The Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, comprising 12 members, resigned citing unprecedented political interference from the Trump administration. They accused the White House of unfairly denying Fulbright awards to numerous qualified candidates for the 2025-2026 academic year and subjecting 1,200 recipients to an unauthorized review that could terminate their programs. Established nearly 80 years ago by Congress to facilitate international educational exchanges, the board emphasized the importance of their independent mandate, which has traditionally been respected by past administrations, regardless of political affiliation. The State Department has yet to respond to the resignation.
In a statement posted on the board's Substack, the congressionally mandated Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board said its members voted "overwhelmingly" to resign from the board "rather than endorse unprecedented actions that we believe are impermissible under the law, compromise U.S. national interests and integrity, and undermine the mission and mandates Congress established for the Fulbright program nearly 80 years ago."
The board accused the White House of denying Fulbright awards to a "substantial" number of individuals who were selected for the 2025-2026 academic year through a rigorous, merit-based process.
Fulbright, which is administered through the State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, was created nearly 80 years ago by Congress in an effort to promote American diplomacy abroad through intellectual exchanges.
The board's mandate gives it final approval over program awards, which it has retained without interference from administrations in both parties, according to the statement.
#fulbright-program #political-interference #board-resignation #us-state-department #international-education
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