Established in 1946 under legislation

introduced by the late Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas, the program's

purpose is the build mutual understanding between the people of the United

States and the rest of the world.

The Fulbright Program,America's

flagship international educational exchange program, is sponsored by the

United States Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural

Affairs.

For 57 years, Fulbright Programs

have exchanged over a quarter of a million people- 96,400 Americans who

have studied, taught or researched abroad and 158,600 students, scholars

and teachers from other countries who have engaged in similar activities

in the United States.

Recipients of Fulbright awards

are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievement and

because they have demonstrated extraordinary leadership potential in their

fields.