Fulbright Schuman Program
Stored: Fulbright Schuman Program
| Type | Program |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Organization | Partnership |
| Top Organization | Department of State |
| Creation Legislation | Fulbright Act of 1946 |
| Website | Website |
| Purpose | Fulbright Schuman Program funds U.S.-EU study and research on relations and policy, fostering transatlantic understanding via educational exchange. |
| Program Start | 1991 |
| Initial Funding | Congressional appropriations and European Commission contributions |
| Duration | Ongoing |
| Historic | No |
Fulbright Schuman Program (FSP) is a unique transatlantic initiative jointly sponsored by the Department of State and the European Commission, funding graduate and postgraduate study, research, and lecture proposals for American and EU citizens focusing on U.S.-EU relations, EU policy, or EU institutions. Administered by the Fulbright Commission in Brussels, it awards approximately 10-15 grants annually, supporting projects that span 3 to 9 months and often involve multiple EU member states, fostering comparative research and dialogue on issues of common importance.[1]
Goals
- Enhance mutual understanding between the United States and the European Union through academic and professional exchange.[2]
- Support research and teaching on U.S.-EU relations, EU affairs, or EU institutions, encouraging projects with relevance to at least two EU member states.
- Foster transatlantic collaboration by integrating grantees into a network of Fulbright alumni and events like the annual EU-NATO Seminar.
Organization
The Fulbright Schuman Program is a partnership between the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs within the Department of State and the Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture of the European Commission, with administration handled by the Commission for Educational Exchange between the United States, Belgium, and Luxembourg.[3] Funding is jointly provided by Congressional appropriations and European Commission contributions, supplemented by host institutions and partner governments. The program operates through a global application platform managed by the Institute of International Education (IIE) for U.S. applicants and the Fulbright Commission in Brussels for EU applicants, with oversight ensuring a focus on transatlantic priorities.
The leader of the program at the Department of State level is the Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, currently Lee Satterfield (as of February 2025), while the Fulbright Commission in Brussels provides operational leadership.
Partners
- Department of State
- European Commission
- Commission for Educational Exchange between the United States, Belgium, and Luxembourg
History
The Fulbright Schuman Program traces its origins to 1990, when discussions between the U.S. and the European Communities led to a pilot exchange program, formalized in the 1991-1992 academic year under the Fulbright Act of 1946.[4] Initiated to deepen understanding of U.S.-EU relations post-Cold War, it was solidified by the 1995 Agreement Between the European Community and the United States, with renewals in 2000 and 2006 reinforcing its mission. It evolved from a small pilot with $130,000 funding four grantees to a robust program supporting broader transatlantic research. As of 2025, it continues to adapt, including specialized awards like the Fulbright-NATO Security Studies Award.
Funding
Initial funding in 1991 combined Congressional appropriations with European Commission contributions, starting with $130,000 for four grantees.[5] Funding began in 1991 and remains ongoing, with the broader Fulbright Program receiving around $266 million in FY 2023, a portion of which supports Schuman grants (exact allocation varies). Additional support comes from host institutions and partner governments, with monthly stipends ranging from €2,000 for students to €3,000 for scholars, plus travel allowances. There is no funding end date, with resources renewed annually.
Implementation
The program operates on an annual cycle, with U.S. applications submitted via IIE (students) or CIES (scholars) by October or September, respectively, and EU applications due by December 1 through the Fulbright Commission in Brussels.[6] Grants range from 3 to 9 months, with candidates arranging affiliations at accredited institutions in the U.S. or EU, often spanning multiple countries. Selection emphasizes projects with transatlantic relevance, with no fixed end date as it renews yearly.
Related
External links
- https://www.fulbrightschuman.eu/
- https://eca.state.gov/fulbright - Department of State Fulbright overview
- https://fulbrightscholars.org/ - Fulbright Scholar Program details
- wikipedia:Fulbright Program
Social media
- ↑ Fulbright Schuman Program, "Program History," https://www.fulbrightschuman.eu/program-history/, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ Fulbright Schuman Program, "About," https://www.fulbrightschuman.eu/, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ Fulbright Schuman Program, "Grants for American Citizens," https://www.fulbrightschuman.eu/grants-for-american-citizens/, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ Fulbright Schuman Program, "Program History," https://www.fulbrightschuman.eu/program-history/, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ Fulbright Schuman Program, "Program History," https://www.fulbrightschuman.eu/program-history/, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ Fulbright Schuman Program, "Grants for European Citizens," https://www.fulbrightschuman.eu/grants-for-eu-citizens/, accessed February 19, 2025.