Why the Fulbright scholarship program is facing a crisis under Trump’s oversight
The prestigious Fulbright scholarship program, a cornerstone of US diplomatic and academic exchange for nearly 80 years, is facing a deepening crisis under President Donald Trump’s administration. Designed to promote international understanding and academic excellence, the program is now caught in a storm of political interference and resignations that threaten its integrity and global reputation.A wave of resignations has shaken the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, with nearly all members stepping down in protest. In a public statement, the board members accused the Trump administration of unlawfully meddling in the selection process by denying scholarships to recipients who had already been approved to study and teach in the US and abroad. As reported by the Associated Press, the board declared that continuing to serve “would risk legitimizing actions we believe are unlawful and damage the integrity of this storied program and America’s credibility abroad.“Board accuses administration of overreachAccording to the Associated Press, board members stated that the administration overrode their authority by blocking a substantial number of already-selected candidates, and launching an unauthorized review of an additional 1,200 foreign awardees. These scholars, previously approved to travel to the US, are now subject to a secondary evaluation process that could lead to their rejection. The board emphasized that these actions contradict both the letter and spirit of the Fulbright-Hays Act, which established the program with protections from political influence.The Fulbright program, which awards approximately 9,000 scholarships annually in over 160 countries, is known for supporting a wide range of academic fields. The canceled scholarships affected students and scholars in disciplines such as biology, engineering, agriculture, music, medical sciences, and history. Selection has traditionally been managed by nonpartisan staff at the State Department and foreign embassies, with the board providing final approvals.Administration calls board members ‘political appointees’The State Department, which oversees the program, dismissed the board’s claims, describing the resignations as a political stunt. As quoted by the Associated Press, the department stated, “It’s ridiculous to believe that these members would continue to have final say over the application process, especially when it comes to determining academic suitability and alignment with President Trump’s Executive Orders.” The department added that the board members were partisan appointees of former President Joe Biden.One remaining board member, Estrada-Schaye, told the Associated Press, “I was appointed by the president of the United States and I intend to fill out my term.”Broader scrutiny of international students intensifiesThe controversy surrounding the Fulbright program is part of a broader pattern of increased scrutiny of international students under the Trump administration. According to the Associated Press, the government has expanded grounds for revoking foreign students’ legal status, paused new visa interviews, increased social media vetting, and pressured institutions like Harvard University to implement reforms.Former board members expressed hope that Congress, the courts, and future boards will defend the Fulbright program from what they called attempts to “degrade, dismantle, or even eliminate” a pillar of American diplomacy, as reported by the Associated Press.
