Become a French Language Teaching Assistant in the United States: Fulbright Scholarship 2026–2027

The French Language Teaching Assistant Program in the United States offers French students holding at least a bachelor’s degree the opportunity to become a French language assistant at an American university for an academic year. The grant covers travel, visa, living, university tuition, and health insurance costs. The call for applications for 2026–2027 is open until December 1, 2025, at 11:59 PM (Paris time).

1. Overview
The “French Language Teaching Assistants” (FLTA) program of the Franco-American Fulbright Commission, in partnership with the Institute of International Education (IIE), allows French students to spend an academic year in the United States as a French language assistant. The role aims to promote French language and culture at an American higher education institution.

2. Application Deadlines
Call for applications open for the 2026–2027 cycle.

Application deadline: December 1, 2025, at 11:59 PM (Paris time).

Late applications will not be accepted.

The program begins at the start of the next U.S. academic year (early August or September) and lasts 9 months (one academic year), non-renewable.

3. Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible:

• Be a French citizen and reside permanently in France at the time of application.

• Hold at least a bachelor’s degree at the time of selection. Students enrolled in L3 LLCE English are eligible, but the program is primarily intended for those planning a career in teaching English or French as a Foreign Language (FLE).

• Candidates must not already be in the United States or hold a green card.

• Have a sufficient level of English (TOEFL ≈ 79-80 or IELTS ≈ 6.5) and clear, precise French.

• Be available for a full U.S. academic year (August/September to May/June) without a spouse or children.

4. Selection Criteria
Selection is based on several criteria:

• Motivation and personal project: candidates must demonstrate enthusiasm, dynamism, and a desire to promote French language and culture in the United States.

• Open-mindedness, adaptability, autonomy, teamwork, and interest in campus and community life.

• Priority is given to candidates who have not previously spent significant time in the U.S., candidates from underrepresented geographic areas, recipients of social grants, or candidates with disabilities.

5. Benefits and Grant Amount

• Number of positions: 23 to 25 assistants for the 2026–2027 cycle.

• The grant covers: travel expenses, visa fees, U.S. university tuition, and health insurance.

• A travel allowance may be provided after obtaining the visa.

• It is recommended to have additional personal funds for settling in (approximately €1,000–€2,000 depending on the destination).

6. Application Procedure

• The application is submitted online via the Fulbright France portal.

• Candidates must indicate their regional preferences in the U.S., but placement in the preferred region is not guaranteed.

• A matching meeting (pairing candidates with U.S. universities) takes place in March/April: candidates receive 5–8 university proposals to rank.

For more details: Programme Assistants de français – Fulbright France