For partners 
Not long ago, dark clouds were gathering over the well-known international and cultural exchange program Fulbright. The U.S. budget bill for 2027 covering national security, the State Department, and related programs requested approximately $701 million; $647 million was approved for educational and cultural exchanges. And yet, some members of Congress had proposed cutting international exchange spending by as much as 68%!
Fulbright is included in this bill, which is why it was in desperate need of majority support from both parties. About 2,800 program supporters sent more than 3,100 messages to members of Congress in support of Fulbright, calling it a «sound investment» and emphasizing that it is one of the largest, most widely recognized, and most prestigious educational programs in the world.
But there is no room to fully relax: even the bill approved by the House of Representatives must still pass through the Senate. Senators are expected to potentially even increase funding, but they will tighten oversight of spending and the allocation of funds. The Senate's decision will make clear how willing the current U.S. administration is to continue supporting academic and cultural exchanges — given that immigration and visa policies continue to tighten.
