The United States Embassy in Nairobi has announced new opportunities for Kenyans to travel to and study in the United States following the opening of applications for the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Programme.
In a statement, the embassy said the programme seeks to promote cross-cultural understanding by placing foreign language teaching assistants in U.S. colleges and universities, where they will help Americans learn foreign languages and cultures through direct interaction with native speakers.
The initiative, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, will allow selected Kenyan educators to spend an academic year in the United States teaching their native language while also strengthening their professional and academic expertise.
The 2026–2027 Fulbright FLTA Programme will run for approximately nine to ten months and targets applicants from five African countries: Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, and Tanzania.
Participants will be involved in a range of activities, including teaching language classes, leading conversation groups, and taking part in community and cultural exchange events. They will also be enrolled in coursework aimed at improving English proficiency and enhancing teaching expertise.
The Fulbright umbrella also includes the Foreign Student Program, which awards about 4,000 grants annually to foreign students pursuing master’s or doctoral degrees and research at U.S. universities.
Requirements to complete the application
Applicants are required to submit three letters of reference, standardised test scores such as TOEFL or IELTS, and, where applicable, GRE or GMAT results.
They must also provide digital copies of official transcripts for all completed and ongoing academic coursework, with a minimum of four years of university study equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree.
Eligibility requirements
Applicants must be residents of the nominating country at the time of application and hold the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree with a strong academic record by the start of the programme.
They must demonstrate English proficiency, with recommended minimum scores of 550 for paper-based TOEFL, 79–80 for internet-based TOEFL, or an overall IELTS score of 6.5.
Importantly, applicants must not hold U.S. citizenship, and dual citizens are not eligible.
Award benefits
Successful candidates will receive J-1 visa sponsorship, funding support, a health benefit plan, and access to enrichment and cultural exchange activities during their stay in the United States.
Applicants have been advised to consult the Fulbright office in their home country for detailed guidance on university placement and selection procedures.
