|
|
Franco-American Fulbright Commission
Stored: Franco-American Fulbright Commission
| Type | Program |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Organization | Partnership |
| Top Organization | Department of State |
| Creation Legislation | Fulbright-Hays Act of 1961 |
| Website | Website |
| Purpose | Franco-American Fulbright Commission funds U.S.-France exchanges, aiding students and scholars to boost understanding and collaboration. |
| Program Start | 1948 |
| Initial Funding | Congressional appropriations and French government contributions |
| Duration | Ongoing |
| Historic | No |
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.[1]
Goals
- Foster mutual understanding and empathy between the U.S. and France via educational exchange.[2]
- Support academic and professional excellence, targeting diverse candidates for over 70 annual grants.
- Promote diversity and inclusion in Franco-American collaboration, emphasizing equity in access.
Organization
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.[3] 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 leader at the Department of State level is the Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, currently Lee Satterfield (as of February 19, 2025), with operational direction from the FAC’s Executive Director.
Partners
History
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.[4] 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.
Funding
Initial funding in 1948 combined U.S. Congressional appropriations with French government contributions, though exact figures are not detailed historically.[5] 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.
Implementation
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.[6] 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.
Related
External links
- https://www.fulbright-france.org/
- https://eca.state.gov/fulbright - Department of State Fulbright overview
- https://educationusa.state.gov/ - EducationUSA program
- wikipedia:Franco-American Fulbright Commission
Social media
References
- ↑ "About the Franco-American Fulbright Commission," Fulbright France, https://www.fulbright-france.org/en/presentation-franco-american-commission, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ "Mission and Values," Fulbright France, https://www.fulbright-france.org/en/presentation-franco-american-commission, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ "Governance of the Commission," Fulbright France, https://www.fulbright-france.org/en/board-directors-commission, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ "Franco-American Fulbright Commission," Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco-American_Fulbright_Commission, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ "Fulbright Program History," Fulbright France, https://www.fulbright-france.org/en/presentation-franco-american-commission, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ "Fulbright Grants," Fulbright France, https://www.fulbright-france.org/en/fulbright-and-partner-scholarships, accessed February 19, 2025.