The Fulbright scholarship program, renowned for promoting international exchange and American diplomacy, is experiencing turmoil as nearly the entire overseeing board resigned on Wednesday. This walkout was in protest against the alleged interference by the Trump administration in the selection process of award recipients.
In a publicized statement, the board members expressed that the administration had undermined their authority by denying scholarships to a significant number of candidates already chosen for study and teaching opportunities, both in the U.S. and abroad. Furthermore, 1,200 foreign awardees, previously approved to travel to the U.S., are undergoing an unexpected review process which could result in their rejection, they claimed.
“To retain our posts under a system that consistently dismisses our requests to adhere to the law would legitimize actions we deem unlawful and tarnish the reputation of this storied program and America’s foreign credibility,” the statement asserted.
Created by Congress nearly 80 years ago, the Fulbright program aims to foster international education and diplomacy. Each year, it awards around 9,000 scholarships in the U.S. and over 160 other nations, targeting students, scholars, and various professionals across diverse fields. Despite the mass resignation, Carmen Estrada-Schaye remains the sole board member, stating, “I was appointed by the president of the United States, and I intend to fill out my term.”
The Fulbright scholarships support recent U.S. graduates pursuing studies or teaching positions abroad, American professors working in foreign universities, and international scholars coming to the U.S. Notable program alumni include global leaders and Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners, like Haiti’s Leslie Voltaire and Spain’s King Felipe VI, highlighting the program’s prestigious history.
Those awarded these opportunities are chosen through a rigorous yearlong process by nonpartisan State Department staff and foreign embassies, with the board holding final approval. Resigning board members, selected during President Joe Biden’s administration, accused the current administration of overturning awards in fields such as biology and music.
The State Department, responsible for managing the scholarships, dismissed the resignations as a political maneuver. They argued, “It’s unreasonable to assume these board members should retain ultimate control over the application process, particularly concerning academic alignment with President Trump’s policies. The claim that the Fulbright Hayes Act grants exclusive authority to the board is incorrect.”
The New York Times initially reported these resignations, which the former board argues compromise the Fulbright program’s nonpartisan, merit-based nature.
According to their statement, “These actions contravene the statute and undermine the Fulbright mission, along with the values of free speech and academic freedom enshrined by Congress.” They expressed hope that Congress, the judiciary, and future Fulbright boards will prevent efforts to undermine or dismantle such a vital and well-respected program.
This situation arises amidst the Trump administration’s increasing scrutiny of international students. Recent measures include expanding reasons for revoking their legal status, pausing interview scheduling for visas while intensifying the assessment of their social media, and pressuring institutions like Harvard to reform policies.