Number of recipients
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.
Teach up to 10 hours per week in undergraduate or graduate courses within area of specialization. Possible additional activities include conducting research, advising on curriculum and program development, assisting faculty and students with developing research skills, giving public talks, mentoring students, and otherwise engaging with the academic community. For teaching/research, teaching must be a minimum of 50 percent of proposed project.
Participants will undertake grant activities at one of the universities located in Dili, Timor-Leste.
The academic year runs from January to December. Grants should ordinarily commence at the beginning of the school year.
Preferred Disciplines
STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics)
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).
All teaching will be in English; additional language proficiency is not required. Translation services may be provided by host institutions depending on availability.
For teaching/research applicants without Tetum or other applicable language proficiency, feasibility of conducting research in English must be demonstrated in the proposal. Completion of the language proficiency report(s) is optional.
Applicants should have at least two years of teaching experience at U.S. universities and knowledge of university management. Teaching experience may include work at a community college, but teaching assistant work does not qualify.
Experience with local, regional or international scholarly publications preferred. Prior work experience in developing countries is desirable but not required. Applicants residing in Timor-Leste are not eligible to apply.
$4,050
$1,000 books and educational materials allowance (per semester) to be donated to the host institution (or other entity) upon grantee's departure
1. Estimate cost for monthly housing is $1200
2. Estimate Meals and incidentals, including transportation cost is about $1150
Language allowance of up to $500 upon submission of receipts
Please refer to the figures above for an estimate of total monthly Fulbright award benefits. Benefits may include a monthly base stipend, living and housing allowances, and additional one-time allowances. Benefits may vary based on a scholar's current academic rank (or professional equivalent), the city of placement, the type of award (teaching, teaching/research, or research), and the number of and duration of stay of accompanying dependents. Research-only or Professional Project grantees receive a standard stipend that is not adjusted for academic rank. In most cases, dependent benefits will not be provided to Flex grantees, or to grantees pursuing grants less than four months (or a semester) in length.
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 reserves the right to alter, without notice, participating countries, number of awards and allowances.
Timor-Leste is a vibrant, young democracy at the heart of Southeast Asia. It is still developing many institutions, including universities, but the country's development is generally moving in a positive direction. A Fulbright exchange in Timor-Leste presents the opportunity to make a real, impactful difference in advancing education for Timorese students to be able to expand economic prosperity and opportunity for the country. Timorese students rarely have the opportunity to engage with foreign students or professors, so they generally appreciate the presence of U.S. Fulbrighters and host institutions provide significant opportunities for Fulbrighters to make an impact at their university. The exchange also provides the opportunity to work closely with the U.S. Embassy in Dili and other U.S. State Department program participants, to create force multiplier impacts in advancing education outcomes. Fulbrighters generally enjoy life in Dili, a small sized city located right on the beach. There are many diverse restaurants, a popular shopping center, and several grocery stores with many international products and tropical local produce, and boasts world-renowned coffee. It is possible to travel across the country to the lush highlands, join snorkeling or diving excursions at Atauro island, and experience the warmth of the Timorese people and culture.
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.
The U.S. Embassy in Timor-Leste will provide an in-country orientation.
The U.S. Embassy in Timor-Leste will assist scholars and dependent(s) with obtaining visas and provide information on housing.
Email the East Asia and the Pacific Team with questions about applying.