Fulbright scholarships provide grants for students who wish to promote international understanding.
Actor John Lithgow, author Joseph Heller and Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords are all alumni of the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship Program. The Fulbright Program is a merit-based, competitive grant program for international exchange students, teachers and others. Started in 1946 by United States Senator J. William Fulbright, the Fulbright Scholarship has been awarded to thousands worldwide since its inception. The application process begins 15 months before the grant is awarded.
Funding of the Fulbright Program
Most of the funding for the Fulbright Program is made through a yearly appropriation by Congress to the Department of State. Additional funding is received from participating foreign governments. Host institutions, along with foundations and corporations in the U.S. and abroad, provide support for the Fulbright Program.
How the Fulbright Program Works
The Fulbright Program is an international exchange program designed to encourage understanding between residents of the United States and the people of other countries. Recipients are selected for their academic record and leadership potential, and they are awarded grants to study abroad. Over 300,000 Fulbright scholars have participated in the program to teach, conduct research, study and assist in providing solutions to shared concerns. The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the U. S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and priorities for the exchanges are set by the U.S. in conjunction with foreign governments.
Fulbright Scholars
Fulbright scholars are very diverse. They come from big cities and small towns, and they may be recent college graduates or established professionals. They are of varied socioeconomic backgrounds, and they represent diverse religions, ethnicities and races. What makes them candidates for the Fulbright Program is their outstanding academic record, leadership skills, flexibility and interest in pursuing a path that will increase mutual understanding among different countries worldwide.
Fulbright Grants
Approximately 8,000 grants are awarded annually through the Fulbright Program, including 1,600 to students in the U.S. The remaining awards go to foreign students, U.S. scholars and visiting scholars, along with teachers and professionals. Worldwide, there are more than 155 countries that participate in the program. Most of the Fulbright grants are fully funded and provide money for transportation to and from the host country, tuition, and insurance coverage. Orientation and enrichment events are provided free of charge.
Fulbright Program Components
The Fulbright Program offers grants such as the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, which gives fellowships to graduating college seniors to study abroad for a year. Young professionals and artists are also eligible. The International Fulbright Science and Technology Award provides a grant to foreign students studying technology in an American school. The Fulbright-Hays Program awards teachers, doctoral students and organizations grants to support research and training in non-Western foreign languages and area studies. The Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program grants awards to foreign English teachers to enhance their skills and knowledge of American culture.
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