Sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State, the Distinguished Fulbright Awards in Teaching program recognizes and encourages excellence in teaching in the U.S.and abroad. It is part of the overall Fulbright Program, named in honor of Senator William Fulbright, which promotes mutual understanding among people of the United States and other countries. The program sends highly accomplished primary and secondary teachers from the U.S. abroad and brings international teachers to the U.S for a three to six month long program. In 2010-11, the participating countries are: Argentina, Finland, India, Israel, Mexico, Singapore, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.

This highly prestigious program will provide U.S. award recipients with the opportunity to study in an overseas research center or university. International participants will gather at a single U.S. university college of education which will provide a broad range of education classes and faculty support. Participants can take Master's level classes, conduct research, lead classes and seminars for host country teachers and students, or engage in other teaching related activities. During the program Distinguished Awardees will work towards the completion of a capstone project of their own design. The teachers will also be placed near local secondary schools, where grantees may team teach or guest lecture in classes. Upon returning home, teachers will be expected to share the knowledge and experience gained on the program with teachers and students in their home schools and within their communities.

Grantees will be expected to produce a final capstone project at the end of the program, with the form and content of the project proposed by the applicant at the time of application; projects should encourage cross-cultural dialogue and support future teaching activities. Participants should be creative in developing program activities that will enhance their project and contribute to its successful implementation. Each international teacher will be encouraged to give presentations on their project activities, and to compile written reflections and photographic or other records of their U.S. experiences.

Program costs such as tuition, room and board, and transportation are covered by the grant; participants will receive a maintenance allowance designed to assist with the costs of food and lodging during the program. Distinguished Teachers will also have the opportunity to apply for professional enrichment funds to support development and research, or cover the expenses of attending a conference or workshop related to their fields of teaching expertise. Dependents may accompany program participants; all dependents' expenses, however, will be paid for by the grantee.