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.
Immerse yourself in Taiwan’s dynamic higher education landscape through this intensive two-week seminar. Designed for U.S. higher education administrators, this program offers a unique opportunity to gain a deep understanding of Taiwan's educational system, society, and culture.
Key activities include:
- Briefings and dialogue with select government officials.
- Visits to diverse university campuses.
- Cultural immersion activities.
- Networking 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 8-19, 2027 (Tentative)
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
Applicants must meet the following qualifications:
1. Professional Role:
- Senior-level university administrators (e.g. Directors, Deans, VPs, Provosts, Presidents) with substantial responsibility for enhancing their campus's international dimension; OR
- International education administrators (e.g. Study Abroad Advisors, Foreign Student Advisors, International Student Office Directors, and Foreign Student Admissions Staff) with at least three years of experience
2. Institutional Affiliation:
- Employed by a college, university, or a non-profit international education exchange organization.
3. Institutional Commitment:
- Must demonstrate institutional interest in increasing the number of Americans studying in Taiwan.
Preference is given to applicants without significant professional visits to Taiwan in the last two years.
Note: Directors of English language programs and instructors in such programs are not eligible.
Fulbright International Education Administrators Seminar Overview
Foundation for Scholarly Exchange (Fulbright Taiwan)
2025 IEA Feedback: https://journal.fulbright.org.tw/
Reports on IEA activities in the past: https://www.facebook.com/FulbrightTaiwan (search “IEA”)
Email the International Education Administrator Team (IEA) with questions about applying.
Grantees receive a comprehensive package including:
- Roundtrip international travel
- Lodging
- Per diem (to cover meals and incidental expenses)
- Group insurance
- Airport pick-up and drop-off service.
Taiwan offers a high quality of life with a cost of living significantly lower than that of major U.S. cities.
- Currency: The official currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (TWD/NT$).
- Buying Power: The average monthly cost of living is estimated around NT$26,829 (approx.US$894). Even with the 2025 minimum monthly wage at NT$28,590 (US$953), the affordability of daily essentials makes Taiwan incredibly livable.
- Banking: Cash is king at local markets, but credit cards and mobile payments are widely accepted in retail.
- Dining Out: Unlike in the U.S., eating out daily is affordable and common. A hearty dinner for two at a nice sit-down restaurant costs about NT$1,000 (US$33), while a daily food budget of just US$13–$17 allows you to eat very well.
- Comfort Food: A Big Mac meal costs around US$6.
- World-Class Transit: Taiwan’s Metro (MRT) systems are clean, safe, and reliable. A trip across the city by MRT costs about US$2.
- Taxis & Rides: Taxis start at just US2.80 (day time base fare).
- Healthcare: Taiwan’s healthcare system is consistently ranked among the best in the world. It is efficient, accessible, and incredibly affordable.
- Typical Costs: A visit to a clinic, including consultation and medication, typically costs between US$6.70 and $16.70. You can see a doctor without the anxiety of high deductibles or long wait times.
- Stay Connected: Unlimited data plans are affordable, and Wi-Fi is everywhere.
- Culture & Fun: A movie ticket costs about US$10–13. World-class museums like the National Palace Museum charge less than US$12 for admission.
- The Great Outdoors: Hiking is a national pastime in Taiwan. With countless trails just a short bus ride from the city center, accessing nature is completely free.
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$185) - 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."
- 2024-2025 U.S. Scholar: “The Fulbright Taiwan Office was so professional and efficient. I felt protected and taken care of. It is a country full of friendly and helpful people. Fulbright provides a life-changing experience for scholars. Fulbright changes lives-the lives of the grantees, and the lives of all who meet and interact with the grantees. Fulbright is a win-win situation; everyone benefits."
- 2024-2025 U.S. Scholar: “The Fulbright scholarship experience in Taiwan led to an inspiring year for myself and my family. Especially my son found himself comfortable in this new environment and made many new and good friends. Altogether our time here fostered a strong family bond which wasn't becoming nuclear or focused on ourselves, but rather extended and included many new friends we made here. The Fulbright scholarship allowed for a very productive year in terms of making new work, being able to think more and reflect on my work. But it also allowed me to create new connections within the art and academic world."
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.
Target Audience: Applications are welcomed from administrators, professors, and staff currently working in international education.
Program Nature:
This seminar follows a demanding, pre-arranged schedule featuring frequent campus tours and briefings. Consequently:
Post-Program: Participants will be asked to submit an evaluation upon completion.