U.S.-Taiwan International Education Administrators Awards
Taiwan
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.
Participate in a two-week group seminar with representatives from universities, private sector agencies and organizations, and selected government agencies. The program is designed to familiarize U.S. higher education administrators with Taiwan's higher education system, society and culture. It will consist of briefings, campus visits, appointments with select government officials, cultural activities, and meetings with international education professionals in Taiwan. Click here to view a sample itinerary from the IEA Seminar to Taiwan.
Various institutions throughout Taiwan
Two weeks
March 9-20, 2026 (Tentative)
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
Applicants must meet the following qualifications:
- Senior-level university administrators (directors, deans, vice presidents, provosts and presidents) whose current role includes a substantial responsibility for enhancing the international dimension of their campus, or
- Study abroad advisors with at least three years of experience
And:
- Affiliated with a two- or four-year college or university or a non-profit international education exchange organization; and
- Without significant professional visits to Taiwan in the last two years; and
- Demonstrate institutional interest in increasing the number of Americans studying in Taiwan
Directors of English language programs and instructors in such programs are not eligible.
Applicants must clearly demonstrate that these criteria have been met (in the curriculum vitae/resume and/or the project statement) in order to be considered eligible.
Grantees receive roundtrip travel, lodging, per diem to cover meals and incidental expenses, group insurance, and airport pick-up and drop-off service.
Currency: The New Taiwan dollar is the official currency of Taiwan. The currency code is TWD and this is commonly abbreviated as NT$ or NTD$. Cash payment is common in Taiwan though many shops also accept credit cards, Easy Card and iPass. Checks are not normally used in Taiwan for payment of everyday expenses. Most banks offer foreign currency exchange and bank services in NT dollars. Foreigners possess the Alien Resident Certificate can open a Taiwanese bank account. The minimum monthly wage is NT$27,470 (US$916) and the average regular monthly income is NT$46,227 (US$1,541) in 2024. The minimum cost of living is NT$25,218 (US$841) in 2024. The cost of living is low – as it is really affordable for foreigner to live, travel, and study.
Transportation: There are currently five MRT systems in Taiwan: Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taoyuan, New Taipei and Taichung. Urban train system is inexpensive and efficient - you can get to one side of the city from the other for NT$60 (US$2). Bus fares cost even cheaper for NT$15-25 (US$0.5-0.9). During daytime, the starting amount for a cab in Taipei is NT$85 (US$2.8), after that, it is NT$5 (US$0.2) for every 20 meters traveled. An Easy Card or iPass can be purchased at all MRT stations and convenience stores. They not only can get through all the public transportation around Taiwan, but also can be used as a payment card in many stores. The Easy Card and iPass cost NT$100 (US$3.3). After you got the card, you can top up as many amounts as you want via machines in the MRT station or the convenience stores.
Rent: Housing standards here are generally quite acceptable, but apartments are usually smaller than you might be used to, especially in big cities like Taipei. Rent varies considerably depending on location, sharing arrangements, and quality of apartment. The majority of our international students in Taipei and Taichung pay between NT$8,000 (US$267) and $16,000 (US$533) per month. Elsewhere, rent is cheaper. Apartments usually come unfurnished, but sometimes the landlord or the previous occupants leave basic furnishings. Air conditioning is common, but central heating is very rare as there is little need for it.
Tuition: Public School is free in Taiwan from Grade 1 to Grade 12 (as it is compulsory for all children to attend school for 12 years). The annual cost for international schools is between US$20,000 and US$35,000. The cost for undergraduate degree each year is between US$1,800 and US$2,500 and also the cost for the graduate degree each year is between US$1,800 and US$5,000.
Phone and Internet: Some of the largest mobile providers in Taiwan are Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile, FarEasTone, and T Star. Their websites have detailed price plans and the full list of services available to customers. A mobile phone contract will give expats a much more permanent solution to communications in Taiwan, with more services and talk time with monthly bills. Most apartment rentals include cable and internet service.
Food: Taiwan is world-known for its great varieties of cuisine, and the cost is quite affordable. You can easily find local rice, noodle, soup, or dumplings dish for between NT$40 (US$1.3) and NT$100 (US$3.3). A Big Mac, fries, and soda set from McDonald’s costs about NT$180 (US$6). Dinner for two in a good restaurant will cost about NT$1,000 (US$33.3). Supermarkets sell local and imported product at average prices. Finding vegetarian food is not very difficult. The cost on food and drinks is about NT$400-500 (US$13.3-16.7) per day.
Entertainment: Movie tickets cost about NT$300-400 (US$10-$13.3) base on which city you are living. The cost for the Taipei Fine Arts Museum (TFAM), the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), or the National Place Museum are NT$30 (US$1), NT$100 (US$3.3), and NT$350 (US$11.7) admission respectively. Taiwan has many great hiking trails and most of them are free for charge. If you have an Easycard or credit card, you can rent a Ubike in all major cities of Taiwan. The process is very easy and the rate is affordable.
Cost of Health Insurance: With the comprehensive medical facilities, convenient clinical visits, friendly service attitude and state-of the art-equipment, medical costs are very competitive in comparison with other advanced countries. Taiwan has become a leading choice for oversea medical treatments. The health system in Taiwan is extremely advanced, convenient, and affordable. Clinics are readily accessible, every visit costs about NT$200-N$500 (US$6.7-US$16.7) and this covers all the bills including medication.
Taiwan
With a thriving economy, buoyed by rapid technological advancement, a healthcare revolution, and a vibrant media landscape, Taiwan boasts top global universities and academic departments equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.
There are three types of higher education institutions in Taiwan: private and public universities, junior colleges, and technical institutes. There are about 1.3 million students of higher education attending more than 160 institutions. Taiwan seeks to bolster the quality of instructors in the coming years. Through these efforts, Taiwan believes a comprehensive curriculum will be truly beneficial for students entering the job market.
Taiwan's health care system is often measured against the world’s best. With its comprehensive medical facilities, convenient clinical visits, quality medical system, friendly service attitude, and state-of-the-art-equipment, medical costs are very competitive in comparison with other advanced countries. Taiwan has become a leading choice for overseas medical treatments. Our U.S. grantees are offered Taiwan National Health Insurance during their grant periods after receiving the Taiwan Alien Resident Certificate (ARC). Also, they are exempted from Taiwan visa application fee (US$160) - it also applies to their dependents, and Taiwan Income Tax on the Fulbright stipend. In addition, there are airport pick-up and drop-off services provided.
Taiwan is considered to be a very safe country and has high quality of life with great food, comfortable accommodations, extremely convenient transportation (there are metro systems in Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taoyuan, New Taipei, and Taichung), fast internet, and beautiful scenery. The cost of living in Taiwan is relatively low and is a great place to learn Chinese (almost everyone here speaks Mandarin Chinese). The weather is nice most of time throughout the year. Winters are not too cold and summers have lots of sunshine.
The academic year runs from mid-September to late June. The first semester is from September to January; the second semester is from late January or early February to late June (depending on the lunar calendar).
- 2017-2018 U.S. Scholar: “Our year in Taiwan has given me and my family a tremendous appreciation for the people of Taiwan, and we are grateful for their hospitality. It also transformed my kids into curious world travelers. Get LINE social messaging app. It is the best way to contact people in Taiwan. Local sports centers are great, including swimming classes for kids. People are very friendly...start up a conversation!” “Apartment brokers can help find housing when you are still abroad. Get an international drivers license before leaving the US (and change to a "driving visa" in Taiwan). Get a local phone immediately. The Taiwanese people are very friendly and welcoming to Americans and foreigners in general.”
- 2020-2021 U.S. Scholar: “The food in Taiwan is delicious and affordable. The MRT is very convenient. Taxis are cheap. The National Central Library's Center for Chinese Studies is very accommodating. It provides CCS scholars with individual offices and the staff are very helpful in assisting scholars in their research by finding sources for them.”
- 2020-2021 U.S. Scholar: “Taiwan is an incredibly welcoming place. It feels like if you are kind to people, they will be kind to you. I really had absolutely no issues with Taiwanese culture even though I don't speak Mandarin.”
- 2021-2022 U.S. Scholar: "The Fulbright experience exceeded my expectations magnificently. The vision and activity of Fulbright Taiwan left me impressed at every turn, and I feel deeply invested in the future of the program. I have never been so well supported at any point in my career."
- 2021-2022 U.S. Scholar: "The Fulbright experience has more than met my expectations in many aspects: building knowledge and connections, rejuvenating teaching and research, quality of life in Taiwan, establishing log-term collaborations and friendships."
- 2022-2023 U.S. Scholar: "I want to extend my personal and professional appreciation for the support from all the people at Fulbright Taiwan. This opportunity has provided me with significant insights, amazing learning opportunities, strong international collegial relationships, and unforgettable memories."
- 2022-2023 U.S. Scholar: “My time in Taiwan has been incredibly transformative, not just in terms of my academic pursuits but also in fostering significant personal growth. Immersed in a new cultural environment, I embraced the opportunity to expand my horizons, challenge my preconceptions, and broaden my perspectives. There are several experiences that have had a profound influence on my personal life: my venture into learning drawing and martial arts, and my travel experiences. During my travels, I have encountered numerous remarkable Taiwanese individuals. Their kindness and hospitality have touched me deeply. I have frequently shared my experiences on social media with my friends so that they gain a greater understanding of the magnificence of Taiwan and the remarkable people who live on this island. It has expanded my understanding of the world and offered an environment in which I could become a more open-minded and well-rounded individual. I am greatly thankful to Fulbright for granting me the opportunity to spend 10 months in Taiwan.”
- 2023-2024 U.S. Scholar: “When preparing for the Fulbright trip to Taiwan, I had many questions regarding visa, housing, health certificate, etc. and contacted the Fulbright Taiwan Office. They were very responsive to my questions and made my preparation much easier. Service offered by the Fulbright Taiwan is the first-class!”
- 2023-2024 U.S. Scholar: “My experience in Taiwan has been incredibly enriching. The Fulbright Taiwan office has done an excellent job supporting the grantees. I couldn’t think of anything more to improve.”
- 2023-2024 U.S. Scholar: “I have only good things to say about the Fulbright experience. The staff here in Taiwan at FSE were top-notch, my host institution did an excellent job in taking care of me, and providing me with office space and opportunities for getting to know faculty and make presentations."
Visit the Research & Reflections Journal website to see Fulbright Taiwan grant recipients on sharing of their works, results, and experiences in Taiwan from previous years.
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.
All applications from administrators, professors, and staff in international education will be considered.
The program is not intended as a vehicle for initiating or implementing a U.S. institution's linkage programs, student recruitment, or the establishment of branch campuses because this program has a demanding and intensive pre-arranged schedule including frequent campus tours. There is little time available for individual projects or appointments, unless undertaken before or after the program at the grantee's expense.
Participants will be asked to submit an evaluation at the end of their program.
Accompanying dependents are not permitted.