Academic Exchange Programs – Scholars

The flagship international exchange program sponsored by the United States Government, the Fulbright Program is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. Funding is provided to non-profit organizations, colleges, and universities to support their work in designing and administering programs as well as coordinating program logistics. Funding supports publicity and recruitment, screening of applications, communication with participants, payment of individual grantee costs, and the provision of enrichment activities. Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSIs) for Scholars and Secondary Educators are five to six week academic programs designed to strengthen curricula and improve the quality of teaching about the United States in academic institutions overseas.

Hosted by U.S. universities and colleges, foreign university faculty, secondary educators, and other scholars spend approximately four weeks in an academic residency followed by a complimenting one to two-week study tour to another region of the United States. During the Institutes, scholars engage in rigorous academic coursework, seminar, and panel discussions; interact and establish networks with American scholars; meet with experts in the respective disciplines, visit civic institutions, and pursue related research interests. The Fulbright Specialist Program (FSP) provides an on-demand, rapid response exchange resource which sends highly qualified U.S. academics and professionals to host institutions abroad for short term visits of two-to-six weeks with a goal of sharing expertise and establishing partnerships which benefit institutions and communities both in the United States and overseas. Specialists carry out projects at host institutions that align with Department of State goals and the priorities of foreign host institutions.

The Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence Program enables U.S. colleges and universities to host academicians from abroad to lecture on a wide range of subject fields for a semester or academic year; to interact with students, faculty, and staff across campus; and to engage with the local community outside of campus, as part of internationalization efforts. Preference is given to institutions less involved in international exchange and/or institutions serving minority audiences, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, Tribal Colleges, Asian American and Pacific Islander serving Institutions, American Indian and Alaska Native Serving Institutions, Predominantly Black Institutions, small liberal arts colleges, community colleges and rural colleges and universities.
The Fulbright Global Scholar Award allows U.S. academics and professionals to engage in multi-country, trans-regional projects. Fulbright Global Scholars conduct research and teaching activities in two to three countries with flexible scheduling options. Participants represent a broad range of fields and levels of professional experience. The Fulbright Arctic Initiative supports and facilitates cross-disciplinary research and cooperation on shared challenges in the Arctic among scholars from the eight member states of the Arctic Council. Regional cohort programs -- the International Education Administrators (IEA) Seminars -- place visiting scholars from selected countries at U.S. colleges and universities and U.S. scholars at host institutions in select countries abroad.