Fulbright Program Board Resigns Amid Allegations of Political Interference
The entire board of the Fulbright Program has resigned, citing political interference from the Trump administration in the selection process for scholarship recipients.
Overview
- The Fulbright Program board resigned in protest against alleged political interference from the Trump administration.
- Resignations were prompted by unlawful denial of awards to numerous approved recipients for the 2025-2026 academic year.
- The board accused the Trump administration of undermining the program's merit-based selection process.
- The Fulbright Program, established in 1946, facilitates international educational exchanges for U.S. scholars and students.
- The resignations highlight concerns over the administration's influence on higher education and international scholarship opportunities.
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Analysis
Emphasizes the Fulbright board's resignation due to alleged political interference by the Trump administration.
The Trump administration unlawfully denied awards to a substantial number of people selected by the board for the 2025-2026 academic year.
The department is subjecting 1,200 approved Fulbright recipients to an unauthorized review process that may result in their rejection.
The entire board overseeing the Fulbright scholarship program resigned in protest of alleged political interference from the Trump administration.
The New York Times was the first to report the resignations.
The Trump administration's intervention compromised the program's merit-based selection process and its independence from political influence.
Recipients of awards are chosen through a yearlong process by nonpartisan State Department staff.
Articles (6)
Center (3)
"…The board members chose to resign “rather than endorse unprecedented actions that we believe are impermissible under the law, compromise U.S. national interests and integrity, and undermine the mission and mandates Congress established for the Fulbright program nearly 80 years ago," they said."
USA TODAY·1M·"…The intervention from the Trump administration undermined the program's merit-based selection process and its insulation from political influence, the board members wrote."
ABC News·1M·"…The intervention from the Trump administration undermined the program’s merit-based selection process and its insulation from political influence, the board members wrote."
Associated Press·1M·FAQ
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