Call for Applications: IATEFL Scholarship for English Language Teachers

Deadline: 15-Dec-2026

The British Council is inviting applications from English language teachers and educational professionals in the Western Balkans for a partial scholarship to attend the 60th IATEFL International Conference and Exhibition in Birmingham, UK. The scholarship supports professional development by providing access to international teaching practices, knowledge exchange, and networking opportunities. The IATEFL 2027 International Conference will take place in Birmingham, United Kingdom, from 6 to 9 April 2027.

About the IATEFL 2027 Scholarship

The IATEFL Scholarship is designed to support English language teachers and education professionals from the Western Balkans in participating in one of the leading international events for English language educators. By enabling professionals from the region to attend the conference, the scholarship aims to: - Support continuing professional development. - Promote knowledge exchange among educators. - Provide exposure to international best practices. - Strengthen professional networks. - Encourage teachers to bring new ideas and approaches back to their local education communities.

About the IATEFL 2027 Conference

The 60th IATEFL International Conference and Exhibition will be held in Birmingham, UK, from 6–9 April 2027. The conference provides an opportunity for English language educators and other education professionals to learn from international experts, exchange experiences, explore new teaching approaches, and develop professional connections. Scholarship recipients will be able to participate in this international professional learning environment and build connections with educators from different countries. What Does the Scholarship Cover? The British Council’s partial scholarship covers several major costs associated with attending IATEFL 2027.

The scholarship provides:

- IATEFL 2027 conference attendance fee - Round-trip airfare to and from the UK - UK visa application costs - Associated visa administration fees These forms of support are intended to reduce the main financial barriers to international conference participation. What Costs Are Not Covered? The scholarship is partial, meaning recipients are responsible for expenses not specifically covered by the award.

Recipients must arrange and pay for:

- Accommodation in Birmingham. - Local transportation. - Meals. - Other personal expenses. Applicants should therefore consider these additional costs when deciding whether they can participate in the conference. Who Can Apply? The scholarship is open to English language teachers, other subject teachers, and educational professionals from selected Western Balkan countries. Eligible applicants must be from one of the following countries: Applicants should also demonstrate a commitment to their professional development and show how participation in IATEFL 2027 could benefit their work. Applicant Requirements

Eligible applicants should demonstrate:

- Experience as an English language teacher, subject teacher, or educational professional. - A commitment to professional learning and development. - Interest in international knowledge exchange. - The ability to apply knowledge gained from the conference in their local context. - A clear connection between conference participation and their professional activities. Applying Knowledge in the Local Context An important aspect of the scholarship is the applicant’s ability to use and share knowledge gained through participation in the conference. Applicants should be able to demonstrate how exposure to new teaching practices, ideas, resources, and international perspectives could be applied in their own educational environment. This may include sharing knowledge with colleagues, adapting teaching approaches, introducing new classroom practices, or contributing to professional development within their local community. Why This Scholarship Matters International professional development opportunities can help teachers gain exposure to new approaches, research, resources, and perspectives in language education. For educators in the Western Balkans, the IATEFL scholarship provides an opportunity to participate in a major international conference while reducing key costs such as conference registration, international airfare, and visa expenses. The program can also strengthen connections between educators in the region and the wider international English language teaching community. Key Benefits for Selected Applicants Selected scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to: - Attend the 60th IATEFL International Conference and Exhibition. - Learn about international approaches to English language education. - Exchange knowledge with educators from different countries. - Develop professional networks. - Gain exposure to international best practices. - Strengthen their professional development. - Bring new knowledge and approaches back to their local context. Frequently Asked Questions Who can apply for the IATEFL 2027 Scholarship? English language teachers, other subject teachers, and educational professionals from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia can apply, provided they meet the scholarship requirements. Where will the IATEFL 2027 Conference take place? The conference will take place in Birmingham, United Kingdom. When will the conference be held? The 60th IATEFL International Conference and Exhibition will take place from 6 to 9 April 2027. What expenses does the scholarship cover? The partial scholarship covers the IATEFL 2027 conference attendance fee, round-trip airfare to and from the UK, UK visa application costs, and associated administration fees. Does the scholarship cover accommodation? No. Scholarship recipients are responsible for their accommodation costs. Are meals and local transport covered? No. Recipients must cover their own meals, local transportation, and other personal expenses. Which countries are eligible? Applica