Academic Training Guidelines

Completed Academic Training Forms and support documents must be submitted to your IIE Regional Center no later than six weeks prior to program completion.  

Academic training is defined as employment directly related to the major field of study listed on your DS-2019 form. While it is a benefit of J-1 Exchange Visitor status, it is not automatically granted, and must fall within overall and country-specific Fulbright policy. If you have not yet done so you must consult with your IIE Regional Center to determine if you are eligible to participate in such employment prior to submitting the documentation listed below and prior to accepting or beginning such employment.

Required Documents to Apply for Academic Training

IIE cannot consider your Academic Training request without the following completed and signed documentation:

1) Request for Academic Training,

2)  Confirmation of Offer of Academic Training Form to be completed in full by your potential academic training employer,

3)  Request for Academic Training Authorization  Form to be completed in full by your academic advisor,

4) A personal statement, including a description of the proposed academic training program in relation

             to the following:

• Develops skills that prepare you for your home country job market
• Directly relates to your field of study
• Encourages the Fulbright goal of building human networks around the globe by honoring and contributing to your commitment to develop your field of study at home
• In addition, confirm your intention to comply with the two-year home residency requirement upon completion of the academic training program

5)                   A current official transcript

6)                   If you are on leave of absence from employment in your home country, you must submit a letter demonstrating that

             your leave has been extended for the period of extension requested

7)          If you have J-2 dependents with you in the United States, please complete the J-2 Dependent Data Sheet and submit with required financial support documentation.

You should confirm with IIE that there are no other additional country specific requirements that must be submitted.

Academic Training Frequently asked Questions

How much academic training time can I apply for?

Academic training is limited under federal regulations and may not exceed the amount of time spent in academic studies, up to a maximum of 18 months. These regulations require that training commence within 30 days following completion of your approved study program. Fulbright Program policy and circumstances of your individual case may further limit time spent in academic training. For example, overall Fulbright policy limits a grantee's stay to a maximum of three years for a Master's candidate and five years for a Ph.D. candidate, including time spent in academic training. If you have not yet done so, please discuss this with your Regional Center Contact.

Does my academic training time have to be full time?

Academic Training must be full time, which is considered to be at least 35 hours per week. 

Does my academic training have to be paid?

Academic training does not have to be paid, but you will need to submit financial documentation, such as a bank statement, verifying that you have sufficient funding to support yourself.

Can I apply for academic training before I have obtained an employment offer?

Federal Regulations require that you secure an academic training position, present it to your sponsor, and receive approval for such training prior to the end of your approved academic program. To enable IIE and your sponsor to consider approval of your request for academic training, you must submit the required documentation outlined above as soon as possible and no later than four weeks prior to the expiration of your approved academic program. Applications received after that time may not be reviewed.

Can I change my academic training position?

Changes are strongly discouraged and rarely approved.   Any proposed change can be considered on an exceptional basis only, and requests must be submitted at least four weeks prior to the proposed change.