The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. Government and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. The primary source of funding for the Fulbright Program is an annual appropriation made by the U.S. Congress to the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). Participating governments, host institutions, corporations, and foundations in foreign countries and in the United States also provide direct and indirect support. Recipients of Fulbright grants are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields. The Program operates in over 160 countries worldwide under policy guidelines established by the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board and in cooperation with bi-national Fulbright Commissions and U.S. Embassies abroad.
Of the 325,000+ Fulbright alumni, 86 have received a Pulitzer Prize, 75 have been MacArthur Fellows, 60 have won a Nobel Prize, 37 have served as heads of state or governments, 10 were elected to US Congress, and 1 has served as UN Secretary-General.
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs strives to ensure that the Fulbright Program reflects the diversity of U.S. society and societies abroad. Opportunities are open to people regardless of their race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, geographic location, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
Students
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is the largest U.S. exchange program offering opportunities for students and young professionals to undertake international graduate study, advanced research, university teaching, and primary and secondary school teaching worldwide. The program currently awards approximately 2,000 grants annually in all fields of study and operates in more than 140 countries worldwide.
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program enables graduate students, young professionals, and artists from abroad to study and conduct research in the United States. The Fulbright Foreign Student Program operates in more than 160 countries worldwide. Approximately 4,000 foreign students receive Fulbright scholarships each year.
Scholars
The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program offers 470 teaching, research, or combination teaching/research awards in over 125 countries. Opportunities are available for college and university faculty and administrators as well as for professionals, artists, journalists, scientists, lawyers, independent scholars, and others. In addition to several new program models designed to meet the changing needs of U.S. academics and professionals, Fulbright offers flexible awards including some multi-country opportunities.
The Fulbrighter Experience at UC Santa Cruz
More information coming soon!
Please contact Gabi Schmiegel to make an advising appointment for more details on the application process.