The U.S. Embassy in Madagascar and the Comoros is seeking applicants for the 2026 Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSIs) for Secondary Educators program, scheduled to take place during summer 2026. The application deadline is Friday, January 9, 2026, with submissions required by email.
The SUSIs are intensive post-graduate level academic programs designed to give foreign secondary school educators and administrators a deeper understanding of American society, culture, values, and institutions. According to the Embassy, “the program goal is to strengthen curricula and to enhance the quality of teaching about the United States in secondary schools and other academic institutions abroad.”
The five-week program will be held at various academic institutions across the United States. It features content aligned with America250 themes promoting American excellence and innovation. Each Institute includes a one-week integrated academic field experience in addition to classroom activities.
Three multinational groups—each consisting of 20 experienced secondary school educators—will participate in this initiative. The groups include teachers as well as administrators such as teacher trainers, curriculum developers, textbook writers, and Ministry of Education officials. Two Institutes are intended for teachers; a third targets experienced administrators.
Participants will focus on developing high school-level curricula about the United States through lectures, panels, seminar discussions, readings on key historical documents like the Gettysburg Address and American Constitution, workshops, site visits to historical landmarks, meetings with practitioners in relevant fields, and cultural activities.
“This program will not focus on pedagogy,” states the Embassy announcement. “Applicants who expect to learn how to teach English as a foreign language or how to incorporate teaching methodologies into their classrooms will not be prioritized for selection.”
The University of Montana will oversee three Institutes: two for teachers (one administered by UM itself), while an additional Institute for teachers will be hosted by The Institute for Training and Development in Amherst, Massachusetts. California State University Chico will conduct the administrator-focused Institute.
All participants must commit fully to attending all lectures and organized activities; personal pursuits unrelated to the program are discouraged due to its intensive nature. If health or travel restrictions require it, organizers may shift SUSI programming online with similar participation requirements.
Eligibility criteria emphasize mid-career educators between ages 30-50 who have demonstrated interest in enhancing U.S.-focused educational materials or courses but have limited prior experience in the United States. Fluency in English is required due to rigorous academic expectations.
U.S citizens or permanent residents are not eligible for this opportunity; nor are relatives of U.S Embassy or Fulbright commission employees.
Further information about SUSI can be found at http://exchanges.state.gov/susi.