To qualify for the Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement (TEA) Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Citizenship and Residency
  1. Must be a Malaysian citizen.
  2. Must reside in Malaysia during the application process and throughout the program participation.

• Professional Background
  1. Must be a current, full-time secondary-level teacher (middle or high school) teaching students aged approximately 13 to 18.
  2. Eligible subjects include English, English as a Foreign Language (EFL), Mathematics, Science, Foreign Languages, Social Studies, Journalism, Communications and Special Education.
  3. Teachers must primarily serve a local population in public and private schools.

• Educational Qualification
  1. Must hold at least a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent).
  2. Must have completed a minimum of three years of full-time teaching by the start of the program although five or more years of teaching experience is preferred.

• • English Language Proficiency
    1. Must be proficient in both written and spoken English to actively participate in specialized seminars and deliver presentations in U.S. schools.
    2. Must demonstrate English proficiency with a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 45

Note:

All shortlisted candidates will be required to take the TOEFL iBT test and MACEE will issue vouchers to cover the cost of the test.

• Commitment to Teaching
  1. Must show a strong commitment to continuing in the teaching profession after completing the program.

• Application Requirements
  1. Must submit a complete application with all required documentation.

Ineligibility

The following applicants are not eligible for the Fulbright TEA Program:

• Educational administrators, such as officials or representatives of the Ministry of Education, and school administrators who do not teach at least 50% of the time.
• Full-time teacher trainers and university faculty.
• Private English language tutors.
• Teachers from schools that primarily serve expatriates.

The Fulbright TEA Program is designed as an upper-level university or graduate-level academic program for practicing teachers.

Encouraging Diversity and Inclusion

We strongly encourage applications from underrepresented groups, including women; racial, ethnic, and religious minorities; individuals with disabilities; members of the LGBTI community; individuals from diverse geographic regions across the country; and educators who serve these populations or teach in underserved communities and schools.

• Roundtrip airfare
• Monthly stipend
• Health insurance coverage
• Accommodation
• Academic program fees
• Travel allowance
• J-1 visa support

Gender and Girls’ Education Focus

The Fulbright TEA Program will feature a dedicated cohort to explore gender and education themes in depth. Applicants interested in this focus area can indicate their preference during the application process. This specialized cohort is anticipated to take place in spring 2026.

Media Literacy Program for Teachers

The Fulbright TEA Program will designate one cohort to include content-specific coursework with a focus on media literacy and critical thinking. Topics of seminars for this cohort may include recognizing bias/propaganda, stereotypes, and misinformation; strategies for improving students’ critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills; how media literacy promotes civic engagement/ the role of media in society; fostering cyber safety and digital citizenship in the classroom; and technology training. 

Please note that the program will provide participants with practical resources they can use in their teaching, as well as skills to train trainers in media literacy. Applicants interested in this topic will be given the opportunity to self-designate in the application materials. The media literacy cohort will likely take place in fall 2026.

Environmental Education Program for Teachers  

The Fulbright TEA Program will designate one cohort of approximately 22 teachers to examine environmental education themes in depth. Teachers are important leaders in the fight against climate change, as they educate students about the causes, challenges, and consequences of a warming planet. Gathering best practices and staying abreast of the latest research and resources about this topic will help ECA better serve these teachers and, ultimately, the next generation of global leaders.

 Applicants interested in this topic will be given the opportunity to self-designate in the application materials. The environmental education cohort will likely take place in spring 2026. 

Gender and Girls Education Program for Teachers  

To submit a complete application, ensure the following documents are included:

• Completed online application.
• FY25 Fulbright TEA Leave Approval Form
• FY25 Fulbright TEA Institutional Support and Reference Form
• Academic transcripts and certificates.
• Supplemental documents (if applicable): Resume and Passport Biodata Page.

Reference Materials
Please refer to the following resources for guidance:

• Program Information Sheet
• FY25 Fulbright TEA Leave Approval Form
• FY25 Fulbright TEA Institutional Support and Reference Form
• Fulbright TEA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• Program Online Application Guide for Applicants

Important Notes:
1) Incomplete applications will not be considered

2) Please ensure all questions are answered thoroughly.

Fulbright Plagiarism Policy

This program values the highest academic standards of originality in research, writing, and citation. All application materials will be screened using plagiarism detection software. Any plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification from the program.

Definition of Plagiarism:
Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to:

1. Using exact wording, statistics, or concepts from a source without proper attribution.
2. Copying text verbatim or with slight alterations without citation.
3. Paraphrasing ideas from a source without credit.

Applicants must ensure their submissions are original and properly cite all secondary sources, including their own previously published work, if referenced.

MACEE will recruit, interview, and nominate exceptional teachers for the program. Final selection will be determined by an independent panel in Washington, D.C.

Key Dates:

• Interviews are scheduled for April 2025 and only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

For inquiries, please contact us at fulbrightmalaysia@macee.org.my or call 03-21668878.

The Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program (Fulbright TEA) is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Applicants are nominated to participate in the Fulbright TEA Program based on their educational and professional experience, academic training, and leadership. Final selection of Fulbright TEA Program applicants is made by the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FFSB). The FFSB is an independent, presidentially-appointed board that has oversight responsibility for all Fulbright academic exchange programs.

As part of the application process, applicants must indicate their preference for program participation starting in either January 2026 or September 2026.

Program Components

Applicants who are selected to participate in the Fulbright TEA Program will:

1. Take part in tailored graduate-level seminars at a U.S. host university.
2. Observe classes, co-teach, and share their expertise with U.S. colleagues in U.S. secondary schools.
3. Engage in an online professional learning community with other participants to share best practices and other elements of host and home country educational systems; and
4. Take part in other educational and cultural activities while on program in the United States.

Upon returning home, applicants will share the knowledge and experience gained on the program with teachers and students in their home schools and communities.

University Coursework

Weekly Seminars: Applicants will participate in weekly seminars at their host university featuring presentations and discussions led by university staff, faculty members, and invited educational experts. The Fulbright TEA Program provides academic seminars focusing on new teaching methodologies, student-centered learning, content-based instruction, lesson planning, and instructional technology training for teachers.

U.S. School Placements: The program will also include a practicum of at least 40 hours with a U.S. partner teacher in a secondary school near the host university to actively engage participants in the U.S. classroom environment. Cultural enrichment, mentoring, and support will be provided to participants throughout the program.

Online Professional Learning Community

Each Fulbright applicant will participate in a virtual community with other international educators to collaborate and share best practices about education and leadership in the participating countries.