Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)
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 courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels in areas of specialization. Assist with graduate student tutoring and preparation of teaching materials, as requested. Scholars may also be invited to give lectures at other Turkish institutions as a guest speaker. Grantees can engage in voluntary research activties of their own choosing at their host institution.
Grantees can teach at public or foundation universities. Institutional affiliations are subject to the approval of the Turkish Fulbright Commission.
4.5 to 9 months
One-semester grants must begin in September 2023 or February 2024; two-semester grants must begin in September 2023.
Applications are sought in all above mentioned disciplines and their relevant sub-fields.
The Turkish Fulbright Commission provides help and guidance to the grantees in finding housing. Grantees arrange their own housing and can always contact the American Programs Officer at the Turkish Fulbright Commission for advice.
If housing is not provided by the host institution, the grantee will receive an allowance of up to $560/month. However, grantees based in Istanbul will receive an allowance of up to $585/month.
Please note that the actual amount will vary according to the grantee’s rental agreement.
A letter of invitation is not required at the time of the application; however, candidates will be required to submit a valid letter when they receive the award.
English is sufficient for teaching. Basic knowledge of Turkish can be helpful, but is not required.
Applicants should be established scholars or professionals in their area of specialization. Professionals and artists with less than seven years’ experience should apply to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.
Please contact the Turkish Fulbright Commission for additional information and with questions:
Mr. Sahin KAYA
American Programs Assistant
amprog@fulbright.org.tr
For grantees who will be based outside of Istanbul; $2,240 monthly base stipend and $840 monthly subsistence allowance.
For grantees who will be based in Istanbul; $2,340 monthly base stipend and $875 monthly subsistence allowance.
Round-trip airfare between the United States and city of assignment is provided for all grantees on a 4.5 month grant to a nine-month grant.
Dependents: Grantees may bring their dependents with them, but there are special criteria to be recognized as official dependents during their stay in the county. For grantees with nine-month awards, round-trip airfare between the United States and grantee’s city of assignment is also provided for one official dependent. However, official dependents must be in country for at least 80 percent of the grant period in order to qualify for the round-trip airfare benefit. Grants for less than a full academic year (nine-months) include airfare only for the grantee. In those cases, dependent airfare will not be provided.
Grantees receive $750 as a one-time Settling-in (Relocation) Allowance.
Excess Baggage Allowance up to $250.
Books and Incidentals Allowance of up to $500.
Tuition reimbursement for one accompanying school-age dependent (K-12) of up to $20,000.
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.
Housing: Housing may be provided by the host institution, but in these cases the grantee will be responsible for utilities which can be paid from their grant benefits.
If housing is not provided by the host institution, the grantee will receive an allowance of up to $560/month. However, grantees based in Istanbul will receive an allowance of up to $585/month.
Please note that the actual amount will vary according to the grantee’s rental agreement.
Turkish Language Allowance up to $500.
Work and Residency Permit application fees are covered by the Turkish Fulbright Commission.
The costs associated with acquiring any official documentation required for the residency permit application, including valid health insurance in Turkey, are also covered by the Turkish Fulbright Commission.
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.
Turkey
The grant period is from September 2023 to June 2024 and projects must begin either in the Fall or in the Spring semester. There are exceptions for the Fulbright Distinguished Scholar Award.
These exceptions are:
- Three-month grants can begin anytime between September 2023 and March 2024
- 9+ month grants must begin in September 2023.
- For grant periods more than 3 months and less than 9 months, the end of the grant period cannot be after June 2024.
All applications will be evaluated by a committee of scholars, not only for their academic and professional excellence, but also for their potential to increase mutual understanding between the United States and Turkey.
Letters of invitation will be taken into account, for both teaching and research awards, but final decisions regarding scholar affiliations will be made by the Turkish Fulbright Commission. Candidates who do not have an affiliation will be assisted by the Turkish Fulbright Commission to arrange one.
The academic year in Turkey consists of two semesters: September to January and February to June, with the exception of a few universities where Fall semester is from October to December and Spring semester is from January to May. Candidates can obtain detailed information about the Turkish education system by visiting the website of the Fulbright Commission in Turkey. For a list of universities in Turkey, please also see this website.
An Orientation Program Meeting in Ankara is held for grantees in late September before the academic year starts in Turkey. The Orientation Meeting consists of a variety of activities including lectures on Turkish culture, recent political developments in the country, as well as cultural activities. In addition, a Mid-Year Evaluation Meeting is organized to evaluate the grantees’ work and discuss their progress with their research projects. The End of Year Meeting is held towards the end of the academic year to allow grantees to share their academic and cultural experiences in Turkey and to evaluate their overall Fulbright experience.
Depending on the timing during the academic year and the teaching and research responsibilities of the grantee, grantees may also attend conferences organized by other Fulbright commissions.
- If a grantee wants to participate in the annual Fulbright Berlin Seminar held by the German-American Fulbright Commission, the Turkish Fulbright Commission provides support.
- Grantees also have the option to contact their colleagues in Europe through the Fulbright Inter-Country Travel Grant Program, supported by various Fulbright commissions in Europe. If invited to participate in this program, associated costs are often paid by the inviting institutions and Commissions.
Prospective candidates are also encouraged to visit the Turkish Fulbright Commission’s YouTube channel where they can find videos with former grantee experiences and testimonials.
Candidates who are interested in applying for a grant in Turkey can always contact Mr. Sahin KAYA, the American Programs Assistant at the Turkish Fulbright Commission, at amprog@fulbright.org.tr for further information.
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.
Grants may be completed at the institutions (public or foundation) that have the relevant departments. A letter of invitation is preferred, but not required. Candidates who do not have an affiliation will be assisted by the Turkish Fulbright Commission to arrange one.
Candidates should encourage collaboration and learning with host country partners through their teaching and proposed curriculum. Ideally, the candidate has plans to contribute academically, socially, and culturally to their teaching environment.