U.S. Embassy in Panama

OPEN CALL

Open Call

We are pleased to announce that the call is open and the application deadline is July 31, 2026.
All projects of the Fulbright Specialist Program (FSP) for Fiscal Year 2026 will include a component to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States (Freedom 250).

WHAT IS THE FULBRIGHT AMERICAN SPECIALIST PROGRAM?

The Fulbright Specialist Program is a short-term, on-demand component of the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) deploys highly qualified U.S. experts (academics and professionals) who share their expertise to advance the priorities of the United States Government. Foreign host institutions design and propose projects lasting two to six weeks, and U.S. embassies and Fulbright Commissions recommend them for implementation by specialists. FSP projects ensure that U.S. expertise, skills, and perspectives advance key academic, professional, and cultural sectors. The FSP promotes long-term collaboration between the United States and host institutions in areas of strategic interest, including curriculum development; the design and delivery of seminars, training modules, and keynote lectures; needs assessments; and a variety of consulting activities.

In Fiscal Year 2026, host institutions must propose projects that support U.S. government and foreign policy priorities and include a Freedom 250 component.

ECA administers the Fulbright Specialist Program for Fiscal Year 2026 through a cooperative agreement with World Learning.

Typically, specialists are academics; however, professionals such as attorneys, journalists, scientists, economists, security experts, and specialists in other eligible fields (such as business, communications, public health, and public administration) also participate in the program. These specialists exchange knowledge, build capacity, and establish partnerships that benefit participants, institutions, and communities both in the United States and abroad.

Approximately 400 projects in 149 countries will be supported during Fiscal Year 2026. It is important to note that Fulbright Specialist Program projects must be carried out in person (not virtually), with no exceptions. Program guidelines and policies are outlined below.

Through FSP project proposals, host institutions may invite U.S. academics and professionals to apply their knowledge and expertise in activities designed by a university, a local nonprofit organization, a government office, ministries, or another eligible institution. To access the complete list of selection requirements and FSP activities, please visit the following link https://fulbrightspecialist.worldlearning.org/eligibility-foreign-institutions.

Project activities may include, but are not limited to:

• Teaching or training;
• Curriculum or instructional/educational materials development;
• Institutional planning;
• Capacity building for faculty, administrators, or staff;
• Delivery of seminars or academic courses;
• Conducting needs assessments for programs or institutions.

The deadline for this cycle of projects fully funded by ECA is September 30, 2027. Priority will be given to the themes described below:

• Cybersecurity and Computing
• Artificial Intelligence
• Disaster Response
• Entrepreneurship
• Supply Chain
• Environmental Sustainability
• Media Literacy/Countering Disinformation
• Public Administration
• Public/Global Health
• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)
• Strengthening democratic processes and the rule of law

Regular applications that include cost-sharing by the host institution may be submitted until July 31, 2026.

Projects must take place between September 1, 2026 and September 30, 2027.

Learn more about the Fulbright American Specialists Program at https://fulbrightspecialist.worldlearning.org/eligibility-foreign-institutions

Project Parameters

• One country per project:
  With the exception of projects implemented under trilateral grant initiatives, Fulbright Specialist projects are limited to a single country. All activities must take place in the applicant country. If the project requires the specialist to travel to multiple locations, all must be within the same country.
• One specialist per project:
  Each project is limited to a single beneficiary.
• Project duration:
  The duration must be a minimum of 14 days and a maximum of 42 days, including travel days and weekends.
• Interval between projects for specialists:
  A candidate may not receive a second Fulbright Specialist Program grant unless two years have passed since the completion of the previous project.
• Multiple-Visit (Serial) Projects:
  Multiple-Visit projects are those in which a specialist conducts more than one visit to the host institution to carry out program assessments or required follow-up activities. If such a project is approved, all visits must take place within a one-year period (counting 12 months from the start date of the first visit to the completion of the last visit).
  • No more than three visits may be included in total, and the combined duration of all visits must not exceed six weeks (42 days).
  • Each visit must have a minimum duration of 14 days.
  • Important: The majority of approved projects are not Multiple-Visit projects; therefore, proposals must clearly justify the need for more than one visit in order to achieve the stated objectives.

View the Fulbright Specialist Program overview