Educator Badge

AFS Global Up Educator

10 Full Scholarships Available for 2026. Earn your AFS Global Competence Certificate (GCC) and elevate your teaching methods for the digital age. Exclusively for Secondary School Teachers. (working with ages 13-18 during the program)

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In 2026, AFS will provide 10 full scholarships for the Global Up Educator program

What are Global Up Programs?

Global Up is a unique virtual program developed by AFS Intercultural Programs to cultivate lifelong global power skills: cross-cultural communication, critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, open-mindedness, and flexibility. Every graduate earns the award-winning AFS Global Competence Certificate (GCC) and a digital Credly badge, credentials already held by over 8,000 individuals across 60+ countries.

The Global Up Educator program connects secondary-level teachers worldwide through an interactive virtual platform with zero travel required. It enhances your own cultural awareness while equipping you with practical tools to foster global competence and inclusivity in your classrooms. Following the success of the 2024 and 2025 cohorts, AFS proudly continued this impactful mission in 2026 by funding 10 full scholarships for exceptional educators in Vietnam.

Applicants to the AFS Scholarships in Vietnam must meet all of the following criteria outlined:

  • Nationality/Citizenship or Country of Legal Residence – Vietnam
  • Language – English (ability to communicate/interact)
  • Interest – Interest in global citizenship education/competencies
  • Diversity – Talented in-service teachers from all backgrounds who reflect the diversity of Vietnam, particularly women, underrepresented populations, and applicants with high financial need, are strongly encouraged to apply!
  • High School Teacher – Teaching at the secondary level (working with students ages 13-18) in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
  • Previous experiences with AFS – Only candidates who have NOT previously obtained the AFS Global Competence Certificate or participated in an AFS Global Up or Global STEM program before can apply for this scholarship.

Impact

40.000+

Global learners

have successfully participated in the Global Competence Certificate program.

125+

Countries

representing the diverse global origins and cultural backgrounds of our learners.

94%

Recommendation rate

of Global Up Educator learners are highly likely to recommend this program to their colleagues or friends.

1.000

Educators trained

empowered through the Global Up Educator program in 2025.

AFS Global Up Educator

AFS Global Up Educator is a 6-week, full-scholarship, virtual exchange program for in-service Educators worldwide (ages 18+) teaching at the secondary level (working with students ages 13-18). This online, interactive certificate program is designed for Educators to build the skills needed to become globally competent leaders and foster global competence in their school communities and beyond.

Participants will examine intercultural issues in education, explore resources for teaching about sustainable development and global citizenship to students, and develop ideas to build bridges in multicultural classroom environments. This program will help you explore key concepts and  principles of Global Citizenship Education and learn to foster 21st century skills with your students.

Global Up Educator will:

  • Examine intercultural issues and the fundamentals of globally competent teaching.
  • Explore teaching resources on sustainability, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and global citizenship education.
  • Reflect on one’s own teaching context and develop new ideas to build bridges in multicultural classrooms.
  • Boost self-awareness and empathy for diverse cultural backgrounds, perceptions, and behaviors.
  • Earn an AFS Global Competence Certificate and digital badge reflecting new credentials.

Hear from the Educators alumni:

Application & Program Dates

  • August 10: Application opens
  • October 09: Application deadline
  • October 12 – 18: scholarship selection (application review/online interviews)
  • October 21: scholarship decisions announced via email
  • November: Vietnam Cohort virtual exchange (exact dates to be informed after the selection)

Who can apply?

The program is available only via scholarship award.

Applications for the Global Up Educator are open to in-service secondary-level educators from Vietnam, who meet the following criteria:

  • Vietnamese citizenship or residence
  • Command in the English Language
  • Ability to participate fully, both online and in a classroom setting, in a program conducted entirely in English
  • Teaching at the high school/secondary level (students age 13-18 years old) in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City

Frequently Asked Questions

No. This is a full scholarship funded by AFS. If selected, you will be able to participate in the entire program completely free of charge.