Fulbright

Fulbright refers to the Fulbright Program, an international educational exchange program established in 1946 by U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright. Funded by the U.S. government, it aims to increase mutual understanding between the United States and other countries through opportunities for study, teaching, research, and professional collaboration.

The program emerged from postwar efforts to promote peace and global cooperation and is administered in partnership with various governments, universities, and organizations abroad. In the United States, it is overseen by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs within the U.S. Department of State, with country-specific commissions and partners abroad coordinating placements and funding.

Fulbright supports multiple tracks for individuals at different career stages, including the Fulbright Foreign Student Program for non-U.S. citizens to study in the United States, the Fulbright U.S. Student Program for U.S. citizens to study or conduct research abroad, and the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program for U.S. faculty and professionals to teach or conduct research internationally. Additional initiatives include the Fulbright Specialist and Distinguished Chair programs, among other country-specific offerings. Programs typically involve extended periods of study, teaching, or research and emphasize cross-cultural exchange and collaboration.

Selection is competitive and based on merit, leadership potential, and the applicant’s plan for fostering mutual understanding. The Fulbright network spans numerous countries and disciplines, and its alumni have contributed to academia, government, and the arts. The program is widely regarded as a prestigious platform for international education and diplomacy.