The United States President Donald Trump's administration has announced a rare opportunity for Kenyans who seek to work as teachers in America.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, April 23, by the US Embassy in Nairobi, which clarified that the programme was only meant for Kenyans who seek to teach Kiswahili.
According to the embassy, under the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) programme, an individual would be allowed to teach for one year, from 2026 to 2027.
The programme is designed to give US residents knowledge of foreign cultures and languages by supporting the teaching of a foreign language in America's institutions of higher education.
In the notice, the US Embassy called on potential applicants to tender their applications by May 16 this year. However, an applicant must first confirm their eligibility for the programme.
"Apply for the 2026-2027 Fulbright FLTA Programme and teach Kiswahili in the US while gaining valuable professional and cultural exchange experience," the embassy announced.
Kenyans who are enrolled in various undergraduate or graduate programmes in US colleges or universities were encouraged to apply through their institutions.
Those who are not enrolled in any tertiary institution in America were told to apply through their most recent US-based institution that has a Fulbright Programme Adviser (FPA), provided that the institution is willing and able to accommodate alumni applications.
Meanwhile, other Kenyans who never studied at any institution in America were told to tender their applications as at-large applicants.
Eligibility
Applicants must have a conferred bachelor's degree or equivalent before the start of the one-year programme.
Applicants must meet the language requirements of the award to which they are applying and demonstrate sufficient competency to complete their project and adjust to life in the US.
Priority would be given to those who have not previously held a Fulbright grant. For the 2026-2027 competition, 2025-2026, 2024-2025, and 2023-2024 grantees would be at a competitive disadvantage.
Preference would also be given to applicants whose higher education was undertaken primarily at educational institutions in the United States.
