Turkey (Türkiye)
15 English Teaching Assistant Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodSeptember StartGrant Length9 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
The English Teaching Assistant Award (ETA) Program in Türkiye is administered by the Turkish Fulbright Commission and partners with developing state universities. Grantees will be placed in a variety of cities, all across Türkiye. ETAs are expected to assist language teaching programs. The exact responsibilities and duties assigned to the ETAs will vary depending on the university placement. Alongside language instruction, grantees are encouraged to engage with their communities and make meaningful contributions to their host institutions, in line with the Fulbright mission of fostering mutual understanding between Türkiye and the U.S.
Following the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), all applications will be evaluated without prejudice toward individuals with disabilities.
Prospective candidates are encouraged to explore testimonials and informational videos from former grantees on the Turkish Fulbright Commission's YouTube Channel, Turkish Fulbright Website and Newsletter Archives.
Candidates who are interested in applying to the ETA Program in Türkiye are always welcome to contact the Turkish Fulbright Commission for further information.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Grants will begin in mid-September and run through mid-June. A series of pre-departure webinar sessions are organized by the Turkish Fulbright Commission prior to the grantee's arrival, covering various administrative and logistical details.
Orientation
2025-2026 U.S. Fulbright Türkiye Grantees, Initial Orientation in Ankara
ETAs will be required to attend a week-long in-country Orientation Meeting Program in mid-September. The meeting will consist of a variety of activities, including sessions on Türkiye, Turkish culture, English language teaching (ELT) methods, rules and regulations of the ETA Program, and cultural activities.
ETAs are required to attend the Mid-Year Evaluation Meeting in late February, held in a workshop format. The meeting provides space to reflect on progress, share feedback, and discuss ideas for the future of the program. It also allows the Commission to better understand grantees’ academic and cultural experiences in Türkiye and gives ETAs the opportunity to reconnect with their fellow ETAs.
The Final Evaluation Meeting is held towards the end of the academic year to allow grantees once more to share their academic and cultural experiences in Türkiye and to evaluate their overall Fulbright experience. The meeting is held jointly with the U.S. Scholars and U.S. Student Study/Research Programs grantees.
Accommodation, meals, and most transport costs of attending these mandatory meetings are covered by the Turkish Fulbright Commission for the duration of the event.
Candidate Profile
Candidates are expected to be open-minded, proactive, resilient and flexible problem-solvers who can act independently, take initiative, and demonstrate self-sufficiency. A succesful applicant needs to be prepared to teach and live in remote areas.
ETAs will be working as full time assistants/teachers at their host universities, therefore they should be ready to lead classes with minimal guidance and serve as cultural ambassadors of the United States for their Turkish students and colleagues. They should be committed to teaching and learning about different cultures and be ready to cope with the challenges thereof.
The purpose of the Fulbright ETA Program in Türkiye is to facilitate cultural and educational exchange, especially within communities that have not historically been exposed to American culture or native English speakers. The program supports the development of English language education at state universities across Türkiye. Accordingly, grantees must be prepared for placement in any region of the country, including smaller cities where English proficiency levels may be low.
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.
A country of rich culture, and history, Türkiye is the crossroads between Europe and Asia. Candidate country for the EU and a NATO ally, Türkiye is known for its ancient heritage, vibrant cities, and warm hospitality, offering scholars a dynamic environment for academic collaboration and personal growth. From the ancient wonders to the bustling streets of Istanbul, Türkiye is a place where tradition and modernity come together.
As a Fulbright grantee, you will have the chance to:
- Teach in developing state universities across Türkiye, including in regions with limited exposure to native English speakers.
- Become part of a vibrant academic community with more than 200 universities.
- Engage in a unique culture that provides an opportunity to interact with a blend of traditions, art, and philosophy.
- Experience a country that boasts numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites and over 500 museums.
- Discover natural wonders, and explore diverse and beautiful landscapes.
- Enhance your skills in Turkish, spoken by tens of millions globally and a key member of the Turkic language family.
- Enjoy Turkish cuisine, with its mix of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Central Asian influences, renowned worldwide, offering endless opportunities for culinary discovery.
For further information about the Turkish education system please visit the website of the Turkish Fulbright Commission. A list of universities in Türkiye can be obtained from this website.
Quotes from 2024-2025 ETA Grantees to Türkiye:
"My Fulbright experience has been transformational. Personally, it challenged me to grow more resilient, patient, and open-minded as I adapted to a new culture and lifestyle. Professionally, it deepened my commitment to international education and intercultural exchange, confirming my desire to work with global student populations. Academically, it gave me insight into cross-cultural communication and education systems, which has shaped the research I now pursue. Living and teaching in Türkiye taught me to be resourceful, to lead with empathy, and to find common ground across cultural differences, skills I will carry with me throughout my career."
"Living and teaching in Türkiye challenged me to gain a deeper understanding of myself, my values, and my ability to adapt across cultures by stepping outside of my comfort zone. Professionally, I was able to apply my background in teaching and instructional design to create engaging culturally responsive learning materials. I developed stronger communication and leadership. I've also gained a sense of confidence in understanding my value in the workforce, leading to me effectively advocating for myself."
"It was an experience that shaped me in ways I thought I couldn't be for the better. It exercised a lot of the faculties I thought I didn't have that contributed toward my strength and understanding as an individual. Most importantly, it sparked lifetime connections that give meaning to what Fulbright is."
“This was, without a doubt, an experience that fundamentally changed who I am and how I move in the world. Consciously and subconsciously, my time in Türkiye will always stay with me, be it in my mannerisms or stories I’ll tell or food I make. I’m grateful for what I saw and the who I met, but make no mistake, this experience is entirely up to you…”
Eligibility
12 Months
Candidates with dual U.S.-Turkish citizenship are eligible to apply. However, dual citizens are not eligible if either of the following applies:
- The candidate received a degree from a university in Türkiye.
- The candidate has resided in Türkiye for more than one consecutive year within the past five years.
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
Special Application Instructions
Candidates at the Bachelor's and Master's level are eligible to apply. Candidates with one of the following teaching qualifications are strongly encouraged to apply:
- A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in TESOL, English, English Literature, Education, Linguistics.
- Two or more years of teaching experience.
- An English teaching certificate (i.e. TESOL, TEFL, CELTA, DELTA).
The Turkish Fulbright Commission reserves the right to interview finalists via an online platform.
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 native speakers of English or possess native level of proficiency.
- Knowledge of Turkish is not required but very helpful in daily life especially considering that successful applicants will be placed in locations with very limited use of English. Studying Turkish before arrival is highly recommended to ease the adaptation process.
- ETAs will have opportunities to attend Turkish language courses in their host institutions, improving their Turkish language capabilities.
- A Turkish Language Allowance (one-time payment) is available to support an initial introduction to the language.
Placement Type
- University/Post-Secondary Institution
ETAs will be placed through a process of random selection to participate in state universities after they have been accepted to the Program.
ETAs will teach English at developing state universities, usually in English Language Preparatory Schools, where they will typically focus on speaking and listening skills. Individual ETA expriences and reponsibilities might vary in accordance with placement, depending on each university's program and approach to teaching.
Aside from their teaching tasks, ETAs are expected to assist with extra-curricular activities, attend departmental meetings and help with carrying out other responsibilities at the university including development of lesson plans. These duties and hours will vary, depending on the university's needs.
Placement Locations
- Regional City
ETAs can expect to be placed in developing state universities in regional cities throughout Türkiye. ETAs should be prepared to serve in any region, including smaller cities with lower or non-existent English proficiency levels.
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.
Final grant amounts will be determined prior to the start of the academic year and are subject to the availability of funds. The United States Department of State and the Turkish Fulbright Commission reserve the right to alter, without notice, participating countries, number of awards and allowances.
Housing allowance is a monthly payment of up to $335.
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.
- Excess baggage fees
- Housing allowance (separate from living stipend)
- Language training allowance
- Registration/Permitting fees
- Settling in allowance
There is a one-time airfare allowance of $2,000.
Final allowances will be determined prior to the start of the academic year and are subject to the availability of funds. The United States Department of State and the Turkish Fulbright Commission reserve the right to alter, without notice, participating countries, number of awards, and allowances.
Additional Grant Benefits
- Mid-year seminar
Depending on the timing during the academic year and grantees' research area and responsibilities, they may have the opportunity to participate in events hosted by other Fulbright Commissions in Europe. In such cases, the Turkish Fulbright Commission provides financial support.
ETA Enrichment Seminar hosted by Fulbright Brussels Commission, 2024
ETA Seminar hosted by Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission, 2023
Supplementary Project
Research proposals are not required; however, applicants may propose small research projects as long as they do not conflict with assigned classroom responsibilities.
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
Estimated cost of living in Türkiye varies by location. Expenses, especially rents in large metropolitan areas are usually comparable to other major cities in the world. Candidates are strongly encouraged to conduct market research before arriving in Türkiye to understand the expenses associated with accommodation, daily necessities, transportation, and for effective budgeting.
For further information regarding the most recent economic situation in Türkiye, applicants are invited to visit the relevant official website.
Dependents
If candidates bring their dependents, the Program will not provide them with any financial or logistical support (visa application and/or permit application, etc.).
Housing Arrangements
ETAs are responsible for securing their own housing. Universities may offer temporary accommodation upon arrival.
Visa Requirements
All grantees are required to obtain a Work Visa (Çalışma Vizesi) from a Turkish Embassy/Consulate in the United States prior to their arrival in Türkiye. Furthermore, a work permit or work permit exemption is necessary to work and reside legally in Türkiye. ETAs are responsible for applying and providing all the necessary documentation for the permit.
Grantees are required to pay their own work visa application fees. Work permit application and/or work permit exemption fees will be covered by the Turkish Fulbright Commission, which also provides logistic support.
Dependents
Financial and logistical support (e.g. visas, permits) is not provided for dependents.
Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Additional Online Resources
The Turkish Fulbright Commission Newsletter Archive: https://www.fulbright.org.tr/newsletters
The Turkish Fulbright Commission Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fulbrighturkiye
Turkish Statistical Institute: https://www.tuik.gov.tr/
GoTürkiye: Official Travel Guide of Türkiye: https://goturkiye.com/
Yunus Emre Institute: https://www.yee.org.tr/tr
Turkish and Foreign Languages Application and Research Center (TOMER) : https://tomer.ankara.edu.tr/en/home-page/
Turkish Radio and Television (TRT) World: https://www.trtworld.com/
Fulbright Türkiye Instagram Account: https://www.instagram.com/fulbrighturkiye/