About the Fulbright Commission
“The simple purpose of the exchange program…is to erode the culturally rooted mistrust that sets nations against one another. The exchange program is not a panacea but an avenue of hope.”
Senator J William Fulbright
Created in 1948, the US-UK Educational Commission (Fulbright Commission) offers the only bi-national transatlantic academic awards programme between the US and the UK. We are part of an inspirational global programme conceived by Senator J William Fulbright in the aftermath of World War II, to promote leadership, learning and empathy between nations through educational exchange. Since its inception, nearly 300,000 extraordinary women and men from all over the world have had their lives changed profoundly by the Fulbright Programme.
The US-UK Fulbright Commission has a distinguished history built on the legacy of the late Senator J William Fulbright. Every year, we help around 50 UK and 50 US citizens to study, lecture, conduct research or focus on professional development at leading institutions in their host country (for more on this work, visit the Awards section).
Notable alumni of the programme include:
- Malcolm Bradbury, novelist
- Liam Byrne, politician
- Milton Friedman, economist and Nobel Prize Winner 1976
- Charles Kennedy, politician
- John Lithgow, actor
- Tarik O’Regan, composer
- Sylvia Plath, poet
- Lord William Wallace, politician
- Ian Rankin, novelist
- Sir Christopher Rose QC, judge
- Baroness (Shirley) Williams, politician
- Toby Young, journalist and playwright
- Vanessa Heaney Journalist, BBC World Service
The Commission is funded partially by the UK government and partially by the US government, with additional support coming from a variety of individual and institutional partners. The work of the Commission is carried out by approximately 9 full time staff but is complemented by its well-known internship programme.
More information about the US-UK Fulbright Commission
- Find out more about the history of the US-UK Fulbright Commission
- Get the latest news from the Commission or view our calendar
- Download our annual report for full details of the awards granted each year and our financial status
- View case studies of past and recent Fulbright Scholars
- Contact our alumni association, the British Fulbright Scholars Association (BFSA)
- Support the work of the Fulbright Commission, browse our Partnership Opportunities
- Contact Us
Quick Facts:
- 18 Fulbright alumni have served as head of state or government
- 11 Fulbright alumni have been elected to US Congress
- 1 Fulbright alumnus has served as Secretary-General of the UN
- 39 Fulbright Alumni from 10 countries have received the Nobel Prize, including 2 in 2008
© US-UK Fulbright Commission 2008