"In September 1945, the freshman senator from Arkansas, J. William Fulbright, introduced a bill in the U.S. Congress that called for the use of proceeds from the sales of surplus war property to fund the “promotion of international good will through the exchange of students in the fields of education, culture and science.” One year later, President Harry S. Truman signed the Fulbright Act into law.

Today, Fulbright is the most widely recognized and prestigious international exchange program in the world operating in more than 160 countries worldwide. The Fulbright Program was created to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. The program—working with universities, schools, bi-national Fulbright commissions, government agencies, nongovernmental organizations and the private sector—actively seeks out individuals of achievement and potential who represent the full diversity of their respective societies and selects nominees through open, merit-based competitions.

Since 1946, the Fulbright Program has continued to be agile and innovative in its approaches to fostering mutual understanding and people-to-people connections. In the 21st century, Fulbrighters address critical priorities in all world areas while building relationships, knowledge, and leadership in support of the long-term interests of the United States and the world. The program has prepared participants to address the major global challenges of our time, from energy sustainability and economic development to public health and food security.

The Fulbright Program also has a significant and lasting local impact. Upon returning to their home countries, institutions, or classrooms, Fulbrighters share their stories and experiences and often engage in follow-on projects or continue the work they started abroad. This engagement creates a multiplier effect that leads to lifelong collaborations between communities.

Fulbright Grantees and Institutions

The Fulbright Program awards more than 3,000 competitive, merit-based grants annually to students, scholars, teachers, artists, scientists, and professionals from across the United States. Fulbrighters hail from hundreds of U.S. institutions of all types and sizes; they study, teach and research in almost 100 different academic and professional fields; and they exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns in more than 140 countries." (extracted from us.fulbrightonline.org/about/history and eca.state.gov/fulbright/fulbright-impact)

 

Fulbright at Purdue University

Purdue University was named a "Fulbright Program Top Producer" in 2019-2020 for having eight faculty receive Fulbright Scholar awards.  In 2020-2021, nine Purdue University students and alumni received grant offers from the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. 

Purdue university has designated staff who assist faculty, staff and students with exploring the various Fulbright opportunities and determining which best fits the individual's needs and situation. 

For more information, see Inbound Foreign Students, Outbound U.S. Students, Inbound Faculty and Staff, or Outbound Faculty and Staff.

For up-to-date information about Fulbright faculty award opportunities look here.