The Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board has resigned in protest. They worry that the Trump administration is currently politicizing which scholarships are awarded. The board went on to voice extreme displeasure at the administration’s steps. They feel these actions have eroded the integrity of the Fulbright program and took this strong position for all to see on Substack.
Comprising 12 members, the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board expressed that a substantial number of individuals selected for the 2025-2026 academic year were denied their awards. The board is appalled by this refusal to deny. They claim that such steps undermine the very purpose of the program.
It was great to see the board make such a strong statement. They pointed out how the administration’s actions break clear, established guidelines and undermine core values such as free speech and academic freedom.
“We believe these actions not only contradict the statute but are antithetical to the Fulbright mission and the values, including free speech and academic freedom, that Congress specified in the statute,” – The Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.
As the board noted, the administration has refused awards to dozens of eligible recipients. On top of this, they are subjecting another 1,200 foreign Fulbright recipients to an unapproved review process. This scrutiny could lead to further rejections, raising concerns about the future of the program and its commitment to fostering international educational exchange.
Read our statement outlining these grievances, available as a Substack post. It provides transparency around what your board stands for, what they’ve done or not done.