Fulbright Leaders for Global Schools Program

School administrators are key to preparing the next generation with the skills and understanding necessary to address global challenges and succeed in a global economy. Outstanding education leaders develop innovative approaches to issues most important in their communities, share best practices, and build global networks to drive change that benefits all students. Collectively, administrators have a significant multiplier impact as they reach thousands of students across schools and districts.

The Fulbright Leaders for Global Schools Program is open to full-time school and district-level administrators at public, private (secular or faith-based), and charter schools in the United States, a U.S. territory, or within the Department of Defense Education Activity).

Applications are encouraged from administrators who demonstrate in their applications a commitment to remaining in the field of U.S. K-12 education following their participation in the Fulbright Leaders for Global Schools Program.

Program Specifications

• Cohorts travel to one of the participating host countries where they will engage in a series of enriching activities designed to highlight the strengths and strategies that local school systems use to address shared challenges. Activities will vary by country, but may include:
  • Visits to public and private schools
  • Presentations by non-governmental organizations
  • Workshops dedicated to understanding the educational system
  • Meetings with local education leaders, teachers, and students
  • Cultural tours and activities

Benefits

• Fulbright Teacher Exchanges include roundtrip airfare, visa support, accident and sickness medical coverage, accommodations, and meals related to the travel portions of each program. Participants receive a stipend to offset costs related to their travel. The stipend is not intended to replace a participant’s salary and will vary depending on the host country, duration of program, and other factors.

Eligible Countries

• Finland, Germany, Singapore, United Kingdom.

Eligibility Criteria

• To be eligible for the Fulbright Leaders for Global Schools Program, the applicant must:
  • be a U.S. citizen who resides in the United States, a U.S. territory, or who works on a campus within the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA).
  • have five or more years of full-time administrative experience in a K–12 setting (eligible titles include, but are not limited to: principal, assistant principal, superintendent, assistant superintendent, dean, associate/assistant dean, head of school, director).
  • be employed full-time as a K–12 school and/or district administrator at a U.S. K-12 educational institution or school district (including those in U.S. territories, or within the DoDEA). Full-time employment as an administrator is defined as having 90% or more of contracted time spent in an administrative function, such as providing school, staff and/or instructional leadership and developing, implementing, and evaluating district and school systems and policies.
  • hold at least a master’s degree.
  • Not have resided abroad for five or more consecutive years in the six-year period preceding the date of application (a candidate who has lived outside the United States, a U.S. territory, or a school associated with the Department of Defense Education Activity for nine months or more during a calendar year is deemed to have resided abroad for that year).

Selection Criteria

• Applications are encouraged from individuals who:
  • work in high-need schools or districts, defined as having a student population that is of high socioeconomic need, especially where 40% or more qualifies for Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FARMS).
  • have had ten or more years of full-time administrative experience in a U.S. K-12 educational institution or school district.
  • demonstrate commitment to remaining in U.S. K-12 education following their participation in the Fulbright Leaders for Global Schools Program.
  • have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
  • have not participated in another Fulbright Program and/or had recent significant professional experience abroad. Professional experience abroad includes study, teaching, research, or professional development. It does not include personal travel, undergraduate study abroad, leading student trips, religious or volunteer trips, service in the U.S. Armed Forces, or serving in the Peace Corps.

For more information, visit Fulbright Teacher Exchanges.