The 2025-2026 application is now closed. The 2026-2027 competition will open in Spring 2025.

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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.

Benin

English Teaching Assistant Award

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

The Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Program in Benin aims to strengthen educational and cultural relationships between the United States and Benin. 

Grant Length
9 Months
Grant Period
October Start

The academic year begins in October 2025 and ends in June 2026. 

Orientation
Pre-Departure and In-Country Orientation

As a condition of their grants, all grantees may be required to participate in a Pre-Departure Orientation during the summer of 2025.

A mandatory in-country group orientation will be provided by the U.S. Embassy in Cotonou.

Candidate Profile

Graduating seniors or graduate students with an undergraduate degree in English or education who are considering careers in English, education, or TEFL/applied linguistics and who have experience teaching or tutoring will be considered. Other fields will be considered if combined with teaching experience and/or coursework in pedagogy.

What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?

The Republic of Benin is a West African country of more than 10 million people, known for its vibrant culture and for its history as a tolerant and democratic country. Since 1990, the country has transitioned power peacefully and has been cited as one of the best political models in the West African Sub-region, though some observers are concerned about recent electoral changes and restrictions on free expression.  The government of Benin has introduced several reforms at the level of primary, secondary and university education. Some of these measures include i) introducing the teaching of English language at state-owned primary schools, ii) making proficiency in English a key requirement for Master and PhD students, iii) evaluating and reclassifying all public schools teachers, iv) suspending non-accredited private schools and universities, including the establishment of a national exam to certify degrees conferred by private institutions.

Eligibility
Residency in host country permitted in year prior to grant
Dual citizens of this country are eligible
Degree Level of Applicant
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Foreign Language Proficiency
Not Required

Additional Information: Two years (or its equivalent) of college-level study of French prior to commencing the grant is recommended, but not required.

Placement Type
  • Secondary School
  • University/Post-Secondary Institution

Placement will be made by the U.S. Embassy at the university (undergraduate or graduate) or high school level in Benin, or at local teacher-training institutions. 

Placement Locations
  • Regional City
Supplementary Project
Optional
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.

$2,800 per month 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.

2,550 in
$ [US Dollar]
  • Excess baggage fees
  • Research/Materials allowance
  • Settling in allowance
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 linked here and here have useful, up-to-date cost of living information.

Dependents
Dependent financial support is available
Housing Arrangements

The U.S. Embassy will provide support to ETAs in identifying and securing housing.

Fulbright Program Management Contact
FBstudent.AF@iie.org
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
https://bj.usembassy.gov
Nature of Assignment

ETAs will work approximately 20 hours per week assisting professors in their classrooms, plus requisite class preparation time and school-related activities. At the host institution, ETAs will help with research, lesson plans, and course presentation to improve the English speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills of students for whom English is a second language, with a focus on spoken English. ETAs may also assist with English for Specific Purposes, curriculum design, training academic and administrative staff, information technology and school-related activities including English clubs.

Responsibilities may also include working with U.S. Embassy programs such as the American Corners, the Information Resource Center, the Access program, webinars, and conferences.

ETAs will be assigned as language-learning assistants, but may be asked to be responsible for teaching entire courses.