Fund for Teachers Fellowship

Empowering teachers to design their own learning

Fund for Teachers (FFT) provides grants that allow educators to create personalized professional development experiences—research expeditions, international study programs, artistic residencies, language immersion, or entrepreneurial bootcamps—that directly enhance classroom instruction. Since 2001, FFT has awarded more than $35 million to over 10,000 teachers, supporting travel to more than 150 countries. Unlike traditional PD workshops, FFT empowers teachers to design their own learning agenda, aligning global exploration with local classroom impact.

Educators receive up to $5,000 individually or $10,000 as a team of two or more. Fellows craft a proposal outlining the rationale for their experience, an itinerary, and a plan to translate learning into classroom practice. Grants fund airfare, lodging, program fees, research materials, and other travel-related costs. Upon return, fellows share insights through curriculum units, community presentations, and professional learning communities, multiplying the grant’s impact across districts.

Program snapshot

Eligibility nuances

Applicants must:

• Teach full time in a preK–12 school (public, charter, or independent) with at least 50% classroom instruction.
• Have completed three consecutive years of teaching by summer 2025.
• Return to their classroom in fall 2025 to implement fellowship learning.
• Obtain approval from their principal or head of school.

Substitute teachers, administrators, student teachers, and professors are ineligible. Educators from partner districts (e.g., Houston ISD, New York City) may have additional requirements or earlier intent deadlines. Review the regional guidelines on the FFT website for specifics.

Crafting a compelling proposal

FFT evaluates applications using four criteria: Project Vision, Student Impact, Sustainability, and Budget. To excel in each area:

Project Vision

• Define a clear learning objective grounded in research or instructional frameworks.
• Explain why self-designed PD is necessary—what gap in your practice will the fellowship address?
• Describe the experiences you will pursue (courses, interviews, fieldwork) and how they connect to teaching goals.

Student Impact

• Provide concrete examples of how the fellowship will transform instruction. Outline specific units, performance tasks, or assessments you will create.
• Identify target student populations (grade level, demographics, learning needs) and describe current challenges.
• Include measurable outcomes—improved literacy rates, expanded STEM participation, enhanced cultural competency.

Sustainability

• Explain how you will share learning with colleagues through workshops, PLCs, district PD sessions, or conference presentations.
• Describe partnerships with museums, universities, or community organizations that will support ongoing implementation.
• Discuss how the fellowship will influence long-term curriculum development or school improvement goals.

Budget

• Itemize expenses with realistic cost estimates (airfare, lodging, meals, program fees, ground transportation, materials).
• Demonstrate cost-effectiveness—balance ambitious goals with responsible spending.
• Highlight any additional funding sources (district support, partner contributions) if applicable.

Timeline and preparation checklist

1. September–October 2024 – Attend an FFT information webinar. Brainstorm project ideas aligned with student needs. Research destinations, partner organizations, and potential mentors.
2. November 2024 – Draft your proposal narrative. Reach out to travel providers for quotes. Confirm passport validity and research visa requirements.
3. December 2024 – Secure principal approval, request letters of support, and refine budget spreadsheets. Develop a draft curriculum plan demonstrating post-fellowship implementation.
4. January 9, 2025 – Submit the Intent to Apply form if required in your region.
5. January 30, 2025 – Submit the full application via the online portal, including narratives, budget, and supporting documents.
6. February–March 2025 – Respond to any follow-up questions from reviewers. Prepare for award announcements by finalizing travel logistics.
7. April 2025 – If selected, attend a Fellows Forum webinar covering grant management, expense policies, and storytelling expectations.
8. Summer 2025 – Execute your fellowship. Document experiences through photos, video diaries, field notes, and artifacts.
9. Fall 2025 – Implement new curriculum, host dissemination sessions, and submit required reports.

Narrative writing tips

• Lead with students. Open your essay with a vignette illustrating the challenges your learners face—e.g., English learners lacking culturally relevant literature or rural students needing hands-on science experiences.
• Show research. Reference frameworks (Universal Design for Learning, Project-Based Learning) or studies that support your approach.
• Connect experiences to outcomes. For example, describe how attending a biodiversity institute in Costa Rica will inform a cross-curricular science and Spanish project.
• Demonstrate reflection. Acknowledge current limitations in your practice and how the fellowship will push you professionally.
• Write with passion and clarity. Reviewers respond to authentic voices that convey excitement about teaching and student growth.

Budget construction best practices

• Use a spreadsheet to calculate costs with 5–10% contingency for currency fluctuations.
• Include line items for travel insurance, translation services, or guide fees if relevant.
• Research low-cost lodging (hostels, university housing) and demonstrate cost comparisons.
• Avoid requests for equipment unrelated to the experience; FFT rarely funds hardware unless integral to the learning plan.
• Double-check per diem limits or restrictions outlined in FFT’s budgeting guide.

Maximizing the fellowship experience

• Set learning goals. Draft research questions to guide interviews, museum visits, or workshops. Schedule meetings with local educators or experts.
• Document daily. Keep journals, capture audio reflections, and gather artifacts to use in lesson plans.
• Engage students before departure. Involve them in planning, gather questions for experts, or assign research topics to explore during your travel.
• Share in real time. Use blogs or secure classroom apps to update families and colleagues, building anticipation for post-fellowship learning.

Post-fellowship responsibilities

• Submit expense reports with receipts within 45 days of returning.
• Deliver a detailed fellowship report describing experiences, outcomes, and next steps.
• Implement the curriculum plan and collect data on student impact (assessment scores, student work samples, testimonials).
• Present findings to peers, district leaders, or regional FFT convenings.

Tips from veteran fellows

1. Plan with flexibility. Build buffer days for travel delays or weather disruptions. Have backup sites or contacts.
2. Prioritize partnerships. Collaborate with local guides, NGOs, or universities to gain deeper insights and classroom-ready resources.
3. Use multimedia storytelling. Record videos, podcasts, or photo essays that students can analyze when you return.
4. Align with standards. Map fellowship outcomes to state standards to strengthen administrative support.
5. Think long-term. Outline how the experience will influence instruction over multiple years and for multiple cohorts.
6. Stay connected. Join the FFT online community and alumni events to continue learning and share resources.

Sustaining impact

After the initial implementation, revisit and refine fellowship-inspired units annually. Apply for additional grants (NEA Foundation, National Geographic) to expand projects. Consider publishing articles or presenting at conferences (NCTE, NSTA, ISTE) to amplify your fellowship story. Mentor future FFT applicants by hosting workshops or serving as an application reader.

Final inspiration

Fund for Teachers trusts educators as designers of transformative learning. By aligning your passions with student needs, meticulously planning your experience, and articulating a clear plan for classroom impact, you can secure a fellowship that revitalizes your teaching practice and sparks lifelong curiosity in your students.