Program Overview
The Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program (TEA) is an intensive non-credit, non-degree, six-week professional development program at a U.S. university (January – March 2026 or September – October 2026), for secondary school teachers of English as a Foreign Language, Math, Science, and Social Studies. The program is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, and includes educator training, field experience in U.S. schools, exchange of best practices in teaching, and civic and cultural activities.
Program Components
Teachers who are selected to participate in the TEA Program will:
Take part in tailored graduate-level seminars at a U.S. host university.
Observe classes, co-teach, and share their expertise with U.S. colleagues in U.S. secondary schools.
Engage in an online professional learning community with other participants to share best practices and other elements of the United States and Uruguay educational systems; and
Take part in other educational and cultural activities while on program in the United States.
Upon returning home, teachers will share the knowledge and experience gained on the program with teachers and students in their home schools and communities.
University Coursework
Weekly Seminars: Teachers will participate in weekly seminars at their host university featuring presentations and discussions led by university staff, faculty members, and invited educational experts. The TEA Program provides academic seminars focusing on new teaching methodologies, student-centered learning, content-based instruction, lesson planning, and instructional technology training for teachers.
U.S. School Placements: The program will also include a practicum of at least 40 hours with a U.S. partner teacher in a secondary school near the host university to actively engage participants in the U.S. classroom environment. Cultural enrichment, mentoring, and support will be provided to participants throughout the program.
Online Professional Learning Community: Each teacher will participate in a virtual community with other international educators to collaborate and share best practices about education and leadership in the participating countries.
Important note: the safety and security of participating teachers and their home and host communities is our first priority. If the COVID-19 pandemic continues into 2024 and 2025 or there are other emergencies, the program may need to be adjusted.
How to Apply
The application for the TEA program 2025-2026 is online. Candidates can access the online application at: https://fulbright.irex.org
For instructions on how to complete the application, check the Program Online Application Guide for Applicants.
Program Dates
Spring 2026: six weeks in late January-mid March 2026, or
Fall 2026: six weeks in September-October 2026
Program Provisions
The TEA program provides participants with:
J-1 visa support (teachers must cover the cost of the passport);
Pre-departure orientation in Montevideo;
Round-trip airfare to and within the United States;
Academic program fees;
Housing and meals;
Accident and sickness health care coverage;
Transportation to the practicum school (as needed);
A daily allowance for incidentals during the university academic program;
A baggage allowance;
An end-of-program workshop, probably virtual;
The opportunity for alumni in good standing to apply for alumni small grants
Travel: IREX will make international travel arrangements and provide all teachers with an international airline ticket and a travel allowance to cover the cost of incidental expenses. Teachers will also be reimbursed for round-trip travel expenses between their home city and the point of departure for the United States; however, participants are responsible for making these domestic travel arrangements to and from the international airport.
You must arrive in the United States on the start date of the TEA Program and return home at the conclusion of the program. Any personal travel during the program must be approved by IREX. You may not miss any program activities (including, but not limited to, courses, workshops, field experience, cultural and civic activities) for personal travel or visits. You may not travel outside of the United States. If you do plan to travel within the United States, you are responsible for all related expenses and travel arrangements and must seek prior approval from IREX and your host university at least two weeks in advance by completing the U.S. Travel Authorization Form.
Housing: Participants will live on or near the host university campus in housing in rooms arranged for them by the university. Dependents (spouses, children, etc.) are not permitted to accompany the teachers on the program.
Maintenance Allowances: Each teacher will receive a maintenance allowance during the program to cover expenses such as supplies for classes, household items, personal items, and cultural and other activities. Included in this total is a daily stipend to purchase groceries, meals at local restaurants, or food from on-campus dining services.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants must meet the following requirements:
Be a current citizen and resident of Uruguay at the time of application and of program participation;
Have earned a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent;
Demonstrate oral and written English language proficiency, and earn a minimum score of 45 on the TOEFL iBT examination in April 2025; if you are pre-selected, the cost of the test will be covered by the program;
Be a current, full-time, secondary school teacher of English as a Foreign Language (EFL), Math, Science, and Social Studies at a public secondary school, UTU, and/or charter-type school;
Teachers responsible for teaching additional grade levels must teach middle or high school students more than 50% of their work time in order to be eligible for the program;
Have completed at least three years of full-time teaching by the start of the program, with a preference for those who have completed at least five or more years of full-time teaching;
Demonstrate a commitment to continue teaching after completion of the program; and
Have submitted a complete application.
Please note that applicants who have had few or no opportunities to travel to the United States will be given priority.
TEA Program Information
For more information you can check the Program Information Sheet, or contact Marcela Serra (serramm@state.gov) at the U.S. Embassy in Montevideo.
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