Austrian-American Educational Commission - Fulbright German Language Teaching Assistantship Program

What the Fulbright FLTA Program gives you

You will spend nine months as a teaching assistant for German on a US college campus. Your accommodation, meals and tuition fees will be covered. You will assist experienced lecturers with teaching German for approximately 20 hours per week. In return, you will receive free enrolment on two courses per term, a small monthly stipend (a fixed monthly payment) from the host university, and a travel and relocation allowance of 2,000 EUR. The package also includes health and accident insurance, a J-1 exchange visa applied for on your behalf, and induction seminars in Austria and the USA. The programme is run by Fulbright Austria (the Austrian-American Educational Commission) in collaboration with the Institute of International Education in New York. There is one catch: the J-1 visa stipulates that you must return to Austria for two years before you can apply for a US work permit or a Green Card.

Who can apply

• Nationality: You must be an Austrian citizen. US citizens and persons with permanent residence permits are not eligible to apply.
• Degree: You must have obtained at least a bachelor’s degree from a recognised Austrian university, university of applied sciences (FH) or university of teacher education (PH). If you are in your final semester at an FH or PH, you may apply, but you must have completed your degree by June.
• Field of study: Applicants from all disciplines are welcome to apply. We particularly welcome students studying German, English or American Studies, German as a Foreign Language, Linguistics, Translation Studies and teacher training.
• English: Your English is very good. You do not need to take the TOEFL test for your application. This is only required once you have been admitted, and Fulbright will provide you with a voucher enabling you to take the test free of charge.
• Teaching experience: Useful, but not essential.
• No previous Fulbright grant: If you have already received a Fulbright scholarship, you are not eligible to apply.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online via the IIE platform between 15 November and 15 January. The scholarship commences in August. Along with the application form, you must submit academic transcripts, degree certificates, three letters of reference, a CV and three short essays. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

How realistic are your chances?

This programme has very strict eligibility criteria: only Austrian citizens who have completed a degree and wish to teach German in the USA are eligible, and there are only a limited number of places available each year. If you meet these requirements, have a very good command of English and can write compelling essays on your role as a teacher and cultural ambassador, your chances are good. Applicants with a background in linguistics, education or German studies best fit the desired profile.