On March 19th, nearly 100 Fulbright alumni and friends took to Capitol Hill to advocate for the Fulbright Program and achieved great success. Our community reached a historic milestone by meeting with 125 congressional offices, the highest number in recent Fulbright Association history. This incredible level of engagement demonstrates the passion, commitment, and influence of the Fulbright community.
As we reflect on last week’s Advocacy Day, we want to begin with a heartfelt thank you to everyone who volunteered their time, energy, and expertise. Your participation made this extraordinary day possible and demonstrated the strength of our collective voice in advocating for international exchange.
Across the day, meetings were overwhelmingly positive and reaffirmed strong, bipartisan support for the Fulbright Program. Many offices were already familiar with and supportive of Fulbright, with several having signed on to funding requests and expressing clear alignment with our ask to restore FY 2025 funding at $287.8m for FY 2027. In other cases, our advocates helped to build on that support by sharing not only the Program’s national significance, but also its direct impact in communities and districts across the country.
This year, as we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Fulbright Program, that impact feels especially significant. As Leland Lazarus, Chair of the Fulbright Association Board of Directors, shared at our evening reception:
“At a time of such conflict and uncertainty, our Fulbright community is the greatest force of peace the world has ever seen.”
For eight decades, through shifting geopolitical landscapes and global challenges, Fulbright has remained a vital investment in people, ideas, and international understanding. It continues to prepare leaders across disciplines while fostering the relationships that drive a more connected, cooperative world.
As in previous years, one theme stood out above all: the power of personal stories. Whether centered on research, community engagement, national security, or people-to-people diplomacy, the experiences of our Fulbright community brought the mission of the Program to life. These stories created meaningful moments of connection for Members of Congress and their staff and were invaluable in educating and engaging new champions for international exchange. Time and time again, offices responded with genuine interest and thoughtful questions, which will continue to shape and strengthen our advocacy in the months ahead.
Throughout Advocacy Day, we grounded our conversations in four key messaging priorities:
Bipartisan Investment in Global Leadership
Since 1946, the Fulbright Program has earned consistent bipartisan support. It equips students and scholars with the skills and perspectives needed to lead in a complex, interconnected world while advancing U.S. leadership through education and exchange. Continued investment in Fulbright is a clear and proven win for Congress.
National Security through International Exchange
At a time when global stability is increasingly critical, Fulbright plays a vital role in strengthening national security. By building long-term relationships between the United States and future leaders in 165 countries worldwide, the program fosters trust, cooperation, and open channels of communication, even in times of tension.
Workforce and Economic Competitiveness
Fulbright prepares Americans to compete and collaborate in a global economy. Participants gain access to cutting-edge research, new perspectives, and international networks that enhance their professional trajectories. At the same time, the program brings global talent into U.S. institutions and communities, strengthening industries and driving innovation.
Direct Local Impact
International exchange programs truly have the data to back up their value, both globally and right here at home. International students contribute nearly $43 billion to the U.S. economy each year, and local communities benefit from the skills and perspectives that would not exist without the Program on both sides of the exchange. By investing in these scholars, the United States receives an average 12-to-1 return on investment, with tangible effects that strengthen local economies, enrich classrooms, and drive innovation for years to come.
In speaking with advocates after their meetings, we were inspired by the energy and positivity that filled and fueled our day on the Hill. The momentum we built together is a testament to the power of our community. With more than 400,000 Fulbright alumni worldwide, the collective impact of this program is immense – not only in shaping individual careers, but in advancing diplomacy, strengthening institutions, and building lasting global partnerships.
We are also deeply grateful to our sponsors, Venable and the Fulbright Chronicles, whose support made this extraordinary day possible.
Overall, the day underscored a clear message: the Fulbright Program continues to enjoy broad support on Capitol Hill, and direct engagement from alumni remains one of the most effective ways to strengthen and sustain that support.
Looking Ahead: How to Get Involved
Advocacy Day is just the beginning. Your stories and voices are essential for sustaining this strong, bipartisan support for the Fulbright Program. Here is how you can get involved right now:
- Share Your Fulbright Story: Submit your experiences so we can feature them in future advocacy initiatives and amplify your impact.
- Become a Member and Connect with your Local Chapter: Learn how to advocate in your community and join our network of more than 50 chapters nationwide.
- Subscribe to Our Newsletter: Stay up to date on Fulbright news, advocacy initiatives, and upcoming opportunities to engage.
Whether on Capitol Hill or in your own community, your engagement makes a real difference. Together, we can ensure the Fulbright Program continues to shape leaders, strengthen communities, and advance international understanding for decades to come.