Foreign Language (Hebrew) Teaching Assistant Fellowships

The purpose of the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Program is to strengthen the instruction of foreign languages at U.S. colleges and universities, while providing young native Hebrew speakers the opportunity to refine their teaching skills, increase their English language proficiency and extend their knowledge of the cultures and customs of the United States.

During the course of one academic year (9 months), Israeli FLTA Fellows teach Hebrew and, in parallel, take two academic courses per semester. Fellows also share their culture and values with Americans in university clubs, language dormitories and in community outreach programs.
Upon completion of the FLTA Program, Fellows return home with an improved command of the English language and are able to speak about the United States, its culture and its people on the basis of first-hand knowledge.

Participation in the FLTA Program does not lead to the receipt of an academic degree.

Those awarded fellowships will take up their positions in the United States in August 2024.

• ​​​​​​Monthly maintenance allowance, fixed according to IIE estimates
• Tuition and fees
• Round trip airfare from Israel to the US academic institution for the grantee only
• Basic health insurance for the grantee only for the duration of the grant
• J1 visa administration
• Pre-departure orientation meeting in Israel
• A support agency in the U.S. that assists with visas, events and networking
• Participation in special Fulbright workshops and Fulbright enrichment seminars

• Candidates must be Israeli citizens. Dual American-Israeli citizens or permanent residents of the United States are not eligible to apply.
• Applicants must be resident in Israel throughout the application and selection process.
• Candidates must hold an academic degree by June 1, 2024.
• The candidate's mother tongue (native language) must be Hebrew (i.e. the candidate must have grown up in a Hebrew-speaking household).
• Candidates must be in good health. Those selected as program fellows are required to submit a Medical History and Examination Report before the award of their grants can be finalized.
• Prior conviction or current indictment for a felony may result in disqualification.

• Preference will be given to applicants who have not had a substantial, recent, academic experience in the United States.
• Leadership qualities are an important evaluation criterion.
• Possession of skills required to promote mutual understanding between the United States and Israel is an important evaluation criterion.
• The quality of the application, including the essays, academic track record and recommendations, is the primary evaluation criterion.

• Funding is for one academic year only. The Fellowship is non-renewable.
• Grantees must travel on a J-1 Exchange Visitor visa sponsored by the Fulbright program.
  • It is a condition of the visa that upon expiration of their exchange visitor status, grantees must return to Israel and reside in the country for two years before being eligible to immigrate to the U.S., to return to that country as permanent residents or to enter the U.S. with a work permit. The purpose of the two-year home residency requirement is to ensure that exchange visitors return home and fulfill the exchange objectives of the Fulbright program.
  • Holders of J-1 student visas who have departed from the United States after a stay of six or more months must remain abroad for at least twelve months before being allowed to re-enter the United States with a J-1 professor/research scholar visa.   There is no such limitation to re-entry to the United States as the holder of a J visa in another category (short-term scholar, specialist, international visitor), or as the holder of a student or tourist visa.
  • Program fellows who enter the U.S. as J-1 visa holders must receive a special waiver in order to change their visa status to J-2 while in the United States. The Department of State does not support such change of status requests.
  • The FLTA Program does not sponsor J-2 visas for spouses or dependents. Thus, Fellows may not bring spouses or dependents with them to the U.S.
• Grantees must begin their program in the United States no later than August 2024. Awards cannot be deferred to the following academic year.
• Fellows will be asked to act as Fulbright Program Ambassadors – to share their experiences with others, to disseminate fellowship information among colleagues and potential candidates and to participate in information sessions for new candidates that may be held in their region. Alumni will also be invited to attend Fulbright Israel's activities and events and, from time to time, asked to assist in the reviewing process for incoming candidates. 

The candidates who receive the highest rankings on the basis of their written application materials will be invited for an interview. All interviews will be held on the same day. In order to be considered for an award, applicants must be available for interview in person on the date fixed by Fulbright Israel.

The Foundation reserves the exclusive right to determine, within the framework of applicable law and regulations, the qualitative standards for the evaluation of applications. The Foundation is not under any obligation to provide the reasons for its decisions regarding the allocation of Fellowships.