#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 […]
Advocacy Update – June 2024
Since 1946, the Fulbright Program, founded by Senator J. William Fulbright, has stood as a beacon of educational and cultural exchange, fostering international understanding and academic collaboration across 165 nations. As America’s flagship program for promoting global mutual understanding, the Fulbright Program empowers people to tackle pressing global challenges and create cultural exchanges that celebrate […]
Advocacy Update – April 2023
On April 20, 2023, 92 Fulbright Advocates from nearly 30 states and foreign nations made their way to Washington, D.C., for Fulbright Advocacy Day! In meetings with 75 Congressional Offices, advocates urged for support of the Fulbright Program, America’s flagship international exchange program. Through global collaboration with 49 binational Fulbright Commissions and 110+ U.S. embassies, […]
Fulbright Program Receives First Funding Increase in 12 Years
By Melanie Horton-Dirschberger, former Fulbright Association board member and Chair of Advocacy Advisory Committee Last May, we reported that the Fulbright Program may finally get a spending increase, thanks in part to the Fulbright Association’s advocacy efforts. The House Appropriations Committee had endorsed a $10 million increase to the fiscal year 2022 funding level of […]
Advocacy Yields $15 million more for Fulbright
The regime change in Afghanistan and the war in Ukraine remind us that our world may always be rocked by violence, and that we must each do what we can to build a lasting peace based on understanding. For our part, Fulbright alumni work continuously to ensure that the Fulbright Program remains an effective instrument […]
Advocacy Update May 2021
This Zoom call was extraordinary for several reasons. It was the first time Association members from Alaska could participate in advocacy for the Fulbright Program. Alaska is too far from Washington to have make the trip prior to COVID, but the wonders of digital connections made it possible and normal. Second, one of those Alaskans, […]
In Honor of Representative John Lewis
Approximately nine months ago (October 24-26, 2019), I had the privilege of attending the Fulbright 42nd Annual Conference and Advocacy Day. This conference happened to coincide with Congressman’s Elijah Cummings memorial at the capitol. As our multicultural cohort was enroute to render our respects to Representative Cummings, we encountered Congressman John Lewis. For whatever reason, […]
Advocacy Update: May 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has created unexpected challenges—and opportunities—when advocating for the Fulbright Program on Capitol Hill. The challenges are obvious. To protect our members and advocates, we had to cancel our March 26 Advocacy Day. Congressional offices closed to visitors. The State Department had to suspend the Program itself, sending Fulbrighters home prematurely. And, of […]