#StandforFulbright: A Smarter, Stronger, and More Prosperous America

On March 12, the Fulbright Association took Capitol Hill by storm for one of our most impactful advocacy events yet: #StandforFulbright Advocacy Day.

Over 100 passionate alumni and supporters met with 87 congressional offices to push for continued funding and support of the Fulbright Program and international exchanges. Through bipartisan engagement, powerful personal testimonies, and data-driven advocacy, we reinforced Fulbright’s role in strengthening U.S. diplomacy, higher education, and local economies.

Our delegation didn’t just show-up – they owned the day and left an unforgettable impression. Whether they were in scheduled meetings, networking in the cafeteria, catching a quick conversation in the elevator, or seizing a moment in the hallway to speak with a passing representative or senator, Fulbrighters made their voices heard. Capitol Hill was buzzing with activity, and despite the long lines and competition for attention, both our new and seasoned advocates drew inspiration from the electric energy of the day.

As Fulbrighter Casey Gibson reflected:

“I really enjoyed the event yesterday, and it felt good to be doing something. I’ve lived in DC for two years now, but yesterday was the most ‘DC’ I’ve felt, walking around Capitol Hill, talking to congressional staffers, and even spotting Trump in his motorcade. What a day.”

Key Takeaways from #StandforFulbright Advocacy Day

Bipartisan Support for Fulbright

Despite the unpredictable climate on Capitol Hill, we walked away encouraged by the strong, bipartisan support for the Fulbright Program. Legislators and staffers across party lines recognized its critical role in cultural diplomacy, educational exchange, and international cooperation. We tackled misconceptions, strengthened relationships in key congressional offices, and elevated Fulbright as a must-have investment in American leadership and innovation.

We focused our energy on congressional offices overseeing U.S. foreign affairs, national security, and appropriations. These strategic conversations emphasized the Fulbright Program’s value to U.S. diplomacy, national security, and international engagement. Many key offices pledged their unwavering commitment to advocating for Fulbright funding during the upcoming FY26 budget discussions.

As we push forward, we’re committed to working with members on both sides of the aisle to ensure Fulbright remains a funding priority for a Smarter, Stronger, and More Prosperous America. 

Local Impact of the Fulbright Program

From Rhode Island to Nebraska and Wisconsin to California, we made the case for the Fulbright Program’s direct impact on communities across the country. Lawmakers and their teams were impressed by firsthand accounts of Fulbright’s impact on local economies, universities, businesses, and constituents.

A key message resonated strongly: Fulbright is not foreign aid—it’s an investment in Americans and our future as a country. The Program funds U.S. citizens’ international experiences, strengthens our higher education and research networks, drives American-led innovation, and brings global perspectives to local communities. Many constituents met with their representatives – and in about a dozen cases, they were able to meet with the Senator or Congressperson themselves – making our advocacy even more personal and impactful. Armed with state-specific impact reports, we were able to back these personal stories with solid data.

For example, in a meeting with Senator Pete Ricketts, Sebastián Marín, a first-year doctoral student at the University of Nebraska, shared how Fulbright has propelled his education and career. This personal testimony embodied the $117,000,000 economic contribution of foreign students in Nebraska in 2023-24, which left a lasting impact on the Senator and his staff. 

This is just one of such stories from the day. We saw in real time how combining personal impact statements and hard data is critical in reinforcing Fulbright’s tangible impact. With support from our 54 local chapters, we will continue district-focused advocacy efforts in the coming weeks, ensuring that every member of Congress understands Fulbright’s value at home.

Challenges

While support for Fulbright remains strong, we faced predictable concerns about budget constraints and the ongoing funding freeze. In a meeting with Delaware lawmakers, our advocates shared real-life stories illustrating how the ongoing funding freeze is causing uncertainty for those who rely on the Program for professional and personal growth.

As we anticipated, not every meeting was an easy sell. In some meetings, we had to address misconceptions about the Program, such as the presumption of elitism. We worked to redirect attention to Fulbright’s opportunities for rural districts, like those in Missouri, through community and technical colleges. The more specific we can be about easing misconceptions and tying Fulbright’s impact directly to the constituency, the more successful our advocacy will be.

We are taking lessons from both our successes and our challenges to inform our ongoing advocacy efforts, both in local districts and in Washington, DC.

Moving Forward: How You Can Help

#StandforFulbright Capitol Hill Day was a major success, but our work is far from over. Here’s how you can join us now in the fight to save Fulbright:

• Attend local district meetings with your chapter by becoming an active member of the Fulbright Association.
• Sign up for the letter-writing campaign and tell Congress why Fulbright matters. Make sure you are subscribed to our newsletter for updates. 
• Join us for the Night of Champions on May 8 in D.C. and rally for Fulbright’s future. More information will be available soon at fulbright.org. 
• Engage on social media using #StandforFulbright and our Social Media Toolkit for inspiration. 

Every time Fulbrighters come together, we strengthen our collective voice. Advocacy Day was not only about protecting funding Fulbright – it was about lifting each other up, sharing our stories, and reaffirming our commitment to this life-changing program. As Board Vice Chair Leland Lazarus put it, the event was truly “a perfect FA day.”

This success would not have been possible without the dedication of our participants, sponsors, and allies. Special thanks to Loren Aho, Venable LLP, and our guest speaker, Donald Mooers, for their leadership and support. We also extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsors: Bruce Fowler, Fenton May, Long Family Fund, Kevin Quigley, Loren Hershey, John Vogel, Mike Malinowski, and Jennifer Gennaro Oxley.

We left Washington, D.C., feeling fired up and ready to continue this important work. Thank you to everyone who participated in Advocacy Day—your voices make a difference! 

— Jennifer, Fiona, Alicia, and the Fulbright Association Team