Fulbright grants are made to U.S. citizens and nationals of other countries for a variety of educational activities, primarily university lecturing, advanced research, graduate study and teaching in elementary and secondary schools. Since the program's inception, approximately 294,000 participants, chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential, have been afforded the opportunity to exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared concerns. Currently, the Program operates in approximately 155 countries worldwide.
The primary source of funding for the Fulbright Program is an annual appropriation made by the United States Congress to the Department of State. Participating governments and host institutions in foreign countries and the United States also contribute financially.
Administration of the program is performed by several entities in the US and abroad:
The J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FSB), composed of 12 educational and public leaders appointed by the President of the United States, formulates policy for the administration of the program, establishes criteria for the selection of candidates and approves candidates nominated for awards.
The United States Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs develops policies to assure fulfillment of the purposes of the Program and administers it with the assistance of binational commissions and foundations in 50 countries, United States Embassies in 100 other countries, and a number of cooperating agencies in the United States. The Office of Global Educational Programs is responsible for administering the Fulbright Classroom Teacher Exchange Program.
Binational commissions and foundations manage the program, in consultation with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, participating schools, and organizations in the host country. They also screen, interview and recommend to the FSB qualified candidates for grants. In the United Kingdom, the partner organization is the British Council and in Switzerland, ch Youth Exchange.
The Academy for Educational Development (AED), under a cooperative agreement with the Department of State, administers the Fulbright Classroom Teacher Exchange Program and the Distinguished Fulbright Awards in Teaching.
Other Fulbright Opportunities
There are also Fulbright grant opportunities for students, scholars, and professionals to travel, study, conduct research and work abroad. See fulbright.state.gov more information.
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The Fulbright Program is a program of the United States
Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
© 2009 Academy for Educational Development
