U.S. Scholar Program
Stored: U.S. 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 | Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program funds U.S. faculty and pros to teach and research abroad, boosting global understanding and academic ties. |
| Program Start | 1946 |
| Initial Funding | Congressional appropriations supplemented by surplus war property sales |
| Duration | Ongoing |
| Historic | No |
Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program (FUSP) is a cornerstone of the Department of State’s Fulbright initiative, offering U.S. faculty, administrators, and professionals grants to lecture, conduct research, or pursue a combination of both in over 130 countries worldwide. Annually awarding approximately 800 grants, it facilitates scholarly exchange across diverse disciplines, enabling participants to share expertise, build international networks, and contribute to mutual understanding between the U.S. and other nations.[1]
Goals
- Strengthen international academic collaboration by supporting U.S. scholars in teaching and research abroad.[2]
- Promote mutual understanding between the U.S. and other nations through scholarly exchange and cultural immersion.
- Enhance participants’ professional development and global perspective, with no specific numerical targets but a focus on impactful contributions.
Organization
The Fulbright U.S. 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’s Council for International Exchange of Scholars (IIE/CIES).[3] Funding comes primarily from Congressional appropriations, with additional support from partner governments, host institutions, and private donors. The program operates through bilateral agreements with participating countries, with IIE/CIES managing applications, peer reviews, and placements based on host country needs and scholar expertise.
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).
History
The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program was established in 1946 under the Fulbright Act of 1946, signed by President Harry S. Truman, to promote educational exchange using proceeds from surplus World War II property sales.[4] Proposed by Senator J. William Fulbright to prevent future conflicts through mutual understanding, it began with early exchanges in 1947 and grew to include a wide range of academic disciplines and award types (e.g., Distinguished Scholar, Postdoctoral). Over time, it adapted to global academic needs, maintaining relevance through initiatives like the Fulbright Specialist Program. As of 2025, it continues to expand its global footprint.
Funding
Initial funding in 1946 relied on Congressional appropriations and surplus war property sales, though specific amounts are not precisely documented.[5] Funding began in 1946 and remains ongoing, with the broader Fulbright Program receiving around $266 million in FY 2023, a significant portion of which supports the U.S. Scholar Program (estimated at $80-100 million annually). Partner governments and host institutions provide additional in-kind support (e.g., housing, stipends). There is no funding end date, with appropriations renewed annually.
Implementation
The program operates on an annual application cycle, with scholars applying through IIE/CIES between February and September for awards starting the following academic year.[6] Awards range from two months to a full year, with scholars selected via a peer review process assessing academic merit and project feasibility. Placement aligns with host country priorities, with no fixed program end date as it renews annually.
Related
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program
- Fulbright U.S. Student Program
- Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program
External links
https://fulbrightscholars.org/
- https://eca.state.gov/fulbright - Department of State Fulbright overview
- https://www.iie.org/programs/fulbright-us-scholar-program - IIE administration details
- [wikipedia:Fulbright Program]
Social media
References
- ↑ U.S. Department of State, "Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program," https://eca.state.gov/fulbright/fulbright-programs/program-summaries/us-scholar-program, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ U.S. Department of State, "Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program," https://eca.state.gov/fulbright/fulbright-programs/program-summaries/us-scholar-program, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ Institute of International Education, "Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program," https://fulbrightscholars.org/about, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ U.S. Department of State, "Fulbright Program History," https://eca.state.gov/fulbright/about-fulbright/history, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ U.S. Department of State, "Fulbright Program Funding," https://eca.state.gov/fulbright/about-fulbright/funding-and-administration, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ Institute of International Education, "Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Application," https://fulbrightscholars.org/application, accessed February 19, 2025.