Fulbright Program

Foundation of the International Educational Exchange Program

In 1946 the U.S. Senate introduced legislation proposed by James William Fulbright and made history by establishing the world's first international educational exchange program. The program, funded by the U.S government, was launched with the intention of promoting peace and understanding amongst the individuals, institutions and future leaders of the countries across the globe. Senator James William Fulbright said of the program, "[it] aims to bring a little more knowledge, a little more reason, and a little more compassion into world affairs and thereby increase the chance that nations will learn at last to live in peace and friendship." Since its inception the Fulbright Program has provided more than 325,000 participants with the opportunity to conduct research abroad, and has made possible the international circulation of people, cultures and ideas. The Fulbright Program was the pioneering educational project that enabled a broad development of academic exchange all over the world.