Educational
Seminars
A program of the Bureau of
Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), U.S. Department of State,
implemented by American Councils for International Education.
What
are the costs of this program?
How
competitive is this program?
My
spouse is also an educator. Is there an application for couples?
Can I bring family with me while I am on-program?
In the two way
exchanges (Argentina, Brazil, Thailand and Uruguay), what does ‘hosting’
entail?
I would
like to travel but am not able to host. Can I still apply for a two way
program?
What
are some examples of past collaboration between partners?
Can I
apply for more than one program?
What
programs are available for elementary teachers?
I am a guidance
counselor/librarian/other school staff. Am I eligible as an administrator?
I am a
certified teacher but not currently teaching. Am I eligible?
I teach
ESL. What programs am I eligible for?
I am a faculty member
at a community college. What programs am I eligible for?
I teach
part time. What programs am I eligible for?
I am a French
teacher. What programs am I eligible for?
Does
student teaching or fellowship teaching count in the 3 years eligibility
requirement?
I am a support
teacher/reading specialist. Am I eligible to apply?
I am a social studies
teacher. What am I eligible for?
I have
participated in programs funded by State Department in the past. Am I still
eligible?
How do I access the
online application?
I am having trouble
with the online application. Who do I speak with?
The
Educational Seminars grant is fully funded by the U.S. Department of State.
This means that airfare, tuition (if applicable), room and board, and any
miscellaneous costs for specific programs (such as visas, hosting activities, orientation
and debriefs) are paid in full. Grantees
pay no direct cost to participate.
How
competitive is this program?
Educational
Seminars is a selective fellowship program. The number of selected applicants
changes yearly by program and could be anywhere from 1:3 to 1:15.
Couples
must apply separately and will be treated as two separate applicants. There is
no guarantee that both will be selected.
No.
All program participants must participate in all program activities during the
professional development exchange. Family and friends may travel with you
before or after, but not during, your program.
Grantees
are responsible for securing lodging in a homestay or hotel per program
requirements and developing an agenda for their international partner(s). The
grant funding covers the cost of lodging and provides funding for activities in
your community. American Councils provides support and training for these
responsibilities. The programs that include a hosting portion (two-way) are the
Argentina, Brazil, Thailand, and Uruguay programs.
It
is a requirement of the two way programs that you provide housing and spend
time with your partner while she is in your host community. Housing does not
need to be in your own home, but should be a homestay arrangement for
Argentina, Thailand, and Uruguay programs.
Please
see our www.americancouncils.org/es/alumni to see exciting
projects of Educational Seminars alumni. You may also stay up to date with our
program with pictures and videos at www.facebook.com/EducationalSeminars.
You
may apply to as many programs as you would like to as long as you are eligible.
There is no limit to the number of times you can apply.
Elementary
school teachers may apply to the Uruguay (Spanish speakers only) and Thailand
programs.
No.
Eligible applicants must be full time
employees of U.S. schools.
Educational
Seminars administrator programs are for principals, assistant/vice principals,
and superintendents. Specialized district-wide administrators may also be
considered eligible (i.e. Special education, global education, etc.)
No.
Educational Seminars teachers programs are specifically for teachers currently
working full-time in a classroom.
We
have two different programs for ESL teachers. If you are a Spanish speaker, you
are eligible for the Uruguay program. If you are an ESL department head or
teachers at the elementary level, you are eligible for our Thailand program.
Please note: ESL teachers are not eligible for the India Summer Teacher program
unless language arts is included in the curriculum.
Community
college faculty of the Classics, Ancient Studies, Greek, Latin, or Art History
are only eligible for the Greece Summer Classics program.
To
participate in an Educational Seminars program, you must be a full time teacher
in a U.S. school. Visit exchanges.state.gov for other State Department program
for which you may be eligible.
At
this time Educational Seminars does not offer opportunities for French
teachers. If you are a Spanish speaker, you are eligible for our Uruguay
program.
No. To be eligible, you must have been employed
by a U.S. school for three years and be in your fourth year of teaching at time
of application.
Support
staff and teachers that pull students from their regular classes for
specialized instruction are not eligible. You must be a full time classroom
teacher for teacher exchanges.
If
you teach a unit on the Ancient World at the high school level, you are
eligible for the Summer Classics program. If you also teach a class that is
heavily combined with English and literature, you are eligible for the India
Summer Teacher program.
Yes.
Prior participation in other government programs does not disqualify you.
All
online applications can be found at ais.americancouncils.org under Educational
Seminars. You must create an account with AIS to apply.
Please
contact the Educational Seminars staff at 202-833-7522 or via email at edseminars@americancouncils.org for any application
issues.