Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program
Stored: Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program
| Type | Program |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Organization | Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs |
| Top Organization | Department of State |
| Creation Legislation | Fulbright Act of 1946 |
| Website | Website |
| Purpose | The Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program provides grants to foreign scholars to conduct post-doctoral research and lecturing at U.S. institutions. It aims to enhance mutual understanding between the U.S. and other nations through academic exchange and collaboration. |
| Program Start | 1947 |
| Initial Funding | Congressional appropriations supplemented by surplus war property sales |
| Duration | Ongoing |
| Historic | No |
Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program (FVSP) is a prestigious Department of State initiative that annually brings approximately 900 scholars from over 100 countries to the United States for post-doctoral research, lecturing, or a combination of both, fostering academic collaboration and cultural exchange across a semester to a full academic year. Administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE) on behalf of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), it includes specialized tracks like the Scholar-in-Residence Program and the Fulbright Arctic Initiative, having supported over 50,000 visiting scholars since 1947, with significant impacts like co-publications and long-term institutional partnerships as of 2025.[1]
Goals
- Enhance mutual understanding between the U.S. and other nations through academic and cultural exchange.[2]
- Advance scholarly research and teaching, targeting 900 annual participants from diverse disciplines.
- Build international academic networks and institutional capacity, fostering long-term collaborations.
Organization
The Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) within the Department of State and administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE), specifically its Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES) division.[3] Funding comes primarily from Congressional appropriations, with additional support from partner governments, U.S. host institutions, and scholars’ home institutions via sabbatical pay, covering stipends, travel, and health benefits. Applications are managed by Fulbright Commissions or U.S. Embassies in participating countries, with IIE facilitating U.S. placements.
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).
History
The Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program began in 1947 under the Fulbright Act of 1946, signed by President Harry S. Truman, using surplus World War II property sales to fund exchanges promoting peace through understanding.[4] It evolved with the Fulbright-Hays Act of 1961, expanding to over 100 countries, introducing initiatives like the Scholar-in-Residence Program in the 1970s and the Arctic Initiative in 2015. By 2025, it has supported over 50,000 scholars, adapting to modern needs with virtual engagement and specialized research tracks.
Funding
Initial funding in 1947 came from Congressional appropriations and surplus war property sales, though specific amounts are not isolated in early records.[5] Funding began in 1947 and continues, with the broader Fulbright Program receiving approximately $266 million in FY 2023, supporting FVSP’s 900 annual grants with stipends ($3,164-$4,805 monthly), travel, and health benefits, augmented by host contributions. There’s no funding end date, with appropriations renewed annually.
Implementation
The program operates through annual application cycles managed by Fulbright Commissions or U.S. Embassies, with scholars applying for 3-12 month grants starting typically in August or January, selected for academic merit and project feasibility.[6] IIE arranges U.S. host affiliations, often at universities, where scholars conduct research or teach, ongoing with no fixed end date, adapting to global academic priorities like sustainability in 2025.
Related
External links
- https://fulbrightscholars.org/
- https://eca.state.gov/fulbright - Department of State Fulbright overview
- https://www.iie.org/programs/fulbright-visiting-scholar-program - IIE administration details
- wikipedia:Fulbright Program
Social media
References
- ↑ U.S. Department of State, "Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program," https://exchanges.state.gov/non-us/program/fulbright-visiting-scholar-program, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ U.S. Department of State, "Fulbright Program Overview," https://eca.state.gov/fulbright/about-fulbright, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ Institute of International Education, "Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program," https://fulbrightscholars.org/non-us-scholars, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ U.S. Department of State, "Fulbright History," https://eca.state.gov/fulbright/about-fulbright/history, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ U.S. Department of State, "Fulbright Funding," https://eca.state.gov/fulbright/about-fulbright/funding-and-administration, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ Institute of International Education, "Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program Application," https://fulbrightscholars.org/non-us-scholars, accessed February 19, 2025.