Meeting the Moment in 2026

The year 2026 is consequential for two reasons: it marks the 250th anniversary of the United States and the 80th anniversary of the Fulbright Program. These milestones arrive at a moment of profound global uncertainty—when democracies are being tested, when trust between societies is under strain, and when governments are increasingly tempted to turn inward.

From its founding, the United States inspired democracies around the world as a “shining city on a hill.” The Fulbright Program itself was born from the ashes of World War II, at a time when Europe lay in ruins and the world faced a stark choice between isolation and engagement. Senator J. William Fulbright believed that lasting security would not come from walls, weapons, or territorial threats, but from mutual understanding. His vision was clear: rebuilding trust between nations through education, exchange, and human connection was essential to preventing another global catastrophe.

That vision matters as much now as it did then.

For eight decades, Fulbright has been a living counterweight to fear and fragmentation. Hundreds of thousands of Americans and international partners have crossed borders not as adversaries, but as students, scholars, engineers, scientists, business leaders, teachers, artists, and friends—building relationships that have endured through wars, ideological rivalry, political cycles, and moments of deep disagreement. When governments debate alliances and posture, the Fulbright community does something quieter and more durable: we listen, learn languages, live in other societies, and embody the idea that democracies are stronger when we understand one another.

In 2026, the Fulbright Association meets the moment by leaning into that responsibility. As official channels narrow and public diplomacy budgets are strained, the Fulbright community becomes an even more vital bridge between the United States and the world, one rooted not in policy statements, but in people.

This year, the Association is focused on three strategic goals that reflect both global realities and the needs of our community.

First, we are building a hub where Fulbrighters and young people can find meaningful work, connecting global experience to real career pathways and ensuring that international exchange translates into opportunity.

Second, we are positioning the Fulbright community as a global marketplace of talent, enabling small businesses, nonprofits, and multinational corporations alike to hire professionals who bring cross-cultural fluency, regional expertise, and global problem-solving skills.

Third, we are strengthening our commitment to local service, ensuring that global engagement delivers tangible benefits in communities across the United States, from classrooms and city halls to startups and civic organizations.

These goals further the Fulbright mission that mutual understanding today must be matched with economic opportunity, workforce mobility, and local impact. They reaffirm that global engagement is not abstract—it is personal, practical, and essential to democratic resilience at home.

As Fulbright himself reminded us, “having people who understand your thought is much greater security than another submarine.” That belief guided postwar recovery and transatlantic reconciliation. It remains our guiding principle today.

No matter the political winds, the Fulbright Association will continue to show up—for exchange, for service, and for the idea that engagement, not retreat, is the surest path to peace and prosperity. In 2026, as America reflects on its past and looks toward its future, the Fulbright community stands ready to be what it has always been at its best: a bridge to the world.

With gratitude,

Leland Lazarus

Chair, Board of Directors

Tammy Hettinger

Executive Director