Curt Rice, director of the Fulbright Commission of Norway, faced unexpected challenges when the U.S. State Department rejected 40% of Norway's Fulbright scholar finalists. Historically, there had been little interference in the selection process, but U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio mandated additional scrutiny focusing on projects related to diversity and climate change. This directive led to the rejection of seven candidates out of 17. Rice noted that this political involvement marks a shift in the Fulbright program's operational norms, raising concerns about academic freedom and program integrity.
"There is almost no precedent for them to change a list of finalists sent by a host country," Rice said.
"The finalists whose acceptances were overruled all had proposals that dealt with either diversity or climate change," said Curt Rice.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio sent an internal cable detailing an additional step for the scholarship's review process.
This year State Department officials would give the final sign-off; they have been tasked with rooting out any projects that could violate President Trump's executive orders.
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