Fulbright Scholar Award

All Disciplines

Philippines

Application Deadline
closed
Award Code
25135-PH
Activity Type
Research
Research includes activities involving scientific research, qualitative research, quantitative research, and practice-based research, including artistic research. Research can take place in locations such as the laboratory, the field, the archives, or an artist residency. It can be experimental, clinical, or applied. It can include examining policies, systems, theories, methods, interactions, and works of art and music, with the objective to evaluate or develop new knowledge or works. Quantifiable (tangible) outcomes can include publications (books, journal articles, scripts, etc.), conference presentations, artistic and musical compositions, exhibitions, performances, films, and patents.
Teaching
Teaching includes classroom teaching, as well as giving guest lectures, workshops, and seminars, and engaging in other related activities. Classroom teaching is typically at the undergraduate and graduate level, and courses may be designed by the scholar or prescribed by the host institution and may be taught or co-taught by the scholar. The teaching load varies by award, as well as the host institution. Scholars may also consult on building research capacity, advise graduate students, and assist with thesis advising.
Teaching/Research
A combination of teaching and research as described above. Refer to the award description for any specifications on percentages of time that should be devoted to teaching vs research.
Degree Requirements
Ph.D. (or other terminal degree) not required
Career Profile
Artists
Awards are open to individuals who have more than seven years of experience in an artistic profession.
Early Career Academics
Awards are open to those who have been working in the capacity of a teacher or scholar for no more than seven years.
Mid-Career Academics
Awards are open to those who have been working in the capacity of a teacher or scholar for more than seven, and less than 13, years.
Professionals
Awards are open to individuals who have more than seven years of experience in a particular profession.
Senior Academics
Awards are open to those who have been working in the capacity of a teacher or scholar for more than 13 years.
Community College Faculty
Community College Faculty

Number of recipients

Approximately
3
Award Start Period
August 2026 or January 2027
Award Length
3 months, or 4 months, or 5 months
Flex Option
No
Multi-Country/Area Award
No
Disciplines
Projects are sought in all disciplines
Scholars selected for this award can choose to
Advise and/or mentor students
Assist in faculty, curriculum, and/or program development
Conduct a research project designated by the host institution
Conduct a research project of the applicant’s choosing
Teach graduate and/or undergraduate courses designated by the host institution
Teach graduate and/or undergraduate courses of the applicant’s choosing

In addition to being a prestigious academic exchange program, the Fulbright Program is designed to expand and strengthen relationships between the people of the United States and citizens of other nations and to promote international understanding and cooperation. To support this mission, Fulbright Scholars may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host community, in addition to their primary activities‎.

Award Activity

Teach one undergraduate or graduate course (3 hours a week), conduct research or do a combination of both in an area of expertise in collaboration with Philippine academic and research institutions. In addition, grantees may direct graduate student theses and consult on curriculum, program and faculty development and conduct seminars and workshops. Preference will be given to research activities that involve collaboration with local scholars. Grantees may be invited to give lectures or seminars at other Philippine institutions.

Applicants who apply with Teaching/Research projects will only teach 1 course per week for a maximum of 3 hours. For those who apply to teach only, they must teach 2 courses, for no more than 6 hours/week. 

Locations Detail

Any appropriate institution. Affiliation with institutions in some parts in the Visayas will require Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF) Board approval. Travel/teaching/research in any part of Mindanao is restricted. Applicants are encouraged to affiliate with universities outside of Metro Manila.

Award Length and Period

Four months for teaching and five months for teaching/research grants; three to four months for research grants

Grants must begin in either August 2025 or January 2026.

Areas of Interest

Study of the U.S., Philippines Study, civic education, city and community urban development, democratic governance, environmental sustainability, human rights, information and communication technology, international law, international relations and transnational issues, international trade and finance, STEM fields and peace and conflict studies.

Special Features

Fulbright East Asia Pacific Regional Travel Program

As conditions allow, Fulbright Scholars in the East Asia and Pacific (EAP) region may have the opportunity to apply for funds to support short-term (3-14 days) travel to other countries in the EAP region for activities such as lectures, workshops, graduate or faculty seminars, master classes or recitals, curricular advising, or panel presentations. EAP Regional Travel Program funding covers transportation only. Regional Travel Program activities/host sites should not be included in the initial Fulbright application. Scholars may start the process of seeking out invitations for short-term activities in other EAP countries once notified that they have been selected for a Fulbright grant but will only be able to apply for travel program funds, conditions permitting, once they have actively started their Fulbright grant in their host country. Scholars on Flex grants are not eligible for the regional travel grant.

All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).

Citizenship/Residency Requirement
Not applicable – all U.S. citizens are eligible to apply, regardless of dual citizenship or residency.
Invitation Requirement
A letter of invitation is preferred.
Language Proficiency Requirements
None, English is sufficient
Additional Language Requirement

All teaching will be in English. Research can be conducted in English; proficiency in Tagalog or other local language can be helpful but is not required.

Additional Qualification Information

Both academic and professional applicants for teaching grants must have at least three years of teaching experience at a university, college or community college at the time of application. Teaching assistantships do not count toward this three-year requirement. Non-academic professionals must have attained at least five years of an extensive record of scholarly or professional publications.

Additional Comments

Selected applicants should initiate and coordinate with proposed Philippine institutions and their faculty about possible local housing options.

You may be asked to participate in an interview as part of the in-country selection process.

Award Allowances

Research grants:

• All recipients: $1,750 per month

Teaching or teaching/research grants:

• Assistant professor or professional equivalent: $1,750 per month

• Associate/Full professor: $2,200 per month

• Note: All stipend amounts are based on scholars’ current positions within their current affiliations/universities and are disbursed in Philippine currency.

Monthly living allowance of $500 per month for grantees whose grants are for four months or longer and who are accompanied by dependent(s)

Monthly living allowance of $400 per month for grantees whose grants are for three months or unaccompanied by dependents

Housing allowance of $500 per month for those based in Metro Manila and $400 for those based in the provinces will be provided for grantees to arrange their own housing.

The stipend and allowances are sufficient to cover living expenses in the Philippines.

Estimated Travel and Relocation Allowance for Grantee

• Roundtrip international travel (budget economy class) arranged by Fulbright commission

• Roundtrip international travel (budget economy class) for one dependent for grantees with award of four months or longer if the dependent stays in the country at least 80 percent of the grant period

• Roundtrip domestic air travel for the scholar based outside Metro Manila and one dependent

• Relocation: $450-$750, depending on the length of grant 

• Excess baggage: up to $470, provided at the end of the grant after submission of final requirements

Estimated Book and Research Allowance

Books and incidentals: $1,000 provided in two installments

Do you offer additional dependent benefits
Yes

For grantees whose grants are for four months or longer, tuition assistance of $1,000 per dependent attending school in grades K-12, subject to the availability of resources of the Philippine-American Educational Foundation, if the dependent stays in the country at least 80 percent of the grant period.

Dependents must accompany the grantee for at least 80% of the period abroad and a minimum of one semester in order to qualify for additional dependent benefits. Dependent benefits are not provided to Flex grantees.

Special Award Benefits

Grantees receive $150 for language study or materials.

• Three to four nights' accommodation upon arrival in the country and airport transfer

• $1,000 in-country travel allowance, provided in two installments

Final grant amounts will be determined prior to the start of the academic year and are subject to the availability of funds. The United States Department of State and the Fulbright Commission in the host country reserve the right to alter, without notice, participating countries, number of awards and allowances.

Philippines

What is life like for Fulbrighters in your country?

The Philippines is a place of natural wonders and dynamic cultures gathered along the second largest archipelago in the world set in the western Pacific Ocean.

The Philippines is an incredibly diverse nation in terms of language, religion, ethnicity and also geography. Providing quality primary education, maternal health and mitigating the effects of climate change pose the biggest development and economic challenges in the country.

The Philippine Commission on Higher Education regulates 2,229 higher education institutions that can be classified as public and private. The Philippine higher education system has strong similarities in structure to the U.S. higher education system.

The academic year runs from August to May with the first semester running August to December and the second semester running January to May.

Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.