2024-2025 competition is closed. 2025-2026 competition will open in April 2024. 

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Current U.S. Student

United States citizens who are currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs are eligible to apply.If you are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a U.S. college or university, you will apply through that institution, even if you are not currently a resident there. Find the Fulbright Program Adviser on your campus.

U.S. Citizen but not a Student

If you are a U.S. citizen, will hold a bachelor’s degree by the award start date, and do not have a Ph.D. degree, then you are eligible to apply. Non-enrolled applicants should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Candidates with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

The Getting Started page will provide information on eligibility and next steps.

Artist

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program welcomes applications in the creative and performing arts. Arts candidates for the U.S. Student Program should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Artists with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

Creative & Performing Arts projects fall under the Study/Research grant category and are available in all countries where Study/Research grants are offered.

FPA

U.S. Professor/Administrator

If you are a U.S. citizen and a professor or administrator at a U.S. institution and are interested in applying for a Fulbright Scholar Award, you will need to apply through fulbrightscholars.org.

To support your students in applying for a U.S. Student Program award, please connect with the Fulbright Program Adviser at your institution.

Non U.S. Citizens

If you are a non-U.S. citizen interested in applying for a Fulbright Award to the United States, you will need to apply through the Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy in your home country. Find out more information on the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program or Fulbright Foreign Student Program.

Estonia

4 English Teaching Assistant Award

Accepted Degree Levels
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Grant Period
September Start
Grant Length
9 Months
Award Type
English Teaching Assistant
Award Profile

Program goal: to strengthen educational and cultural relationships between the United States and Estonia. 

Teaching role: ETA positions may be stand-alone teaching assignments or as assistants to English-language teachers. ETAs will be responsible for developing their own lesson plans and managing their own classrooms and schedules. 

General benefits: ETAs benefit from cross-cultural interactions, research and personal interest possibilities, volunteering opportunities in their placement communities, and connection with a small community of other ETAs throughout the country.

Applicants are placed in classrooms at host institutions to provide assistance to the local English teachers. ETAs also serve as cultural ambassadors. ETAs are not full-fledged professors; the program is an entry-level professional development opportunity for them to advance their teaching skills and have a positive experience in the host country. ETA activities may include: 1) serving as a resource person in conversation groups; 2) providing small group tutorials; 3) assisting students with reading and writing English; 4) giving presentations related to American studies in English classes and to school/civic organizations; 5) preparing and organizing American culture-related activities, including movie nights and holiday celebrations; 6) starting and running English language clubs; 7) developing and facilitating educational community activities in cooperation with the Embassy; and 8) other tasks developed in cooperation with the Embassy and/or the host institution. 

Grant Length
9 Months
Grant Period
September Start

The grant period is from September 2024 to June 2025.

Orientation
Pre-Departure and In-Country Orientation

All grantees are required to attend a pre-departure orientation in June or July as a condition of their grant. The event is organized by IIE, virtual or in-person.

An in-country orientation is arranged by the Embassy for all grantees upon arrival to Estonia. 

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate would be someone self-driven with a strong commitment to community service. Well-qualified candidates who possess a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline will be considered. Anyone with experience in mentoring, teaching, or working with youth will be strongly considered. Previous teaching experience and/or TESL/TESOL certification is not required but is helpful. Applicants must be fluent English speakers.  

The ETA program in Estonia has a community service component, and close collaboration with U.S. Embassy-run programs and initiatives is expected. 

Eligibility
Dual citizens of this country are NOT eligible
Residency in host country NOT permitted in year prior to grant
Indicate how many months is considered residency:
3 Months
Accepted Degree Levels
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Foreign Language Proficiency
Not Required

Additional Information: Language proficiency is not required, but is encouraged.

Russian is spoken in certain regions.

Placement Type
  • Middle School
  • Secondary School
  • Vocational/Technical School
  • University/Post-Secondary Institution
  • Other Educational/Community Institution

Grantees may be placed in universities, schools, or other venues where English language instruction is needed. Applicants may indicate a host institution preference but the Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Embassy will seek the most appropriate placements. Grantees will likely be placed outside the capital.    

Grantees will assist an experienced English language instructor and will serve as a resource for conversation, vocabulary, and reading and writing courses. Grantees may also be involved with some educational advising and outreach. Grantee hours and responsibilities will be discussed with the PDS and finalized prior to or upon arrival to Estonia. 

Placement Locations
  • Regional City
  • Rural
Supplementary Project
Optional

As English Teaching Assistant responsibilities will not exceed 20 hours per week, grantees are expected to engage in projects or other activities related to their personal, professional, and/or academic interests during the grant period. Grantees may pursue a course of study, conduct research on topics related to Estonia, engage in specific volunteer work, or a combination of these. Applicants should be flexible when considering their supplementary project.

Housing Arrangements

Candidates are expected to arrange their own housing with the help of host institutions. Limited assistance is available by PDS staff.

Dependents
Dependent financial support is available
Visa Requirements

To obtain legal residency in Estonia, all candidates need to be ready to secure a D-type visa through the Estonian Embassy prior to embarking on the program in Estonia. The application needs to be coordinated with the Embassy and the host institution in Estonia to obtain necessary paperwork on behalf of the hosts. 

Fulbright Program Management Contact
FBstudent.EUR@iie.org
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
https://ee.usembassy.gov/
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Jane Susi: SusiJ@state.gov
Additional Online Resources
Visit Estonia: https://www.visitestonia.com/en/why-estonia/estonia-facts
US Embassy Twitter: https://twitter.com/USEmbTallinn
US Embassy Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/estonia.usembassy
US Embassy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/usembassytallinn/?hl=en