at institutions around the globe.
About the Fulbright Specialist Program
The Fulbright Specialist Program (FSP), part of the larger Fulbright Program, was established in 2001 by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). The program is a field-driven initiative in which foreign host institutions conceptualize and design projects of interest within an eligible discipline that represent a priority for their respective organizations. These projects are then matched with a highly qualified U.S. academic or professional, who shares their expertise and assists with strengthening linkages between U.S. and foreign host institutions. Participating host institutions benefit by:
- Gaining global perspectives from experienced U.S. academics and professionals;
- Executing projects that require a rapid response or flexible timeline through short-term, year-round exchanges; and
- Building sustained relationships with individuals and institutions in the U.S.
Institutions that may be eligible to submit a Fulbright Specialist project proposal include, but are not limited to:
- Institutions of Higher Education;
- Government Institutions (ministries or agencies, courts, parliamentary or congressional bodies);
- Cultural Institutions (conservatories, museums, etc.);
- Non-Governmental Organizations including issue-centered institutions and think tanks; and
- Medical Institutions (public health organizations, teaching hospitals, etc.)
Institutions that have previously hosted a Fulbright Specialist are reminded that eligibility to apply is contingent upon the completion and submission of the Fulbright Specialist Project Final Report. The Fulbright Commission will also request updates or progress reports on previous projects as part of the evaluation and review process.
Eligible Disciplines:
Projects designed by prospective host institutions should focus on one of the following eligible disciplines:
- Agriculture
- American (U.S.) Studies
- Anthropology
- Archeology
- Biology Education
- Business Administration
- Chemistry Education
- Communications and Journalism
- Computer Science and Information Technology
- Economics
- Education
- Environmental Science
Law - Library Science
- Math Education
- Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies
- Physics Education
- Political Science
- Public Administration
- Public/Global Health
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Urban Planning
All project proposals will be vetted to comply with the U.S. Department of State's publication requirements per WH EO 14151
Fulbright Specialist Program Activities:
The Fulbright Specialist Program encourages host institutions to tailor projects to their own needs. However, all projects should have an education or training focus. Due to the short-term nature of the exchange, projects should have concrete objectives that can be achieved over the course of the Specialist’s visit. Past Specialists have supported institutions by conducting activities such as:
- Delivering seminar or workshop
- Consulting on faculty or workforce development
- Developing academic or training curricula and materials
- Lecturing at the graduate or undergraduate level
- Conducting needs assessments or evaluations for a program or institution
Personal research projects, including clinical medical research or projects involving patient contact, are not eligible for funding under the Fulbright Specialist Program.
Program Parameters:
- All exchanges must range from 14 to 42 days in length, including weekends, holidays, and travel days.
- Projects are restricted to one country, and all project activities must take place in the country requesting the project.
- Each project is limited to only one Fulbright Specialist grantee.
Application Process for Host Institutions
Prospective host institutions with a project proposal date that starts no earlier than August 01, 2027 and begins no later than December 01, 2027, should complete the online application at the Fulbright Specialist Program application portal at https://world-learning-npsp.my.site.com/FSPHost/ by November 06, 2026, 23:59 PM Manila Standard Time.
Prospective host institutions should direct all questions to the Fulbright Commission in the Philippines via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and use the email subject ATTN: Fulbright Specialist Program.
Individuals Interested in Serving as a Fulbright Specialist
Individuals interested in serving as a Fulbright Specialist must meet all eligibility requirements including:
- Be a U.S. citizen; and
- Have significant experience in one of the eligible disciplines, as demonstrated by professional, academic, or artistic achievements.
For a complete list of eligibility requirements and information on how to apply to join the Fulbright Specialist Roster, please visit https://fulbrightspecialist.worldlearning.org/ or contact World Learning: Fulbright Specialist Program at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.