Study of the U.S. Institutes for Secondary Educators (SUSIs) are intensive five-week post-graduate level academic programs whose purpose is to provide foreign secondary school educators and administrators the opportunity to deepen their understanding of U.S. society, culture, values, and institutions. The ultimate goal of the Institutes is to strengthen curricula and to enhance the quality of teaching about the United States in secondary schools and other academic institutions abroad. Each Institute will include an academic residency component and a one-week integrated study tour to another region of the United States. A key cultural component of the program involves community service activities, which will provide participants with first-hand experience of how volunteerism plays a vital role in U.S. civil society.
The 2026 Institutes will feature rigorous program content linked to the America250 themes, highlighting American excellence, innovation, and key moments and documents in U.S. history.
The Institutes will provide participants with content and materials to develop or enhance secondary school-level curricula about the United States, including key readings on American historical documents (such as the U.S. Constitution and the Gettysburg Address) and visits to U.S. historical and natural landmarks that celebrate America’s legacies. Two of the Institutes are tailored for secondary school teachers; please note that the Institutes for Teachers focus on content and materials about the United States rather than teaching methods and pedagogy. The third Institute is tailored for experienced administrators including teacher trainers, curriculum developers, textbook writers, ministry of education officials, and others.
Please note that SUSIs for Secondary Educators focus on U.S. studies content, not on pedagogical training. Applicants whose primary interest is in teaching methodology or classroom techniques may wish to consider another program, such as the Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement (FTEA) Program .
Through a combination of traditional, multi-disciplinary, and interdisciplinary approaches, the program content will examine the history and evolution of U.S. institutions and values, broadly defined. The programs will also serve to illuminate contemporary political, social, and economic debates in American society. The four-week academic residencies will take place at U.S. universities and colleges campuses and will consist of a balanced series of lectures, panels, seminar discussions, readings, workshops, site visits, meetings with practitioners in the field, and cultural activities. The one-week academic field experience will complement the academic residency and take participants to a different region of the United States.
The University of Montana (UM) in Missoula, Montana, will oversee and administer the three SUSIs for Secondary Educators and will conduct one Institute for teachers which which will explore the concept of the “American Dream”. The Institute for Training and Development (ITD) in Amherst, Massachusetts, will conduct the second Institute for teachers which will explore the nation’s progress and future. California State University at Chico will conduct the Institute for Administrators and will focus on equitable learning communities, the history of local native people in the Northern California region, and U.S. democracy.
Complete the online application form.
The deadline for submission of applications for summer 2026 is January 5, 2026, at 11 a.m. Incomplete applications and applications received after that deadline will not be considered.
Application cycle is open.
The deadline for submission of applications for summer 2026 is January 5, 2026, at 11 a.m. Applications will be reviewed based on the eligibility criteria. The most qualified applicants will be invited for an interview. The interviews are preliminarily planned for January 12–16, 2026.
Successful applicants are notified of their nomination. The final stage of the selection process is made by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.
Successful applicants chosen by the U.S. Department of State are notified.
Administrative steps to process visa applications and departure for the U.S. are taken.
What degree of English proficiency should I have?
You must be fully proficient in English to fully understand lectures, actively participate in discussions, and read and write assignments in English. Institutes are rigorous academic programs conducted entirely in English; participants must be able to handle substantial academic readings and written work.
To what extent do the Institutes for Secondary Educators cover teaching methods and pedagogy?
SUSIs for Secondary Educators focus primarily on content, materials, and education related to the United States. The Institutes for teachers typically include a handful of sessions on teaching methodologies; however, these sessions are supplemental to the main focus of the Institute. The program does not provide comprehensive pedagogical training or classroom management techniques. Educators whose primary interest is teaching methodology may wish to apply for the Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement (FTEA) Program .
I have been to the United States before. Does that mean I cannot apply for this program?
You can apply for SUSIs for Secondary Educators. However, please bear in mind that priority will be given to candidates with little or no previous experience in the United States.
Can an applicant who is not a Slovak citizen, but is a permanent resident of Slovakia, be nominated?
Yes, provided they are permanent residents of Slovakia and the nomination clearly explains the reasons for their selection.
How much free time/time for independent research will I have during the program?
There will be some free time during the program as well as some time designated for independent research. However, candidates must understand that this is an intensive academic program and they are expected to participate in all lectures, activities, and scheduled events. Participants in Secondary Educator Institutes may, at their own expense, opt to extend their stay in the United States after the close of their program to the extent allowed by visa regulations. The Institute is not designed as a research program and participants should not expect to conduct extensive independent research or to work remotely for their home institution during the program.
If I have relatives in the United States, would I have time to see them?
Because of the intensive nature of the Institutes, participants will not be able to leave the Institute to visit relatives or friends. Participants in Secondary Educator Institutes may, at their own expense, opt to extend their stay in the United States after the close of their program to the extent allowed by visa regulations.
Can I arrive early/late for the Institute?
The U.S. host university is expected to arrange flight itineraries so that participants arrive on the Institute start date. Occasionally, flight schedules necessitate that a participant arrives a day early. Once participants have reviewed their flight itinerary and the U.S. host university has booked the itinerary, the participant is responsible for making and paying for any itinerary changes if the participant chooses to change their plans.
Can I stay in the U.S. after the end of the Institute?
Yes. Under the terms of their J-1 visas, participants generally have up to 30 days after the end of the program to depart from the U.S. However, participants must be aware that they are responsible for all arrangements and expenses after the end of the Institute and will no longer have ECA-sponsored health benefits.
Can I miss one part or component of the Institute?
No, you cannot. All participants are expected to participate in all scheduled lectures, events, site visits, trips, and activities. Because of the intensive schedule, the program cannot be combined with other professional or academic commitments.
Will applicants with disabilities be considered?
Individuals with disabilities, participants from non-elite backgrounds, historically underserved groups, disadvantaged groups, and ethnic minority communities are encouraged to apply. Care will be taken to ensure that any special requirements regarding diet, daily worship, housing, and medical care are met. The program is committed to making reasonable accommodations to enable full participation of individuals with disabilities.
Where are participants accommodated when in the U.S.?
Housing will be in shared university dorms on campus with common bathrooms. Male participants will be housed on one floor and female participants on a separate floor. Most meals will be provided at campus facilities, though participants may have access to a kitchen to cook some meals on their own.