Fulbright US–ASEAN Visiting Scholar Program

The Fulbright US–ASEAN Visiting Scholar Program is open to university faculty, foreign ministry or other government officials, and professional staff of the private sector, think tanks, and other NGOs in the ASEAN member states.  Selected Fulbright US-ASEAN Visiting Scholars will travel to the United States for three to four months during the first half of 2027 and conduct research on priority issues that impact the US-ASEAN relationship, ASEAN priority issues, and/or have clear implications for the entire ASEAN region. Projects should be recommended that are regional in scope and/or have clear implications for the entire ASEAN region. The program prioritizes research on US-ASEAN relationship topics with regional significance, distinct from bilateral awards. The US–ASEAN selection committee anticipates selecting up to 22 qualified applicants, with approximately two participants from each ASEAN member state, including Timor-Leste.

The United States prioritizes sustained engagement across Asia as a strategic priority, including working closely with multilateral institutions such as ASEAN.  The Fulbright US-ASEAN Visiting Scholar Initiative began in 2012 to deepen people-to-people engagement and strengthen ties with ASEAN member nations. This initiative complements programs like the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI). Since 2012, over 150 scholars from ASEAN member states have pursued studies on public health/pandemic response, jurisdictional issues in the South China Sea, engagement across the Indo-Pacific region, ASEAN economic integration, human trafficking, and food safety.  In addition, during the past several years, U.S. Fulbright scholars have also conducted research on US-ASEAN priorities in multiple ASEAN countries.

General Requirements

Applicants from Indonesia should:

• Be an Indonesian citizen and resident in Indonesia throughout the nomination and selection process
• Be willing to return to Indonesia upon completion of their program in the United States
• Be a university faculty member, foreign ministry, government official, private sector professional, think tank representative, or personnel from other organizations focusing on US-ASEAN issues. Applicants will be expected to have a significant record of scholarly or professional accomplishment
• Be proficient in English

Preference will be given to qualified applicants who have not had recent and substantial experience in the United States.

Applicants are ineligible who:

• Are employees, close family members of an employee, or dependents of an employee of AMINEF, the US Embassy, or the US Department of State
• Are currently teaching, studying, or conducting research in the United States
• Have received a Fulbright grant within the past five years or have been to the United States as a J-1 Exchange Visitor in the category of professor or research scholar within the past two years

Research Fields

Applicants may apply to research topics that support broad ASEAN initiatives that further US goals for the region, such as support for regional economic and financial market integration, AI safety and policy, technology integration, expansion of maritime cooperation, education, food technology, information science, journalism, law, public administration, public health, trade, and investment. These programs and topics should reflect priority areas of the ASEAN Secretariat and the US Mission to ASEAN, and may also reflect priorities and relevance to the nominating country. Projects that are regional in scope and/or have clear implications for the entire ASEAN region are to be prioritized.

Application

Proposals should be for projects that will deepen the applicant’s understanding of one or more aspects of the US-ASEAN relationship.  While the program will focus primarily on research, participants should expand and develop their network of professional contacts so that professional relationships established during the grantee’s time in the United States can be sustained after the formal grant period has ended.  In addition, grantees should seek opportunities to provide an ASEAN perspective during their time in the United States through guest lectures, seminars, or participation in academic or professional conferences.  All applicants should establish a likely affiliation with a US institution, including universities, think tanks, and research institutes, in advance of submitting their formal applications.  Letters of invitation will enable program organizers to finalize suitable affiliations.

Selection Process

Application for this program will be evaluated by a binational peer review panel in accordance with normal Fulbright standards that are competitive, merit-based, open, and transparent standards, and give preference to qualified candidates who have little or no prior experience living in the United States. The US Mission to ASEAN staff in Jakarta and Indonesian scholars and experts will be involved in interviews of shortlisted candidates. The J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board in Washington will make the final selections.

Affiliation

All applicants are urged to establish a likely affiliation with a US institution, including universities, think tanks, and research institutes, before submitting their formal applications.  Letters of invitation will enable program organizers to finalize suitable affiliations.   

Note: all of the selected Fulbright US–ASEAN Visiting Scholars are to come to the United States during the first half of 2027, starting their grant between January and March 2027 and completing the program by May 31, 2027, at the latest. Program timing may change due to travel restrictions or other considerations.

Grant Period

The minimum period for an award is three months, and the maximum is four months.

Grant Benefits

The grant will provide:

• A monthly stipend for grantees, between US $3,164 and $4,805 per month, depending on the US city
• A direct-flight, round-trip economy-class air ticket and a $600 transit and baggage allowance
• A $2,233 Professional and Settling-in allowance
• Case-by-case basis consideration of any qualifying university lab or research fees
• Qualifying university lab and research fees up to $3,000, as necessary
• No dependent support will be available

Note:  Fulbright US–ASEAN Visiting Scholars typically convene in Washington, DC, near the end of their program (tentatively March 2027).

How to Apply

Applicants need to submit the application form through the online application. Here are the details for applying online:

• Register online and create an account by visiting the link at the AMINEF website: https://stu.aminef.or.id/grantee/
• Applications may be saved and updated as needed until submission
• Submitted applications are final and cannot be modified
• Early submission is recommended to avoid potential delays due to peak system usage
• For technical assistance with login, document uploads, or the application process, please email: helpdesk@aminef.or.id

Submission Requirements (to be supplied in English)

• Application form
• A project statement (three to five pages)
• Bibliography (up to three pages)
• Curriculum vitae (up to six pages)
• Letter of invitation from the host institution in the US (preferred but not required for the application, but mandatory before final selection/departure)
• Three letters of recommendation
• Copy of academic transcript and diploma (in original language and English translation)
• Copy of a valid identity document (KTP or passport)

Deadline

The deadline for submitting application materials for the program is December 1, 2025

*The exact deadlines every year may be subject to change. Only shortlisted applicants will be notified and interviewed.

Contact Information

For questions specifically related to the fellowship program, please direct inquiries via email to: infofulbright_ind@aminef.or.id