The US-UK Fulbright Commission was created by a treaty signed by the United Kingdom and the United States on 22 September 1948. It is a

non-profit organisation A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

based in London, UK. Its aim is to foster mutual cultural understanding through educational exchange between both nations. To do this, Fulbright helps students, scholars and professionals interested in studying abroad in the US or UK through its world-renowned scholarship programme and its

EducationUSA EducationUSA is a U.S. Department of State network of international student advising centers in more than 170 countries. EducationUSA is officially a branch in the Office of Global Educational Programs in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Af ...

advice service.

Global Fulbright Programme

The US-UK Fulbright Commission is part of the worldwide

Fulbright Program The Fulbright Program, including the Fulbright–Hays Program, is one of several United States Cultural Exchange Programs with the goal of improving intercultural relations, cultural diplomacy, and intercultural competence between the people o ...

. This is one of the most prestigious and well-known scholarship programmes. The global programme was conceived by Senator J. William Fulbright after the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposi ...

to promote leadership, learning and empathy between nations through educational exchange. The global programme operates over 155 countries and has supported 300,000 alumni in exchanges to and from the US. Within the global Fulbright programme, 28 alumni have served as head of state or government, 11 Fulbright alumni have been elected to

US Congress The United States Congress is the legislature of the federal government of the United States. It is bicameral, composed of a lower body, the House of Representatives, and an upper body, the Senate. It meets in the U.S. Capitol in Washin ...

, 1 Fulbright alumnus has served as Secretary-General of the UN, 43 Fulbright alumni from 11 countries have received the

Nobel Prize The Nobel Prizes ( ; sv, Nobelpriset ; no, Nobelprisen ) are five separate prizes that, according to Alfred Nobel's will of 1895, are awarded to "those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind." Alfr ...

(including 2 in 2010), and 78 alumni have received Pulitzer Prizes.

UK Fulbright Awards

There are several scholarship programmes operating between the US and UK. However, the US-UK Fulbright Commission is the only organisation offering scholarships on a bi-national basis, in any field and at any university. According to its website, Fulbright offers a wide range of programmes including Distinguished Chairs for senior academics, postgraduate study scholarships, professional awards and Summer Institutes for younger students. Since 1948, the UK Commission has supported approximately 15,000 British nationals on exchanges to the US and nearly 12,000 Americans to the UK. In recent years, around 50 UK and 50 US citizens received grants annually in the US and UK respectively.

EducationUSA Advisory Service

In addition to its scholarships, Fulbright provides information on and promotes US-UK exchange. In 2009/10, 8,861 British students studied in the US, and with the rise of tuition fees at UK universities, there has been increased interest in US study. That same year, another 45,000+ Americans studied in the UK. Fulbright's advisory service is part of the EducationUSA network of over 450 advising centres worldwide. The advisors are the UK's official source of information on educational exchange opportunities to the US. Advisors are able to provide accurate, unbiased information about all accredited US higher education institutions. Fulbright's website provides information on how to apply to US universities. They also offer events on US study, such as their College Day undergraduate university fair each autumn, a Grad School Day workshop in the spring, student and parent seminars throughout the year, webinars and advisor training. Students can also get additional advice by phone, email and in person at their office in Battersea.

Funding and administration

The US-UK Commission is funded partially by the US State Department and UK government through BIS. They get additional support from individual and institutional partners. Fulbright is governed by a Board of Commissioners that includes representatives nominated by the US and UK governments. Work is carried out by ten full-time staff and participants in their internship programme. The

Fulbright-Hays Act of 1961 The Fulbright Program, including the Fulbright–Hays Program, is one of several United States Cultural Exchange Programs with the goal of improving intercultural relations, cultural diplomacy, and intercultural competence between the people o ...

states that the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) administers the global Fulbright Program under policy guidelines set by the

J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board The J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board was established by the United States Congress for the purpose of supervising the Fulbright Program and certain programs authorized by the Fulbright-Hays Act of 1961, Fulbright-Hays Act and for the ...

(FSB). ECA does this with assistance of bi-national commissions and foundations, U.S. embassies, and cooperating agencies in the United States, such as the

Institute of International Education The Institute of International Education (IIE) is a 501(c) organization which focuses on international student exchange and aid, foreign affairs, and international peace and security. IIE creates programs of study and training for students, educa ...

(IIE) and Council for International Exchange of Scholars.

Alumni

The British Fulbright Scholars Association (BFSA) is the alumni association for British Fulbright Scholars. The BFSA is a private, non-profit organisation that promotes transatlantic relationships and international understanding through its network of Fulbright scholars. US-UK Fulbright alumni are also invited to join the State Alumni and

Fulbright Association Established on February 27, 1977, the Fulbright Association is a private, nonprofit organization whose members are Fulbright Program alumni and friends of international education. The association supports and promotes international educational and ...

networks. According to the Fulbright website, the following individuals are notable alumni of the scholarship program:

Legacy

The UK Fulbright Commission Archive is housed at the

British Library The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom and is one of the largest libraries in the world. It is estimated to contain between 170 and 200 million items from many countries. As a legal deposit library, the British ...

. The papers can be accessed through the British Library catalogue. The Fulbright Association has a long-standing collaboration with the US-UK Educational Commission (The Fulbright Commission) to support an annual lecture series held in the UK called the Fulbright Legacy Lectures