Dear professor, dear Fulbright/scholarship advisor,

I am happy to let you know that we are currently preparing for the next application period of the US Teaching Assistantship (USTA) Program managed by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF), administered by Fulbright Austria in the upcoming program year 2024–25 and hope that YOUR students are part of it.

Our online application tool will be officially open from 15 November 2023 to 15 January 2024, but applicants can start their applications now!

US Teaching Assistantship Program by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF), administered by Fulbright Austria

Fulbright Austria administers the US Teaching Assistantship Program on behalf of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF).

Since 1962, the US English Language Teaching Assistantship Program in Austria has provided US college and university graduates with a completed bachelor’s degree (by summer 2024 for program year 2024–25), US citizenship (or dual US/x citizenship), and a required German proficiency level of at least B1/Intermediate Mid by the time of application with valuable opportunities to work as salaried teaching assistants at secondary schools throughout Austria. Roughly 150 US teaching assistants per year not only enhance the instruction of English as native speakers; they are also important resources for first-hand information about the United States and the "American way of life".

The program will start on 1 October 2024 and run through 31 May 2025 (finalists will be notified in spring 2024). The timeline differs from ETA opportunities since this program is separate from the Fulbright grant family – it is an Austrian program managed and financed entirely by the Austrian government, and therefore not a Fulbright program. So even students who might have already applied to a Fulbright program, will be able to submit their USTA application due to the different circumstances if they are interested.

The application tool is open from 15 November 2023 to 15 January 2024 but students can start their application now. You can find in-depth information on the program here and a roadmap to the application here. General information on possible school types is listed here and we can also recommend this page as it provides an overview of the Austrian education system. I’m also happy to help with any questions on schools or placements in general.

Please consider that a teaching assistantship in Austria is not a “traditional” ETA program but a “real-life” job placement at usually one to two (rarely three) Austrian secondary schools for 13 hours per week from October until the end of May. TAs are assigned mentor teachers who guide them and are fully insured and salaried instead of receiving a stipend.

Previous teaching experience is not required but can be beneficial – this includes (but is not limited to) tutoring, summer/language/sports camp counselor duties, YMCA involvement, church group leadership, Boy/Girl Scout leadership roles, previous TA jobs, or any other relevant career opportunities.

The application

Applicants will upload the following documents (in PDF format) to their profile after logging in and entering their information online – information on each item mentioned below can be found on our website in the dedicated section Application sections and materials:

• Curriculum vitae
• (Recent) proof of German proficiency (at least B1/ Intermediate Mid by the time of application), should not be older than two years by the time of application; the applicant’s exact level of proficiency at the time of application must be listed – “at least intermediate-mid” or “exceeds intermediate-mid” etc. do not suffice)
• Proof can either be an official certificate from a language exam provider (Goethe Institut etc.; not older than two years) or a signed letter on official letterhead from your university’s German department.
• Current or final transcript (Screenshots from student accounts do not suffice)
• Personal statement (should not exceed 1,000 words) on why your applicants are interested in this particular teaching opportunity; why in Austria specifically; what their future career goals would be; past experiences at home or abroad, qualifications, and motivations; what role the German language and Austrian culture play for them; why they would like to work at their preferred locations…
• Two letters of recommendation from professors or employers
• Applicants are asked to enter contact information of their recommenders into our system – when they click on “invite”, an automatic email will be triggered. This email will contain a link to a rating chart for you to complete and to upload a letter of recommendation.
• Signed application form (your applicant will be able to download and print this form after having completed all steps, sign it, and upload it as a final step before submitting)
• Optional: Proof of a teaching certificate (CELTA, etc.) if your student already has obtained one. If they are in the process of acquiring a certificate and will have obtained it by summer 2024, they should mention it in their personal statement!

We would ask you to please inform your students about this job opportunity! You can find more information about the USTA Program, including how to apply, on our website. Students are cordially invited to apply online via the USTA application website and to check frequently if any updates are posted.

Please find our new flyer about the 2024–25 USTA Program as attachment, which can be posted or distributed to interested students.

If you or your students have any questions on the program and the online application process, please do not hesitate to contact me (as responsible program officer) by email.

I am also available for individual Zoom sessions requested by interested prospective applicants to answer questions, help with sorting out issues, or concerns if need be.

Thank you for your consideration!