Senator Fulbright's proposal to the U.S. Congress was simple yet remarkable: using 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."
The Fulbright Program is now the largest educational scholarship program in the world and operates between the U.S. and more than 150 countries.
India has one of the largest Fulbright Programs worldwide, with approximately 20,000 fellowships and grants awarded to Indians and Americans to date.
The Fulbright Program, in collaboration with universities, schools, binational Fulbright Commissions, government agencies, non-governmental organizations and private sector agencies awards students, scholars, teachers and professionals whose achievements and potential make them outstanding representatives of their societies merit-based grants to study and/or do research in a variety of academic fields and disciplines.
The primary source of funding for the Fulbright Program comes from the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs through an annual appropriation by the U.S. Congress.
