Fulbright Scholar Program

The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government's flagship program for international educational exchange. It was proposed to the U.S. Congress in 1945 by then freshman Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas. In the aftermath of World War II, Senator Fulbright viewed the proposed program as a much-needed vehicle for promoting "mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries of the world." His vision was approved by Congress and the program signed into law by President Truman in 1946.

The program is designed to "increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries." The Fulbright Program has given approximately 360,000 students, scholars, teachers, artists, and scientists the opportunity to study, teach, and conduct research; exchange ideas; and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns.

Opportunities for U.S. Scholars

Core Fulbright Scholar Program

The Core Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program offers nearly 800 teaching, research, or combination teaching/research awards in more than 125 countries. Opportunities are available for college and university faculty and administrators as well as for professionals, artists, journalists, scientists, lawyers, independent scholars, and many others. Grant lengths vary in duration: Applicants can propose projects for a period of two to 12 months, as specified in the award description.

Fulbright Public Policy Fellowship

The Fulbright Public Policy Fellowship provides opportunities for U.S. early and mid-career professionals and practitioners to serve in professional placements in a foreign government ministry or institution in partner governments around the world. Fulbright Public Policy Fellows build mutual understanding and contribute to strengthening the public sector while cultivating public policy experience in their desired area of expertise. The Fulbright Public Policy Fellowship also includes an independent research component that focuses on an issue that is beneficial for the host ministry and the Fellow.

Fulbright International Education Administrators Seminars

Fulbright International Education Administrators Seminars are open to experienced international education administrators and other senior administrators responsible for enhancing the international dimensions of their institutions. These two-week seminars engage U.S. administrators with overseas peers in a comparative study of the society, culture, and higher education systems of France, Germany, India, Taiwan, Russia, Japan, or South Korea.

Fulbright Specialist Program

The Fulbright Specialist Program promotes linkages between U.S. scholars and professionals and their counterparts at host institutions overseas. The program awards grants for short-term (two to six weeks) collaborative projects in more than 140 countries and 24 academic disciplines. Shorter grant lengths give Fulbright Specialists greater flexibility to pursue projects that work best with their current academic or professional commitments.