1945
U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright introduces legislation to the U.S. Congress for the creation of what would become one of the most prestigious international education exchange programs in the world.
1946
U.S. President Harry S. Truman signs the bill to establish the Fulbright Program into law, and Congress creates the Fulbright Program
1950
India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and U.S. Ambassador Loy Henderson sign the “Agreement Between the Government of India and the Government of the United States of America for Financing Certain Educational Exchange Programs,” which established the United States Educational Foundation in India (USEFI) to administer the Fulbright Program.
2008
On July 4, India’s Foreign Secretary Mr. Shiv Shankar Menon and U.S. Ambassador Dr. David C. Mulford sign a new agreement, whereby India and the United States commit to fund the Fulbright Program as equal partners. USEFI is renamed USIEF (United States-India Educational Foundation), and the core programs become known as Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships to honor India’s first Prime Minister.
2011
USIEF announces call for applications for the U.S.-India 21st Century Knowledge Initiative grant program. The initiative aims to strengthen collaboration and build partnerships between U.S. and Indian institutions of higher education.
2016
USIEF launches the Fulbright-Kalam Fellowship Program to build long-term capacity to address climate change related issues in both countries.
