Deadline: August 30, 2017 at 11:59 PM Kabul time.

The U.S. Embassy is pleased to announce the 2018 Afghan Junior Faculty Development Program (AJFDP) for citizens of Afghanistan to participate in a ten-week professional development program in the United States.  The 2018 AJFDP will be for faculty members in the field of English Language and Literature.  All program costs will be included in the scholarship, including lodging, meals, supplemental health and accident benefits, a book and materials allowance, and travel costs to program location.

The Afghan Junior Faculty Development Program is a U.S. government-sponsored program initiated in January 2011.  The program is designed to enhance and broaden the professional skill sets of Afghan junior faculty in various fields of study; to provide insight into the American system of higher education; and to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of Afghanistan.

 Eligibility Requirements

  • Applicants must be citizens of Afghanistan currently employed full-time as a junior level faculty memberat a public or private higher education institution in Afghanistan;
  • Applicants must have a minimum of one year and maximum of five years of teaching experience;
  • Applicants must have demonstrated interest in and intent to continue teaching at the university level in Afghanistan;
  • Applicants must at the minimum a four-year bachelor’s degree along with transcripts reflecting eight full semesters of coursework;
  • Applicants must demonstrate leadership qualities and achievements through professional work and volunteer experience;
  • Applicants should have strong English language skills.  Applicants with a valid TOEFL iBT score will be given preference when selecting candidates.  Candidates with TOEFL scores must include a screenshot or their highest such score in the application package. Selected applicants may be required to retake a TOEFL iBT later.  Competitive applicants will have a TOEFL score of at least 61 iBT.
  • Applicants must submit three recommendation letters along with their application. One of the three recommendation letters must be from the applicant’s faculty’s Dean and must clearly state that if selected, the university will facilitate and approve the applicant’s participation, which includes absence for ten weeks, and guarantees the applicant’s position upon return;
  • Applicants must accept the “NO dependent policy” – the Afghan Junior Faculty Development Program will only provide support to the recipient; dependents, including spouse, are not supported;
  • Applicants currently living outside Afghanistan, dual citizens and U.S. citizens are NOT eligible for the program.
  • Persons who have a pending application for immigration to any country (this includes Special Immigrant Visas to the United States); employees of the U.S. government, such as U.S. Embassy/USAID, and their family members (parents, siblings, spouses, and children) are NOT eligible for the program;

Strong preference will be given to applicants who have not had extensive recent experience in the United States.  Note: All grantees are required to return to Afghanistan at the conclusion of their program to implement projects and ideas developed while in the United States.  Program participants will be eligible to apply for subsequent Fulbright and other Embassy exchange programs upon their return to Afghanistan (i.e. applicants returning in March 2018 are eligible to apply right away for the 2019-2020 Fulbright program), but AJFDP participation does not provide any advantage in their selection.

Program Overview

The Afghan Junior Faculty Development Program provides an intensive professional training program at a U.S. university for faculty from public and private Afghan universities.  The program aims to enhance and broaden the professional skill sets of junior faculty in the field of study of English Language and Literature.  Participants will also have the opportunity to develop language and professional skills to strengthen eligibility for graduate studies at international institutions.  The program will take place from January to March 2018, with exact dates to be determined.

The ten-week program includes the following:

  • Participation in an initial orientation and an eight-week academic program at a U.S. university host campus, including a one-week intensive English seminar;
  • Attendance at a professional conference; and
  • Participation in a multi-day professional seminar in Washington, D.C., led by experienced CIES staff.

Activities and seminars during the program will focus on theoretical and practical topics such as teaching methodology, pedagogy, resources, and technology.  Topics will include the following:

  • Overview of U.S. Higher Education Structure and Administration
  • Intensive English for Practical Usage and Introduction to U.S. Culture
  • Teaching Methodology and Pedagogy, including Curriculum and Syllabus Development
  • Leadership in Education
  • Integrating Practical Application of Course Material
  • Assessment Strategies
  • Research Methodology and Building Research Capacity
  • Technology – IT as a Pedagogical Tool
  • Academic Support Structures

 Participant Selection

Participants will be recruited through a merit-based, open competition and chosen by an American-led team.  Afghan female faculty members are strongly encouraged to apply.  Selections are based upon participants’ leadership potential, interest in and intent to continue teaching at the university level in Afghanistan as demonstrated in their Professional Objective Statement and Personal Statement, TOEFL iBT score, quality of work experience, maturity, ability to adjust successfully to academic life in the United States; strong interest in engaging Americans, and potential to promote mutual understanding between the United States and Afghanistan.

Please note that applicants are judged according to their complete application (essays, TOEFL iBT scores, work and volunteer experience, teaching experience, interview, etc.).  The most qualified and competitive candidates will be selected for nomination by the U.S. Embassy.

No Dependents

The Afghan Junior Faculty Development Program fellowship is provided for the recipient only; dependents, including spouse (Maharam), cannot be supported.  Dependents and family members of Afghan Junior Faculty Program participants are not permitted to accompany participants to the United States.

For more information about this opportunity, please visit the US embassy site here:

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