Academic Training Authorization Request

As a Fulbright grantee, you may be eligible to participate in academic training. Academic training is
temporary, limited employment authorized for a specific period for exceptional grantees to gain practical
experience in their field. Academic training must relate to and complement a grantee’s academic program
objectives. Employment in a permanent position is not considered academic training.

Grantees may participate in part-time academic training (i.e., no more than 20 hours per week) while taking
classes or full-time academic training (typically 40 hours per week) during the summer break or upon
completion of their academic program. You must apply for academic training even if the position does not
offer pay. Unpaid “volunteer” positions are considered equally to be training and must qualify under
academic training regulations.

Prior approval is required before starting any academic training opportunity. Authorization for academic
training is not guaranteed under any circumstances and is contingent upon approval from the U.S.
Department of State, your binational Fulbright commission (if applicable), and Amideast. The U.S.
Department of State reserves the right to deny any requests that involve politicization of scholarly inquiry
and/or do not follow the primary program objectives.

About Academic Training

Eligibility

While you are a Fulbright grantee, you may not accept employment or work of any kind without prior
authorization from the U.S. Department of State, your binational Fulbright commission (if applicable), and
Amideast. If authorization is granted, your maintenance allowance, as specified in your Terms of
Appointment, may be reduced.

Academic training authorization will not be granted automatically. Grantees must apply for authorization
and have their request reviewed, and then approved or denied. Starting training without proper
authorization is a serious violation of immigration regulations and Fulbright Program policies that may lead
to adverse consequences.

Grantees may be eligible for two types of academic training:

• Training during their academic program, referred to as “pre-completion academic training.”
• Training after academic program completion, referred to as “post-degree academic training” (PDAT).

The maximum length of participation in academic training is up to 18 months for most fields. For certain
STEM fields and until December 2024, the maximum length of participation may be up to 36 months.
However, the cumulative academic training eligibility during and after completion of your academic
program may not exceed the length of your academic or research program itself. For example, grantees
completing a 10-month program are only eligible for up to 10 months of academic training during and after
completion of their academic program (combined) regardless of the maximum eligibility noted above.

Academic training eligibility and training length may vary depending on your individual nomination
country’s policies. Check with your Amideast program team for eligibility and other requirements for your
nomination country.
Conditions

To participate in academic training, the following conditions must be met:

• You must be primarily in the United States to study rather than engage in academic training.
• Your proposed academic training must be directly related to your major field of study at the
university listed on your Form DS-2019.
• You must be in good academic standing with the university.
• You must receive written approval in advance from Amideast for the duration and type of academic
training.
• Your proposed academic training must be a fully (i.e., 100%) in-person opportunity.
• You must remain in status according to J-1 visa regulations throughout the duration of the
academic training.
• You must maintain health insurance coverage for any J-2 dependents throughout the academic
training.

The purpose of the Fulbright Program is to enable graduate students, young professionals, and artists from
abroad to study and conduct research in the United States. As such, fully remote or telework positions are
not eligible for academic training. Partially remote or hybrid positions may be reviewed on an exceptional
basis and are less likely to be authorized than 100% in-person positions. If you are interested in an academic
training opportunity that is not fully in-person, contact your Amideast program team prior to applying for
the opportunity. No request, even for exceptional circumstances, will be considered if the position is less
than 60% in-person (if less than 75% in-person for Egyptian grantees).

The Fulbright Program does not provide any funding for relocating to another city to participate in an
academic training opportunity. Additional expenses related to an academic training opportunity are your
responsibility.

Pre-Completion Academic Training

For training during your academic program, referred to as “pre-completion academic training,” the
following provisions will apply:
• Any period of part-time academic training counts the same as full-time academic training against
your maximum length of training eligibility.
• You may not participate in training during your academic program if participation in it will delay or
otherwise impact the completion of your academic program.
• Your authorization will be rescinded if your academic performance declines at any point during your
training.

Post-Degree Academic Training

For training after you complete your academic program, referred to as “post-degree academic training”
(PDAT), the following provisions will apply:
• Your PDAT request must be approved and authorized before the completion of your academic
program.
• You will not receive financial support from the U.S. Department of State, your binational Fulbright
commission (if applicable), or Amideast during your PDAT.
o You must receive some form of payment (e.g., a salary or stipend) for PDAT, or, you must
demonstrate proof of financial support equal to or more than the Fulbright monthly
maintenance rate (after taxes) of the city where the training will occur.
o Additional expenses related to an academic training opportunity are your responsibility.
 • Your PDAT period must begin within 30 days of academic program completion (i.e., the program
end date listed on your Form DS-2019).
o The time between the end of the academic program and the beginning of your PDAT will
count toward your maximum academic training eligibility.
• You will retain your immigration status and will receive an updated Form DS-2019 from Amideast
that includes the training site of activity and approved dates.
• Your ASPE health benefits coverage will continue.
• If you are eligible to receive return travel benefits, as specified in your Terms of Appointment, these
will be provided upon completion of your PDAT.

Applying for Academic Training

If you would like to apply for academic training, please keep in mind the following deadlines:
• For pre-completion academic training, your request must be submitted to Amideast at least six
weeks before your proposed training start date.
• For PDAT, your request must be submitted to Amideast at least six weeks before your academic
program completion.
o All PDAT requests must be approved prior to your program end date listed on your Form
DS-2019.

To apply for academic training, you must submit the following documents via your ASAP account for your
Amideast program team to review:

1. An offer letter from your prospective employer which includes:

o Your position title.
o A description of your duties.
o The start and end date of the training.
o The physical location of the training.
o The number of hours you will be expected to work each week.
o The name, contact information, and address of your supervisor.
o Compensation rate (hourly, monthly, or annual rate).
o Indication that this is an offer is for temporary academic training rather than offering
permanent employment.
o Confirmation that this is a fully (i.e., 100%) in-person training opportunity.
 If the training will not be fully in-person, the prospective employer must provide an
explanation for why the training will be hybrid and include a thorough supervision
plan.

2. Academic Training Authorization Request form (starting on page 5 of this document) completed
by you, your supervisor, and your academic advisor.

3. A letter of request from you requesting academic training. Your letter should indicate your reasons
for pursuing academic training, particularly how the training relates to and will complement your
academic program, how it will teach you related new and practical skills, and how it will support
your work in your home country upon completion of the Fulbright Program.

Once your request is received, Amideast will review your request and reach out with any initial questions.
From there, your request will be submitted to the U.S. Department of State and your binational Fulbright
commission (if applicable) for their review. It may take several weeks to receive a decision.
If you are authorized for academic training, your Amideast program team will issue written authorization,
update your SEVIS record, and issue you an updated Form DS-2019.

If you choose to end your academic training early, or if circumstances require you to end your training
before the approved end date, you must immediately inform your Amideast program team so that your
SEVIS record is updated accordingly.

Additional Information

Social Security Number: To put you on the payroll, your employer will need your Social Security Number
(SSN). Your Social Security card may already be stamped “Not Valid for Employment.” This stamp does not
mean you are ineligible for work; it simply means that no funds will go into a Social Security account
represented by that number.

Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification): When you begin your academic training, you and your
employer will complete a Form I-9 which requires you to document your identity and work authorization.
Of the various items acceptable as proper documentation, you may find that the most efficient
combination is your passport, a copy of your I-94 electronic record, your Form DS-2019, and your written
academic training authorization from Amideast. Your employer keeps the Form I-9 and makes copies of the
documents that you submit and return the originals to you. The Form I-9 must be updated any time you
receive a renewal of your academic training authorization.

Social Security and Medicare Taxes: In general, as a Fulbright grantee you may be exempt from Social
Security and Medicare taxes for your first five years in the United States, provided you continue to declare
non-resident status for tax purposes and the employment is permissible under your nonimmigrant status
and approved by Amideast.

Federal, State and Local Taxes: Unless you qualify under a tax treaty between the United States and your
home country’s government, your earnings as a Fulbright grantee will be subject to applicable federal,
state, and local taxes. Employers are required by law to withhold these taxes from your paychecks. Each
year by April 15th, you must file an income tax return covering the prior calendar year to determine whether
you owe more taxes or whether you can expect a tax refund. If your employer is supposed to withhold taxes
from your paycheck but does not, you will have a larger tax liability when you file your taxes.
Part One
To be completed by the Fulbright grantee along with the supervisor.

Grantee Information

________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
Name Home Country

________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
University Degree and Field

Position Information

________________________________________________
Employer Name

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Employer Address (Provide the physical address where the training will take place.)

________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
Supervisor Name Position Title

________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
Supervisor Email Hours (per week)

________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
Supervisor Phone Pay Rate

________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
Start Date (MM/DD/YYYY) End Date (MM/DD/YYYY)

Describe the goals and objectives of this training, including a description of the position duties.
Is this position 100% in-person at the employer address noted above?

Yes No

If no, please provide more details including the anticipated percentage of in-person versus remote work.
Fully remote or telework positions are not eligible for academic training. Partially remote or hybrid positions
may be reviewed on an exceptional basis and are less likely to be authorized than 100% in-person positions.
No position that is less than 60% in-person (less than 75% in-person for Egyptian grantees) will be reviewed
under any circumstance.

Grantee Certification

By signing this form, I confirm that the information I have provided is true, accurate, and complete.

________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
Grantee Signature Date (MM/DD/YYYY)

Supervisor Certification

As the grantee’s supervisor, I confirm that the position information provided is true, accurate, and complete.

________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
Supervisor Signature Date (MM/DD/YYYY)
Part Two
To be completed by the academic advisor.

How does this training relate to the grantee’s field of study?

Is this training a required component of the grantee’s academic program?

Will this training delay or otherwise impact the completion of the grantee’s academic program?

Yes No

If yes, please provide more details and an explanation of why it will impact program completion.

Academic Advisor Certification

As the grantee’s academic advisor, I approve of the amount of time requested as necessary to complete the
goals and objectives of this training. I recommend that the U.S. Department of State authorize this request.

________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
Academic Advisor Name Academic Advisor Title

________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
Signature Academic Advisor Email

________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
Date (MM/DD/YYYY) Academic Advisor Phone