The Fulbright Program, the U.S. Government s flagship exchange activity, was proposed to the U.S. Congress in 1945 by then-freshman Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas. Senator Fulbright viewed the proposed program as a much-needed vehicle for mutual understanding that would provide the opportunity for future leaders to observe and better comprehend the institutions, cultures, and societies of other countries and peoples. The Fulbright legislation was approved by Congress and signed into law by President Truman in 1946. The program has made a significant impact on the internationalization of academe as well as helped establish permanent links for the exchange of ideas and resolution of problems for the general betterment of people worldwide. Each year the Fulbright Program enables Americans to study or conduct research in over 100 nations.
Most grantees plan their own programs.
Projects may include university coursework, independent library or field research, classes in a music conservatory or art school, special projects in the social or life sciences, or a combination. Recent projects have involved cancer research in the U.K., free market development in Mauritius, women's rights in Chile and contemporary artistic expression in India. Along with opportunities for intellectual, professional, and artistic growth, the Fulbright Program offers invaluable opportunities to meet and work with people of the host country, sharing daily life as well as professional and creative insights. The best way to appreciate others' viewpoints, their beliefs, the way they think, and the way they do things, is to interact with them directly on an individual basis work with them, live with them, teach with them, learn with them, and learn from them. The next competition for Fulbright and related grants for graduate study or research abroad in academic fields and for professional training in the creative and performing arts will open on May 1, 2001.