Peru
6 English Teaching Assistant Award
Accepted Degree Levels
|
Grant PeriodMarch StartGrant Length9 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
ETAs will contribute their academic and professional expertise to students and professors at their host institution, working 20-25 hours per week in the classroom. They will also share their understanding of U.S. culture through the organization and execution of educational, cultural, and social activities, both in the classroom and as part of extracurricular programs. In addition to their primary responsibilities at the institution, ETAs will design and dedicate 10 hours per week to a socially-focused supplementary project. ETAs are expected to prioritize their work at their affiliated institution and will be required to submit a monthly report to the Fulbright Commission in Peru, providing updates on their activities and progress.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Grant Duration: 9 months
The grant period typically runs from March to mid-December 2027.
Orientation
Mandatory:
All grantees are required to participate in a four-day virtual Pre-Departure orientation in mid-June 2026 and individual sessions with all ETAs starting November 2026 - January 2027.
Additionally, the grant period begins with a mandatory 5-day orientation in Lima, organized by the Fulbright Commission. Candidates should plan to arrive in Lima at the start of March.
Candidate Profile
The Fulbright Commission in Peru welcomes applications from candidates with a strong interest in working in an educational setting. Preference will be given to candidates with degrees in English, Spanish, Education, or TEFL/Applied Linguistics, along with some experience in teaching or tutoring. However, candidates from other fields will also be seriously considered if they have relevant teaching experience and/or coursework in pedagogy.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Applicants are expected to research their host country. Application materials should indicate a clear commitment to the host country community and a description of how you will engage with it.
Peru’s diverse landscape is composed of 59% jungle, 30% mountains, and 11% coast, making it one of the most ecologically rich countries in the world. It is home to 11 ecoregions and boasts 84 of the world’s 115 life zones. The climate varies widely depending on location: the jungle is humid and tropical with heavy rainfall; the mountains experience dry weather and significant daily temperature fluctuations; the northern coast enjoys sunshine year-round; and the central and southern coast have moderate temperatures, high humidity, and minimal rainfall.
With a rich history spanning over five thousand years, Peru is home to the oldest civilization in the Americas (Caral), one of the New Seven Wonders of the World (Machu Picchu), and several UNESCO World Heritage sites. In cities like Lima, Cusco, and Arequipa, Spanish colonial architecture blends with pre-Inca ruins and vibrant contemporary buildings.
"El país de todas las sangres" (The country of all bloods) is a Peruvian saying that honors the diverse migrations that have shaped Peru into a cultural melting pot. Each wave of migration has enriched the country’s culture and cuisine, and Peruvians take great pride in both their culinary traditions and their diverse ethnic heritage. However, many communities and individuals continue to confront discrimination. Both societal and government efforts are underway to raise awareness of this issue and your personal experiences may vary based on your location and role. Numerous resources are available to deepen your understanding of this topic in Peru.
A day in the life of an ETA in Peru:
Link to the video: A day in the life of an ETA in Peru
Eligibility
9 Months
- Candidates currently residing in Peru, or those who will be living there during the 2025-2026 academic year, are not eligible for consideration.
- A candidate who has lived outside the United States for five or more consecutive years within the six-year period preceding the application deadline will be ineligible.
- Individuals with dual U.S.- Peru citizenship or permanent residency are eligible.
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) Form
If required, submission of the Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is mandatory, even if you have advanced skills or are a native speaker of the language. Failure to submit the required FLE form may impact your eligibility.
Additional Information: A Foreign Language Evaluation by a college-level Spanish language instructor is required.
Successful candidates must be articulate English speakers with native-level fluency.
Foreign Language Proficiency Level by Grant Start
If a Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is Required, applicants must have the following proficiency level by the start of the grant period. If a Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is Recommended, applicants are encouraged but not required to have the following level by the start of the grant period.
Placement Type
- Secondary School
Grantees will be assigned to teaching assistant positions at COARS (Government-run High Performance Schools) in Lima or in the Peruvian provinces.
ETAs will serve as language-learning assistants, but will not be responsible for teaching entire courses. The Fulbright Commission will match each grantee with the most suitable host institution based on their academic background and the needs of the institution. Assignment details will be coordinated between the Fulbright Commission and the host institution. If necessary, the Commission will discuss alternative project options with the grantee upon placement.
Placement Locations
- Capital City
- Regional City
- Rural
ETAs may be placed in rural or urban areas depending on the location of the host institution.
Award Benefits
- A stipend broadly based on the cost of living in the host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to support housing, meals, and incidental costs during the grant period.
- International travel benefits
- Accident & sickness health benefits
- 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
- 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
- English language teaching preparatory course
Stipend Amount
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
One-Time Allowances
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
- Research/Materials allowance
- Settling in allowance
Both a $500 one time settling in allowance, and a $500 academic allowance will be provided upon arrival to Peru.
Additional Grant Benefits
- Mid-year seminar
Supplementary Project
English Teaching Assistants responsibilities at their host institution will be up to 25 hours per week; therefore, grantees are expected to engage in other activities related to their personal, career, and/or educational interests. Applicants should consider a project that they would pursue if awarded the grant. Applicants should keep in mind that these activities should be flexible respective to geographic location, since they will not know where they will be placed until October 2026. For example, ETAs may pursue a course of study, conduct research into topics or issues relative to Peru, engage in specific volunteer activities, or a combination of these activities.
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
Approximately $1,062 USD in Lima/month.
This website may help you estimate the cost of living, meals, and incidentals in different capital cities. Significant differences can exist in smaller towns where costs tend to be lower.
Dependents
Housing Arrangements
The Fulbright Commission will work with COARs to assist in finding housing options prior to your arrival. After the orientation in Lima, a Fulbright representative will accompany you to the province where your host COAR is located and will help you explore the available housing options.