The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Tajikistan works to foster mutual understanding between the United States and Tajikistan through international educational and training exchange programs. The relationships formed among the participants lead to personal, professional, and institutional ties between private citizens and organizations in the United States and abroad.
Tajik students and professionals can apply for several exchange programs sponsored by the U.S. Government, administered through American Councils and IREX (the International Research and Exchanges Board).
In addition, there is an EducationUSA Center located in Dushanbe, operated by American Councils. EducationUSA advisor can help you search for educational opportunities in the United States, as well as scholarship and financial support information. Please contact American Councils in Dushanbe for more information.
Exchanges for Students
Central Asian Journalist-in-Residence Program
Central Asian Journalist-in-Residence Program: Up to 12 journalists from Central Asia are provided internships at media outlets in America for one month and take part in trainings and seminars. Participants should be proficient in English.
Age range: over 21 years
Duration of the program: 1 month
To apply or for more information, please visit: Program Announcement
Deadline: November 15, 2019
TechGirls Program
TechGirls is an international summer exchange program designed to empower and inspire young girls from the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia to pursue careers in science and technology. TechGirls is an initiative by the US Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and administered by Legacy International. Legacy International is a U.S. based non-governmental organization that equips emerging leaders to transform their values and vision into sustainable success. Learn more at https://techgirlsglobal.org/
Age range: 15-17
Duration of the program: 4 weeks
To apply: Program Announcement
Deadline: December 16, 2022, at 12:00 PM EST
Between the Lines: Peace and the Writing Experience
Between the Lines: Peace and the Writing Experience is sponsored through a cooperative agreement with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US State Department. Alongside 10-12 American peers, 30 international participants come together for two weeks of rigorous BTL summer programming at the University of Iowa. Eligible countries include those along the historic Silk Road land route. Posts in the following countries are invited to nominate students for the 2020 BTL program: Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Egypt, Georgia, India, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Morocco, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Ukraine, UAE, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. With professional U.S. and international writers as their teachers, participants broaden their literary horizons, deepen their empathy and their understanding of one another’s culture, and improve their communication skills. All programming is conducted in English. Programming partners include the University of Iowa, and other local groups and university departments.
Age range: 15-18
Duration of the program: 2 weeks
Public applications are not accepted. Interested applicants should contact the U.S. Embassy for more information.
To apply or for more information, please visit: Program Announcement
Deadline: March 24, 2021
Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) for Student Leaders on Women’s Leadership
Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSIs) for Student Leaders are intensive short-term academic programs whose purpose is to provide groups of undergraduate student leaders with a deeper understanding of the United States while simultaneously enhancing their leadership skills. The five-week Institutes will consist of a balanced series of seminar discussions, readings, group presentations, and lectures. The coursework and classroom activities will be complemented by educational travel, site visits, leadership activities, and volunteer opportunities within the local community. Each Institute will include a four week academic residency component and a one week integrated study tour. During the academic residency, participants will also have the opportunity to engage in educational and cultural activities outside of the classroom.
Age range: 18-25
Duration of the program: 5 weeks
To apply or for more information, please visit: Program Announcement
Deadline: December 17, 2021
English Access Microscholarship Program (Access)
The purpose of the English Access Microscholarship Program is to provide disadvantaged youth with an opportunity to learn English language skills and enhance leadership through teaching the basics of American culture and values of democratic development and civic engagement. The program targets ninth grade secondary school students from underprivileged families to participate in the program. English Access Microscholarship programs must provide two years of English study, consisting of at least 180 hours of instruction per year. The program should consist of English language courses, as well as out-of-classroom activities and enhancement elements. Examples of enhancement elements related to English language and American culture include, but are not limited to, activities such as drama, computers, dance, art, music, games, sports, local trips, special cultural projects such as celebrating the Fourth of July, and/or events meant to develop leadership skills, build the spirit of team work, and promote social responsibility and tolerance. English Access Microscholarship Program intensive summer sessions are an important activity to supplement and/or conclude a student’s two-year English language programming. The sessions should be a minimum of one week long and may incorporate into their activities native and non-native English speaking partners in a summer camp format.
Age range: 14-18
Duration of the program: 2 years
To apply or for more information, please visit: 2021-2023 Program Announcement
Deadline: May 24, 2021
Fulbright Foreign Student Program
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program provides opportunities to Tajik graduate students and young professionals to earn a Master’s degree in the U.S. universities. The Program is open to all fields of study, with the exception of medical sciences.
Age range: Applicants must have completed their undergraduate education and hold a bachelor’s degree
Duration of the program: 1 to 2 years
To apply or for more information, please visit: Fulbright Foreign Student Program (2024–2025 Academic Year)
Deadline: April 30, 2023
The Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX)
The Future Leaders Secondary School Exchange program (FLEX) is a US government-sponsored program for secondary school students from the 11 republics of the former Soviet Union (Eurasia). The program provides scholarship funding for students to travel to the United States, attend a US high school for a full academic year, and live with a US host family. The FLEX program was created by the United States Congress to help people in the United States and Tajikistan learn more about one other. Now in its 28th year, the program is fully funded by the U.S. Government and administered by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Testing is also conducted in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Georgia, Greece, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Mongolia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Turkmenistan, and Ukraine. The recruitment and selection process for this program is conducted by the American Councils for International Education: ACCELS. Please also visit: exchanges.state.gov
Age range: high school students (11 grade)
Duration of the program: an academic year
To apply or for more information, please visit: Program Announcement
Current Status: October 13, 2022
Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD)
Global UGRAD provides a diverse group of emerging student leaders with a scholarship for one semester of non-degree academic study at a U.S. college or university. The program is sponsored by the U.S Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and aims to recruit participants from underrepresented, non-elite backgrounds, who have not had other opportunities to study in the United States. Successful applicants can expect an in-depth exposure to U.S. society, culture, and academic institutions, as well as opportunities to enhance their professional skills.
Age range: over 18 years
Duration of the program: one semester of non-degree academic study
To apply or for more information, please visit: 2022-2023 Program Announcement
Deadline: January 6, 2022
C5+1 Youth Council
Youth Council C5+1 gathers students from countries of Central Asia to represent their views and to establish a sustainable communication between Central Asian youth representatives. In Fall 2016, AUCA in collaboration with U.S. State department has launched Youth Council C5+1 – a program in which 30 representatives of Central Asian region perform as a core group for organizing and participating in a series of workshops, trainings and seminars, debate tournaments, diplomacy-aimed events and small projects in civic engagement, all in support of reinforcing trust, mutual understanding and cooperation between Central Asian (CA) youth representatives.
Youth Council C5+1 aims educational and inspirational experience that will challenge students to engage on important topics under the supervision of specialists of certain spheres. The program will bring prominent group of experts to inspire and mentor 30 young leaders, to build the conversation, cultivate empathy and widen their circles of compassion. By the end of project we expect participants to develop their own recommendations that can make Central Asian countries more cooperative with each other.
Age range: University students up to 30 years old
Duration of the program: C5+1 Youth Council has been operating virtually since March 2020 due to pandemic
To apply or for more information, please visit: Program Announcement
Deadline: March 3, 2021
Exchanges for Professionals
Reporting Tour for Journalists
Reporting Tours for Journalists: A group of eight journalists from Central Asia travel to the United States for 10 days to report on aspects of American society. These tours are led by an American producer and organized in coordination with the Foreign Press Center of the United States Department of State. Themes for 2020 include: Public Health, Trade and Investment, Environmental Issues, U.S. Elections, and Women in Government.
Age range: over 18 years
Duration of the program: 10 days
To apply or for more information, please visit: Program Announcement
Deadline: January 22, 2020
Study Tours for Journalists
Study Tours for Journalists: A group of eight journalists from Central Asia travel to the United States for 10 days to learn about modern techniques in journalism and meet with counterparts working in their field. The 10-day study tours include interviews, seminars, workshops, and meetings. Themes for 2020 include: Modern Technologies in the Newsroom, University Education for Journalists, Working with Press Offices, and Managing Sources of Information.
Age range: over 18 years
Duration of the program: 10 days
To apply or for more information, please visit: Program Announcement
Deadline: January 22, 2020
Summer Journalism Institute
Summer Journalism Institute: Up to 40 young journalists and journalism students from Central Asia study topics in modern journalism for one month at the American University in Bishkek. The institute includes trainings on ethics, professionalism, multi-media skills development, source verification, and understanding of disinformation. The course takes place June-July. Participants must be fluent in Russian.
Age range: over 18 years
Duration of the program: 1 month
To apply or for more information, please visit: Program Announcement
Deadline: February 19, 2021
TechWomen Program
TechWomen brings emerging women leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) from Africa, Central and South Asia and the Middle East together with their counterparts in the United States for a professional mentorship and exchange program. The program connects and supports the next generation of women leaders in STEM fields by providing them access and opportunity to advance their careers, pursue their dreams and make an impact in their community. https://www.techwomen.org/
Age range: Have, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree/four-year university degree or equivalent.
Duration of the program: 8 weeks
To apply or for more information, please visit: Program Announcement
Deadline: January 5, 2022
International Visitor Leadership Program
The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is a professional exchange program funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The mission of IVLP is to offer current and emerging international leaders the opportunity to experience the richness and diversity of American political, economic, social and cultural life through carefully designed exchanges that reflect participants’ professional interests and the public diplomacy objectives of the United States government. The exchange brings up to 5,000 professional emerging leaders from around the world to the United States each year for programs of up to three weeks. The program is nomination only by staff at U.S. Embassies.
Age range: Have, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree/four-year university degree or equivalent.
Duration of the program: 4 weeks
Deadline: Once a year
Open World Program
Funded by the U.S. Congress, the Open World program has enabled more than 27,000 current and future leaders from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan to meaningfully engage and interact with Members of Congress, Congressional staff, and thousands of other Americans, many of whom are the delegates’ direct professional counterparts. The main objective of the Open World program is to create a network of emerging leaders dedicated to effecting positive change in their home countries, and to connect these leaders with their American professional colleagues who are interested in further cooperation and collaboration that will generate concrete results. Programs are 10 days in length and delegations consist of 5 delegates and one facilitator (usually a PAS staff member). Participants stay with host families while in the United States. Delegates in Open World programs come from all levels of government, NGOs, media, and the private sector. Open World delegates are relatively young. The program is particularly focused on emerging national and local legislators, elected officials, community leaders, and judges for the Judge-to-Judge program. Recent topics include Tajik Parliamentarians, educators, and women leaders.
Age range: Have, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree/four-year university degree or equivalent.
Duration of the program: 12 days
Deadline: once a year
Community Solutions Program
The Community Solutions Program (CSP), sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and implemented by IREX, provides community leaders from around the world with an intensive, professional development exchange program in the United States from August to December 2020. CSP fellows gain valuable experience in community work and strengthen their capacity for leadership and development in their home countries.
Age range: 25-38
Duration of the travel: August to December 2022
To apply or for more information, please visit: 2022-2023 Program Announcement
Deadline: October 27, 2021
OneBeat Music Exchange Program
OneBeat℠ Music Exchange Program – the centerpiece of OneBeat will be month-long programs consisting of a U.S.-based residency and tour. During the residencies, participants will form small collaborative ensembles that improvise across genres, reinvent traditional tunes, compose original work, record in the state-of-the-art OneBeat mobile studio, and prepare for performances and educational workshops. The groups will then tour to cities within the U.S. to perform the music they have developed during the residency, perform with local musicians, and partner with community-based organizations to conduct creative workshops with local youth. The program will culminate in a high-profile final concert, and a professionally-produced album featuring tracks recorded in the OneBeat mobile studio.
Age range: 19-35
Duration of the program: 1 month
To apply or for more information, please visit: Program Announcement
Deadline: March 10, 2021
Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) for Secondary Educators
The Study of the U.S. Institutes for Secondary Educators are intensive post-graduate level academic programs with integrated study tours whose purpose is to provide foreign secondary educators and administrators the opportunity to deepen their understanding of U.S. society, culture, values, and institutions. The ultimate goal of the Institutes is to strengthen curricula and to enhance the quality of teaching about the United States in secondary schools and other academic institutions abroad. Three Institutes for Secondary Educators will be offered, two with a focus on classroom teachers and the third with a focus on administrators, including teacher trainers, curriculum developers, textbook writers, and ministry of education officials, among others. Each Institute will have 20 participants and will include a four-week academic residency component and a one week integrated study tour.
Age range: candidates should be mid-career, between the ages of 30 and 50
Duration of the program: 5 weeks
To apply or for more information, please visit: Program Announcement
Deadline: December 20, 2021
Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) for Scholars
Study of the U.S. Institutes for Scholars (SUSIs) are intensive post-graduate level academic programs with integrated study tours whose purpose is to provide foreign university faculty and other scholars the opportunity to deepen their understanding of U.S. society, culture, values, and institutions. The ultimate goal of the Institutes is to strengthen curricula and to enhance the quality of teaching about the United States in academic institutions abroad. Study of the U.S. Institutes for Scholars will take place at various colleges, universities, and academic institutions throughout the United States over the course of six weeks. Each Institute includes a four-week academic residency component and up to two weeks of an integrated study tour to another region of the United States.
Age range: candidates should be mid-career, typically between the ages of 30 and 50
Duration of the program: 6 weeks
To apply or for more information, please visit: Program Announcement
Deadline: December 20, 2021
English for Journalists Program
The purpose of the English for Journalists Program is to provide an opportunity for journalists to gain English language skills in order to access English language sources, write English articles, and conduct interviews and reports in English. During the course, journalists will also be familiarized with international standards of journalism ethics.
Age range: journalists and press secretaries working in government and nongovernmental organizations
Duration of the program: 10 months
To apply or for more information, please visit: 2022-2023 Program Announcement
Deadline: July 31, 2022
English Teaching Mentor Program
The English Teaching Mentor (ETM) Program is designed to develop the teaching skills of English teachers in secondary schools and universities by providing intensive, high level instruction in teaching English as a foreign language. The program is designed for early – or mid-career teachers who have not had training abroad. Participants must develop a plan to train teachers in their schools and universities at the conclusion of their year as ETM fellows. The selected teachers will attend four intensive training seminars during the year in Dushanbe. The English Language Fellow from the United States and the English Language Specialist will deliver training sessions. The ETM alumni will be involved in observations of training sessions, development of activities for training and delivery of training sessions through team teaching, coaching, mentoring etc.
Age range: current teachers of English at the primary, secondary, or university level who have a strong desire to mentor and teach other teachers.
Duration of the program: four intensive, multi-day training workshops in Dushanbe
To apply or for more information, please visit: 2020-2021 Program Announcement
Deadline: February 5, 2020
Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program
Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program awards are offered to experienced Tajik professionals, university faculty members, and researchers at relevant governmental and non-governmental organization (with ten years or more professional experience) to pursue research at U.S. universities for a period up to one academic year.
Age range: applicants must hold a doctoral degree or equivalent professional qualification at the time of application
Duration of the program: one academic year
To apply or for more information, please visit: 2023-2024 Program Announcement
Deadline: October 3, 2022
The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program provides accomplished Tajik young and mid-career professionals with ten months of non-degree academic study, leadership development, and professional enrichment in the United States. Humphrey Fellows are selected based on their potential for leadership and commitment to public service either in the public or the private sector. Seventeen major universities across the United States host Humphrey Fellows.
Age range: University degree
Duration of the program: ten months
To apply or for more information, please visit: 2023-2024 Program Announcement
Deadline: May 31, 2022
Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program (FLTA)
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), the Fulbright FLTA Program is a nine-month non-degree program aimed at strengthening foreign language instruction at U.S. colleges and universities, while providing current or future teachers of English with the opportunity to refine their skills, increase their English language proficiency, and extend their knowledge of U.S. society and culture. Fulbright FLTA participants also interact with their host communities in conversation groups, extracurricular activities, and community outreach projects. Fulbright FLTA participants must return to their home countries upon completion of the program.
Age range: teachers of English or in training to become teachers of English
Duration of the program: nine-month non-degree program
To apply or for more information, please visit: 2023-2024 Program Announcement
Deadline: July 20, 2022
Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program – Media Literacy Cohort
A program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), administered by IREX. The Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program- Media Literacy Cohort (Fulbright TEA ML) brings international secondary school teachers to the United States for a six-week program to take coursework for professional development at a host university, observe and share their expertise with U.S. colleagues, and develop action plans to promote media literacy and critical thinking skills in their home schools, classrooms, and communities.
Age range: Current secondary-level, full-time teachers of English, English as a Foreign Language (EFL), home country language and literature, social studies, civics, history, global studies, media studies, communications, journalism, law, or related fields at institutions serving primarily a local population
Duration of the program: six-week program
To apply or for more information, please visit: Program Announcement
Deadline: March 1, 2022
Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program (TEA)
A program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), administered by IREX. The Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement (TEA) Program brings international teachers to the Unites States for a six-week program that offers academic seminars for professional development at a host university. Participants observe classrooms and share their expertise with teachers and students at the host university and at local secondary schools.
Age range: teachers of English, math, science, social studies, including special education teachers
Duration of the program: six-week program
To apply or for more information, please visit: Program Announcement
Deadline: February 28, 2022
Exchanges for Institutions
Fulbright Specialist Program
The Fulbright Specialist Program gives opportunity to host institutions to invite a specialist that will assist in implementing projects that have an education or training focus. Specialist’s program length can range from 14 to 42 days, including weekends, holidays and travel days. Projects should have concrete objectives that can be achieved over the course of the Specialist’s visit.
Duration of the program: 14 to 42 days
To apply or for more information, please visit: Program Announcement
Deadline: September 5, 2022