Overseas Faculty Development Seminars (OFDS) are short-term academic programs conducted abroad in partnership with a CAORC member center that combine site-based learning, expert-led discussions, and direct engagement with local institutions and communities. Designed to deepen subject-matter knowledge and global perspective, the seminars provide participants with firsthand exposure to regional dynamics, historical context, and contemporary issues. Through lectures, field visits, and collaborative exchange, participants gain insights and materials that can be integrated into their teaching, research, and professional practice.

The Council of American Overseas Research Centers and its member centers offer a range of Overseas Faculty Development Seminars designed to serve different audiences and institutional needs while maintaining a consistent academic framework. These include fully funded seminars for U.S. college and university faculty and administrators, customized seminars for partner cohorts, open enrollment programs for broader participation, and the Faculty Leadership for International Training and Exchange (FLITE) program. Together, these offerings expand access to the network of American Overseas Research Centers and to international, place-based learning, while ensuring that each seminar remains focused, relevant, and aligned with participant goals.