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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.

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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.

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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.

Uruguay


6 English Teaching Assistant Award

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

The Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship Program aims to improve the quality of the English language instruction provided in Uruguayan public education while providing an opportunity for intensive cross-cultural interaction, sharing innovative ideas in TESOL and creating strong linkages between all participants.

ETA activities may include but are not limited to:

  • Assisting with classes and courses that are part of the curriculum
  • Tutor students outside of the classroom
  • Conduct conversation clubs
  • Conduct writing workshops
  • Conduct activities to promote cultural exchange (theatre, dance, music, film)
  • Participate in English Immersion Camps for students and/or teachers
  • Participate in seminars and or workshops for teachers
Grant Length
8 Months
Grant Period
March Start

The grant period is from March to November, and starts with an in-country orientation organized by the Fulbright Commission. 

Orientation
Pre-Departure and In-Country Orientation

The Fulbright Commission will arrange two or more mandatory virtual pre-departure meetings with grantees, as well as a mandatory in-country orientation.

Candidate Profile

Applications are welcome from graduating seniors and graduate students. Candidates with degrees in English, applied linguistics or foreign languages, and/or certification or significant coursework in teacher education or TESOL, are strongly preferred. Other fields will be seriously considered if combined with teaching experience and/or coursework in pedagogy. 

Applicants should have some experience working in an educational environment and, specifically, with classroom teaching. 

Applicants should be open-minded and willing to build significant community relationships as a cultural ambassador for the United States.

What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?

Uruguay is often referred to as the hidden gem of South America. It is a country that consistently ranks #1 in Latin America in all international indexes referring to Democracy, Low Corruption, Respect for Rules, Transparency, Civil Freedoms and Social Mobility. With a literacy rate of 97.9 percent, Uruguay was the first country in the world to provide free laptops for every child and teacher of public schools.

Uruguay is an open-minded society where cultural activities, culinary experiences and an intercultural ambience is part of daily life. Originally founded by immigrants, the country’s residents are known for being friendly and warm, always willing to share a barbecue and mate, our typical infusion.

As a grantee said, “...in Uruguay, I found it was much more productive to let things happen, to open myself up to new experiences and see where they led me. You never know what sort of new ideas and connections can come up all while simply enjoying a mate and watching the sunset with a new friend...".

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

Additional Information: The recommended Spanish language level for this award is Intermediate. Novice speakers will be considered provided they meet other qualifications.  Higher level proficiency may be necessary depending on the requirements of the proposed project. Applicants should discuss plans for language study between the time of application and the commencement of the grant on with the Language Self-Evaluation. A Foreign Language Evaluation by a college level Spanish language instructor is required.

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

To allow for maximum exposure to the Uruguayan culture and the education environment, the ETA program in Uruguay takes place in two locations: the provinces and Montevideo (the capital city), for an urban experience. In each location, ETAs have two or more placements. These can be at elementary, middle or high schools, Vocational/Technical Schools, Teacher Training Centers, Universities or other educational institutions. The week is divided among the Institutions where ETAs are placed with a maximum time commitment of 20-25 hours per week.

Grantees devote the remaining time to collaborate in professional development activities that are considered mandatory by the Commission Board. These activities combined with the TA responsibilities, comprise a full-time program.

Placement Locations
  • Capital City
  • Regional City
Supplementary Project
Optional

English Teaching Assistants are encouraged to engage in other activities related to their personal, professional, and/or educational interests. Grantees may pursue a course of study, conduct research on topics related to Uruguay, engage in volunteer activities, or a combination of these.

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.

1,300 monthly stipend amount in
$ [US Dollar]
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.

$ [US Dollar]
  • Research/Materials allowance
  • Settling in allowance
  • Local transportation allowance
  • Research/Materials allowance:    $150
  • Settling in allowance:                  $500
  • Local transporttaion allowance:  $100
Additional Grant Benefits
  • Mid-year seminar
Estimated Cost of Living

Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.

The websites below can help estimate the cost of living, meals, and incidentals in different capital cities. The cost of living in regional cities, where ETAs spend half of their program, is lower. 

https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Montevideo

Expatistan

Dependents
Dependent financial support is NOT available
Housing Arrangements

Housing in Montevideo: The Commission is not responsible for making housing arrangements for the grantees. However, at the grantee's request, the Commission will go over their housing options (links to rental websites) and provide feedback when applicable.

Housing in the provinces: Grantees will have assistance in finding housing in the provinces. If grantees rent an apartment through a real estate agent, the Commission will read the lease agreement to make sure their rights as tenants are preserved. 

The Commission will book grantees in a hotel during the orientation. This will be covered by the Commission.

Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Patricia Vargas: pvargas@fulbright.org.uy
Additional Online Resources