The Fulbright U.S.-ASEAN Programs are prestigious initiatives designed to strengthen educational ties, foster collaboration, and deepen people-to-people engagement between the United States and ASEAN member states. Launched over the past decade, these programs have grown into a vital platform for scholars, professionals, and institutions to address regional challenges and opportunities.
Fulbright U.S.-ASEAN Visiting Scholar Initiative (For Southeast Asians)
This initiative, launched in 2012, provides opportunities for scholars and professionals from ASEAN countries to conduct research in the United States.
Key Highlights:
- Purpose: Deepen U.S.-ASEAN engagement and strengthen educational collaboration.
- Expansion:
- 2012: Program launched.
- 2022: Scholarships doubled to 20.
- 2024: Two additional scholarships added for Timor-Leste.
- Scope of Research: Regional issues with implications across ASEAN.
- Impact: Over 150 scholars have completed three-to-four-month research programs at U.S. institutions.
Research Topics Covered:
- Public health and global health challenges.
- ASEAN economic integration.
- Indo-Pacific regional engagement.
- Jurisdictional issues in the South China Sea.
- Human trafficking.
- Food safety and food technology.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Open to:
- University faculty.
- Foreign ministry and government officials.
- Journalists.
- Professional staff of think tanks and NGOs.
- Citizenship: Must be from one of the 10 ASEAN member states or Timor-Leste.
- Language: Proficiency in English required.
- Accomplishment: Applicants must demonstrate significant scholarly or professional achievements.
- Residency: Must reside in an ASEAN member state during nomination and selection.
- Return Requirement: Scholars must return to their home country after completing the program.
- Preference: Given to applicants without recent or substantial U.S. experience.
Eligible Fields of Study:
- Education.
- Financial market integration.
- Food technology.
- Information sciences.
- Journalism.
- Law.
- Environmental science.
- Public administration.
- Public/global health.
- Trade and investment.
Fulbright ASEAN Research Program (For U.S. Scholars)
Launched in 2016, this program allows U.S. scholars to conduct collaborative research in ASEAN countries.
Key Highlights:
- Purpose: Strengthen U.S.-ASEAN relations through collaborative research.
- Scope: Research on issues of priority to ASEAN or the U.S.-ASEAN relationship.
- Reach: Scholars may work in up to three ASEAN member states.
- Impact: 30 U.S. scholars selected to date.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Open to academics and qualified professionals outside academia.
- Citizenship: Must be U.S. citizens residing in the United States at the time of application.
- Institutional Affiliation: Applicants must be affiliated with a university, research institute, or government agency in each host country.
- Degree Requirement: PhD preferred; master’s degree holders considered.
- Career Stage: Applications encouraged from both established and early-career scholars.
Preferred Fields of Research:
- Economics and trade policy.
- Law and international law.
- Political science and comparative politics.
- Public administration and public policy.
- Public health.
- Diplomacy and dispute settlement.
- Human migration and trafficking.
- Marine conservation.
- Regional security.
- Environmental sciences and wildlife trafficking.
Alumni Impact
The Fulbright U.S.-ASEAN Programs have produced a vibrant alumni network of scholars who continue to contribute to regional development and global dialogue.
Examples of Alumni Contributions:
- Advancing public health initiatives.
- Strengthening financial market integration.
- Promoting environmental sustainability.
- Enhancing educational collaboration.
- Addressing human trafficking and migration challenges.
Application Timeline (2026–2027 Cycle)
Deadlines vary by country. Below are key dates:
- Burma: December 7, 2025.
- Brunei Darussalam: January 15, 2026.
- Cambodia: January 16, 2026.
- Indonesia: December 15, 2025.
- Timor-Leste: December 12, 2025.
- Singapore: January 23, 2025.
- Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines: Applications closed for this cycle.
Why Apply?
The Fulbright U.S.-ASEAN Programs offer:
- Access to world-class U.S. institutions.
- Opportunities to address pressing regional challenges.
- A platform for building long-term professional networks.
- Recognition as part of a prestigious global fellowship.
- Contribution to strengthening ASEAN-U.S. relations.
The Fulbright U.S.-ASEAN Programs stand as a cornerstone of educational diplomacy, fostering collaboration across borders and disciplines. Whether you are a Southeast Asian scholar seeking to expand your research horizons or a U.S. academic eager to engage with ASEAN partners, these programs provide a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact.
By participating, scholars not only advance their own careers but also contribute to the collective progress of the ASEAN region and its partnership with the United States. Learn more and Apply now.
