Franco-American Fulbright Commission: Difference between revisions

{{Program

|ProgramName=Franco-American Fulbright Commission

'''Franco-American Fulbright Commission''' (FAC) is a binational initiative under the Department of State that facilitates educational and cultural exchanges between the United States and France, promoting leadership, learning, and empathy through grants for study, research, and teaching, alongside operating the EducationUSA advising center for French students seeking U.S. education. Established in 1948, it has supported over 22,000 grantees from both nations across diverse fields, funded jointly by the U.S. Department of State and French ministries, with notable impact through programs like Fulbright student and scholar awards, managing a $2.07 million budget in FY 2023 for its core activities.<ref>"About the Franco-American Fulbright Commission," Fulbright France, https://www.fulbright-france.org/en/presentation-franco-american-commission, accessed February 19, 2025.</ref>

{{Official URL (simple)|url=https://www.fulbright-france.org/}}

* Foster mutual understanding and empathy between the U.S. and France via educational exchange.<ref>"Mission and Values," Fulbright France, https://www.fulbright-france.org/en/presentation-franco-american-commission, accessed February 19, 2025.</ref>

The Franco-American Fulbright Commission was a partnership between the U.S. Department of State and the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, with additional funding from the French Ministry for Higher Education and Research, administered by a binational board under the honorary presidency of the U.S. Ambassador to France and the French Foreign Minister.<ref>"Governance of the Commission," Fulbright France, https://www.fulbright-france.org/en/board-directors-commission, accessed February 19, 2025.</ref> Funding includes U.S. Congressional appropriations (e.g., $2.07 million in FY 2023) and French contributions, managed through a small Paris-based staff and partnerships with universities and private entities. It oversees Fulbright grants and EducationUSA services, aligning with U.S. public diplomacy goals.

The Franco-American Fulbright Commission was founded on October 22, 1948, through a protocol agreement following the [[Fulbright Act of 1946]], with its framework solidified by the [[Fulbright-Hays Act of 1961]] and a 1965 Franco-American Treaty, spurred by Senator J. William Fulbright’s vision for post-WWII peace through education.<ref>"Franco-American Fulbright Commission," Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco-American_Fulbright_Commission, accessed February 19, 2025.</ref> It began with modest exchanges, growing to administer over 22,000 grants by 2025, with key expansions like the 2023 podcast series for its 75th anniversary and a focus on diversity since the 2010s. As of 2025, it continues to evolve, supporting multidisciplinary projects and cultural diplomacy.

Initial funding in 1948 combined U.S. Congressional appropriations with French government contributions, though exact figures are not detailed historically.<ref>"Fulbright Program History," Fulbright France, https://www.fulbright-france.org/en/presentation-franco-american-commission, accessed February 19, 2025.</ref> Funding began in 1948 and remains ongoing, with FY 2023 allocating $2.07 million from the Department of State for student and scholar programs, supplemented by French ministerial budgets and private donors. There’s no funding end date, with annual renewals and additional grants (e.g., $20,000 in 2023 for anniversary podcasts) sustaining operations.

The program operates through annual grant cycles, selecting around 70 U.S. and French grantees via competitive applications managed by the FAC staff and binational board, with deadlines typically in fall and winter.<ref>"Fulbright Grants," Fulbright France, https://www.fulbright-france.org/en/fulbright-and-partner-scholarships, accessed February 19, 2025.</ref> It supports study, research, and teaching via programs like Fulbright Student and FLTA, with EducationUSA advising offered concurrently, all ongoing with no fixed end date, adapting to current global challenges.