Palestinian Territories (West Bank)
4 English Teaching Assistant Award
Accepted Degree Levels
|
Grant PeriodFall StartGrant Length10 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
The Office of Palestinian Affairs in Jerusalem aims to increase English language levels of local Palestinian audiences through awarding 4 English Teaching Assistant (ETA) grants for the 2026-2027 academic year.
The ETA program requires up to 20 hours per week of part-time English-teaching at the Office of Palestinian Affairs-managed American Spaces in Jerusalem, Ramallah, and potentially other locations in Jerusalem or other cities in the West Bank. ETAs will lead English conversation and American culture classes for local community members - a wide range of youth and adult audiences - at these spaces, including classes via digital video conferencing to engage audiences in Gaza. This is a non-traditional teaching assignment, as course cycles at American Spaces are typically 2 months long. ETAs should expect to constantly engage with new students with some repeat students across cycles. ETAs should also be prepared to create their own lesson plans and activities with limited guidance and supervision.
The ETA program may also include teaching and collaborating with local universities, secondary schools, civil society partners, and other education institutions needing support for English language teaching as time and circumstances permit. ETAs will be expected to be proactive and innovative in their style of teaching in order to maintain participants’ enthusiasm and their participation in class. At the same time, ETAs will gain from intensive cross-cultural interaction and international educational and/or research opportunities.
Independent study or research, or community service that does not conflict with assigned teaching responsibilities, is encouraged, but financial stipends are not available for this purpose.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Grant dates will run from September 2026 through June 2027. All ETAs must plan to arrive between September 1 and September 15, 2026.
Orientation
All grantees are required to participate in a virtual Pre-Departure Orientation as a condition of their grants.
The U.S. embassy will provide a security briefing upon arrival.
Candidate Profile
Holders of Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees as well as doctoral students may apply for the fellowship. Those still engaged in Bachelor’s degree studies at the time of application are also eligible, if they complete their studies and receive their degrees by May 2026.
Applicants should be knowledgeable of world issues, and be articulate, resourceful, tolerant, flexible, and mature. They should also demonstrate the initiative, leadership, and confidence required to assist with the teaching of English in a foreign setting. The fluid security and political environment in Jerusalem and the West Bank requires a high degree of flexibility, maturity, and self-reliance. Some knowledge of the Middle East is preferred but not required.
All fields of study will be considered, but strong preference is given to studies related to the teaching of English, bilingual education, and linguistics.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Applicants are expected to research their host country. Application materials should indicate a clear commitment to the host country community and a description of how you will engage with it.
Life for Fulbright ETAs in Jerusalem and the West Bank can be rich and rewarding. There are a multitude of opportunities for cross cultural exchange, exploration, tourism, and ample opportunities to enjoy the culinary scene and natural beauty of their surroundings. When working with Palestinian institutions, communication with host partners is essential to set expectations. Those ETAs placed in American Spaces work closely with the staff of the U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs. All grantees are expected to maintain contact with the U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs for accountability and to receive updates. Palestinians are hospitable and welcoming, and many ETAs are able to build strong social networks while they are here. It is important for ETAs to be flexible. As mentioned previously, the fluid security and political environment in Jerusalem and the West Bank requires a high degree of flexibility, maturity, and self reliance.
Eligibility
6 Months
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) Form
If required, submission of the Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is mandatory, even if you have advanced skills or are a native speaker of the language. Failure to submit the required FLE form may impact your eligibility.
Applicants must be articulate fluent English speakers. Previous study, work, or travel experience in the Middle East and some Arabic language study/familiarity is preferred but not required.
Foreign Language Proficiency Level by Grant Start
If a Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is Required, applicants must have the following proficiency level by the start of the grant period. If a Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is Recommended, applicants are encouraged but not required to have the following level by the start of the grant period.
Placement Type
- Teacher Training
- University/Post-Secondary Institution
- Other Educational/Community Institution
ETAs could be placed at American Spaces or Secondary Schools, to be determined in 2026.
Placement Locations
- Regional City
Applicants could be placed in Jerusalem or major cities in the West Bank, to be determined in 2026.
Award Benefits
- A stipend broadly based on the cost of living in the host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to support housing, meals, and incidental costs during the grant period.
- International travel benefits
- Accident & sickness health benefits
- 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
- 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
- English language teaching preparatory course
Stipend Amount
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
One-Time Allowances
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
- Research/Materials allowance
- Settling in allowance
Supplementary Project
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
Cost of living is highly variable depending on where the ETA is placed. Once placed, ETAs will be put in touch with alumni of previous years who can advise on this topic.
Dependents
Dependent financial support includes a modest increase in the monthly stipend.
Housing Arrangements
The host institution will not provide housing but the Office of Palestinian Affairs will assist grantees in locating nearby and appropriate housing. All housing must be approved by the Embassy's Regional Security Office (RSO).
Security Information
All American grantees in Jerusalem and the West Bank must live within the municipal boundaries of Jerusalem or any major city in Area A of the West Bank, including Jericho, Ramallah, the Bethlehem area (including Bethlehem, Beit Jala, and Beit Sahour), Birzeit, Nablus, Hebron, Tulk-arem or Jenin. The list of approved cities is subject to change and approval closer to the date of the grant.
Grantees are advised to work with Post to find lodging in the above-mentioned locations. The location of all proposed residences must be individually reviewed by the U.S. Embassy's Regional Security Office (RSO) and approved.
Due to security conditions, grantees are prohibited from hitch-hiking and must abide by transportation guidelines in effect at the time as determined by the Embassy’s RSO. The grantee must share their contact information and home address as soon as obtained. Furthermore, RSO will provide grantees with emergency contact information for the Office of Palestinian Affairs and local emergency services in the Palestinian Territories - West Bank. Renting a car is allowed, as is the use of private and service taxi cabs and the light rail in Jerusalem depending on local security conditions.
Grantees must agree to refrain from or modify their travel to certain parts of the Palestinian Territories - West Bank or the West Bank in its entirety, if the Office of Palestinian Affairs' Emergency Action Committee determines that such travel is unsafe. If there are changes to the Post travel policy, the Office of Palestinian Affairs will coordinate notification to the grantees and notify RSO.
Grantees may not travel to the Palestinian Territories - Gaza Strip under any conditions. Grantees should avoid refugee camps and all demonstrations.
All American grantees must initially enter via Israel's Ben Gurion Airport. RSO will provide a security briefing to review travel in and out of the Palestinian Territories - West Bank. Although the Office of Palestinian Affairs will make every effort to assist with long-term visas, grantees and their accompanying dependents may need to renew their visas every three months. All expenses associated with visa renewals and the exit/reentry costs associated with the renewal process are the responsibility of the grantees, in accordance with their grant terms and conditions. Grantees must recognize the possibility that visa renewal requests may be denied.