Frequently Asked Questions

We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding Fulbright programs for US citizens to Indonesia. If you are looking for information, please check the FAQs first. If you cannot find the information you are looking for, please contact AMINEF at infofulbright_usa@aminef.or.id

What Fulbright programs in Indonesia are available to US citizens to apply to?

There are two categories of Fulbright grants for Americans administered by AMINEF, in addition to several special grant categories.

For those who have recently obtained bachelor’s and master’s degrees, the Fulbright US Student Program offers fellowships to do independent research or to serve as an English Teaching Assistant (ETA) in an Indonesian high school.

For more senior applicants who hold the doctorate or equivalent degree, the Fulbright US Scholar Program offers the chance to do research for ten months or to teach for one semester at an Indonesian university.

Also classified as US Scholars are US Fulbright Specialists, who have expertise in a particular field, usually hold an advanced degree, are registered with the Fulbright Specialist Roster, and have been invited by an Indonesian host institution to help with a specific short-term project (two to six weeks). The Indonesian institution applies to CIES, which then approves the choice of Fulbright Specialist from the Roster.

In addition, Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Awards are given through US universities by the US Department of Education. Applicants, who must have achieved doctoral candidacy and are given awards to carry out research for a doctoral dissertation, apply through their universities. The program is not administered by AMINEF, but AMINEF advises the US Department of State in the selection and placement process, and helps the DDRA grantees to secure Indonesian government research permits and visas.

There are also special programs, such as the Fulbright-National Geographic Digital Storytelling Fellowship Program, the Fulbright ASEAN Research Award, and the Critical Language Enhancement Award program. NatGeo is for general US Student application; ASEAN is one of the US Scholar awards, but is open for junior or senior applicants, and CLEA is for Fulbright US Student grant awardees only.

How do I determine which program is suitable to my background?

Faculty members who hold PhD degrees and other professionals with advanced degrees are qualified to apply for a Fulbright US Scholar program or to the Fulbright Specialist Roster.

Recent college graduates, or graduate students or doctoral candidates with limited professional experience, can apply to the Fulbright US Student research program. Generally those who apply as an English Teaching Assistant are recent bachelor’s or master’s degree holders.

What are IIE and CIES? What are their roles in the Fulbright Program?

The Fulbright Program is the US Department of State’s flagship educational exchange program. To administer the Fulbright Program the State Department contracts with the Institute of International Education (IIE) in New York and IIE’s division, the Council of International Exchange for Scholars (CIES).

IIE manages the US Student Program. It conducts promotional outreach, receives applications, and conducts the initial screening of the Fulbright US Student Research and ETA applications.

CIES manages the US Scholar Program, including the Fulbright Specialist Program.

American applicants apply directly to IIE and CIES. The two organizations later forward a shortlist of Fulbright applications to AMINEF for final selection. Grantees report on the progress or completion of their projects to both IIE or CIES and to AMINEF.

What role does AMINEF play in the Fulbright Program?

As a binational Fulbright Commission, one of about 50 worldwide, AMINEF administers Fulbright programs in Indonesia. It is the main point of contact for all US Fulbright grantees while they are in Indonesia.

AMINEF’s Board of Managers have appointed a binational Educational Exchange Committee (EEC), which serves as a selection committee. It meets periodically to recommend selection of nominees, both Indonesians applying for Fulbright scholarships or fellowships in the US, and Americans applying for Fulbright grants in Indonesia who have passed the initial States-side screening by IIE or CIES. AMINEF then nominates candidates to the J. William Fulbright Scholarship Board in Washington, appointed by the US President.

How do I apply for a Fulbright US grant to Indonesia?

Fulbright US Student applicants, both for Research and ETA awards, must apply online through IIE. For the special Fulbright-NatGeo awards you also apply online through IIE at NatGeo.

Fulbright US Scholar applicants must apply online through IIE choosing “Core Fulbright US Scholar Program” there. For the special ASEAN Research Awards, choose the following link at the IIE site.

If you want to register yourself on the Fulbright Specialist Roster, you should do so at the World Learning website.

Those seeking the Department of Education’s Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Award will need to apply through their university. See also DOE.

Can I apply directly to AMINEF?

No. Applications sent directly to AMINEF will not be considered. You must apply via the various online application systems mentioned above.

What is the application deadline for Fulbright US Scholar Program?

It is usually around August. Please check the CIES website periodically for further updates.

What is the application deadline for Fulbright US Student Program (including ETA)?

It is usually around October. Please check the IIE website and click here for further updates.

I want to become a Fulbright Specialist in Indonesia. How do I do so? Is there a deadline for registering at the Fulbright Specialist Roster?

To become a Fulbright Specialist in Indonesia (or elsewhere) andto be eligible to be given a grant to help alocal institution applying for a Specialist, you will first need to be registered at the Fulbright Specialist Roster. You may do so at the World Learning portal here.

Whom should I contact if I have questions about application procedure or when I encounter difficulties when filling out the online application?

Fulbright US Student Research and ETA applicants should contact FBStudent.EAP@iie.org

Fulbright US Scholars applicants should contact scholars@iie.org

If you have questions about the Fulbright Specialists program, you should contact World Learning here. Please check back here for updated contact name and address.

I want to find teaching or research affiliations. However, I am not familiar with Indonesian universities. What should I do?

At the website of the Indonesian accreditation agency, National Accreditation Agency for Higher Education (BAN-PT), is a list of all Indonesian higher education institutions. These are listed alphabetically by group, first by “Akademi” (Academy), then by “Institut” (Institute) and finally by “Universitas” (University). However, if you click on the arrow at the “Peringkat” (Accreditation Grade) column, the institutions will be listed by accreditation grade, highest grade A first. This will give some sense of the which are the better universities.

You may also inquire with staff of AMINEF at infofulbright_usa@aminef.or.id if you need general advice on finding a suitable host institution.

I need to be connected with certain contact persons from host institutions in Indonesia. Can I ask AMINEF to contact them on my behalf?

Unfortunately, AMINEF cannot act on behalf of Fulbright applicants. Once applicants have been awarded Fulbright grants and thus become Fulbright grantees, AMINEF will help them to get in touch with their contacts in Indonesia.

Can I ask AMINEF to review my application before I submit it?

AMINEF staff or EEC members are not able to provide feedback, either on proposals before they are submitted or on the reasons for selection or non-selection (see question below). This is in accordance with J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board policy which aims to ensure equal opportunity to all applicants.

I was not selected for an award. Can you tell me why not?

No. Fulbright applications are evaluated by panels in accordance with standards that are competitive, merit-based, open, and transparent. The process ultimately involves the US Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) as sponsoring agency of the worldwide Fulbright Program, and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FSB) which gives final approval and selection of candidates. This program is administered in accordance with all relevant FSB Policies.

The policy on selection and non-selection stipulates, "It is the policy of the Board not to give to individual applicants, to others inquiring on their behalf, or to the public generally, the specific reasons for selection or non-selection of applicants for awards under the program."

Moreover, since each year the number of well-qualified applicants greatly outnumbers the scholarships available, it is practically speaking impossible to explain specifically why a candidate is not selected, since each applicant is judged by the members of the Selection Committees in relation to all the other candidates who have applied in a given year's competition, and relative judgments must be made given the facts at hand.

Do I need to pass a medical examination to qualify for a Fulbright scholarship?

Yes. You will need to pass a medical examination and you may be asked to provide information about your medical history, certification of good health, and vaccinations. You may also be asked to undertake a chest x-ray if required.

When can I commence my Fulbright program in Indonesia?

Most grant projects can begin in September, except US Scholar teaching awards, which begin in the second semester, mid-January. Projects must begin no later than May 1st of the following year.

The ETA Program will start in mid-late August each year, and all ETAs will arrive together as a group. AMINEF will inform ETAs on the exact starting date in the acceptance letter.

Can I defer my Fulbright grant to Indonesia?

No. Your grant must be taken within the specified time frame

Are unsuccessful applicants precluded from making Fulbright applications in the future?

No. Previously unsuccessful applicants are strongly encouraged to re-submit.

Can I work in Indonesia while doing my Fulbright project?

No. Due to visa restrictions, you are not allowed to work or receive income from an Indonesian institution, whether for-profit or not-for-profit.

I have been awarded a Fulbright grant. When should I start working with AMINEF to secure a research or teaching permit to Indonesia?

As soon as you have received notification of your award, you should get in contact with staff at AMINEF to help you secure permission to carry out your Fulbright grant project in Indonesia, be it a research or teaching permit, and a stay permit, or visa.

How long does it typically take to get a research permit and visa?

It can take between two to three months after you submit all of the required documents to the Indonesian government, but sometimes even longer. AMINEF will provide you with detailed information on the process once you are selected as a grantee.

How long does it typically take to get a teaching permit and visa?

It usually takes between five to six months after you completed all of your documents to AMINEF. The long process involves securing permission from at least five different Indonesian government agencies. AMINEF will provide you with detailed information on this process once you are selected as a grantee.

Is there any chance that a Fulbright grantee is not granted a research or teaching permit and visa?

The Indonesian Government makes the decisions on granting research or teaching permits and visas. It is entirely possible (though statistically not very likely) that may not refuse to research or teaching permission or visa, for various reasons, not always predictable.

AMINEF will assist grantees to secure permits and visas. However, our role is limited and we cannot guarantee success in all cases. The decision is up to the Indonesian government.

Can I travel around or outside Indonesia during the period of my Fulbright grant?

Yes. You can travel around or outside Indonesia during your Fulbright grant. However, AMINEF has a specific travel policy for each of the programs (more stringent for ETAs who are expected to work at their school sites for the bulk of their time). The policy for each grant will be announced to you if you are selected as a grantee.

Although generally Indonesia is a safe country, American citizens need to be cautious when traveling in certain provinces prone to social unrest or natural disasters. The US State Department page on Indonesia has two long and useful sections on Safety and Security” and “Local Laws & Special Circumstances” at its page on Indonesia .

Does the Fulbright program provide health insurance that will cover me if I become ill or injured in Indonesia?

The United States Department of State provides Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE) coverage during your grant period at no cost to you. This plan should not be construed as an insurance policy, however. ASPE is a self-funded health benefits plan designed to pay covered medical expenses for eligible Exchange Participants. AMINEF encourages grantees to retain their own health insurance in addition to APSE.

ASPE, however, is not available for the Fulbright Specialists grantees, who are advised to purchase travel insurance.

Will the ASPE health benefit cover a pre-existing condition?

No. ASPE will not cover pre-existing conditions. You are advised to have any treatments completed before leaving home, and it is strongly recommended that you take out additional cover.