The Fulbright Program and What We Can Do

With the current federal funding freeze and the ways it is impacting Fulbrighters right now, I cannot help but reflect on my experience and also bring to light some of the struggles Fulbrighters are currently facing. Because for me, and for others, receiving a Fulbright U.S. Scholar award is an incredible honor. I have been able to connect with the community, engage in conversations with community members, begin my research, conceptualize new ideas to bring back to the United States and my students, and truly engage in cultural exchange. The Fulbright Program started in 1946, intended to help with diplomacy through international connections and intercultural relationships. The idea is that we can exchange ideas and knowledge globally. There are a lot of different awards, including ones awarded to students, teachers, and doctoral scholars. Regardless of its award, the application process is rigorous and reviewed at multiple levels. Some awards send scholars from the U.S. to other countries, and then others welcome international scholars into the United States.

Table at the Universidad de Málaga

I received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar award to Spain as a U.S. Scholar. With my project, I applied to conduct research. In order to do this, I had to create a detailed, scholarly proposal including background information and literature, a methodological plan, and ways that my work would contribute to not just my career but my field as well. My project explores how we can use sociological concepts and photographs to practice English speaking skills while discussing community concerns and ways to address them. But this is only one project out of thousands that exist. Some projects are researching mechanical engineering, dyslexia, literacy, medical interventions, hunger, and more.

Our projects are often funded by several sources, including budgets that have already been approved and accounted for by Congress. Meanwhile, the IIE (Institute for International Education) helps organize and arrange different elements. Other sources also help with contributions, such as commissions in the respective countries, but it is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Many folks in government positions and who have received Nobel and Pulitzer Prizes were Fulbright recipients, which can be found here: Notable Fulbrighters.

Wall painting at UMA

Receiving an award and representing the United States, our educational institutions, positions, and fields of study in other countries is an incredible experience that often bridges connections internationally with scholars, researchers, and organizations. As I mentioned, I feel very fortunate and honored to engage in this work. For many people, it's life-changing, too. I know personally, I wasn't in a space to explore study abroad opportunities when I was in undergrad and when my kids were little, financially and as a first-generation student, these experiences were really hard to navigate as well, unsure of how I might have a place to live when I moved back to the U.S., what type of job I might land since I had something that paid the bills well and had to work full-time, on top of struggling through undergrad with chronic migraines and transitioning from high school to college in and of itself. It has given me professional opportunities that I could not even imagine when I was in high school. I have made lasting connections with people both in the United States and globally and have already imagined ways I can bring these experiences to my students in the United States.

I write this because the federal funding freeze that has impacted many government workers, our national parks, and international programs, is also impacting the Fulbright program. However, it's not just the program, but the scholars who have received awards. This has been documented by a few sources, including NAFSA and The Pie. As NAFSA explains, the 15-day freeze was supposed to expire on February 27, but now, as of March 8, many are still being impacted.

So, what does this impact look like? First, some folks have had their awards paused or suspended, and they now will not be able to receive the award due to the location or funding itself. Others have already left but then had their programs halted or suspended indefinitely, leaving them in limbo as they were doing this as a job, their work, and connections, but now no longer have this opportunity. One of the most startling concerns, however, is that we can see a barrage of people frantically asking about their stipends on Reddit: Fulbright Reddit. But, to explain what I have witnessed from personal accounts of peers as well as this thread, is that people have been only given partial stipends. Some individuals were supposed to receive their entire semester stipend, something that is beneficial because you can find housing, put down a deposit on a flat or apartment, pay for long-term spaces more easily, and budget accordingly. For example, some individuals noted they were supposed to receive their $24,000 stipend, and only have received $2,200 of it. Meanwhile, others noted that they were supposed to receive their monthly stipends but have not yet, leaving them with a difference of $400, $1100, or sometimes $2500 of a monthly stipend that they are missing. Grantees are also not allowed to receive other funding for these, such as grants or scholarships, which means that supplementing these would be impossible. For my award, I brought my kids and received a dependent stipend, which means some Fulbrighters not only care for themselves but also need to worry about their children.

Photograph I took of a mosaic wandering around Spain, aligning with my work on visuals and community.

These individuals are in other countries, under the expectation that their necessities will be taken care of. Now, they are scrambling, trying to figure out how to take care of themselves while they are in other parts of the world, whether in the U.S. from outside of the country or from the U.S. in other countries. Some folks have received only partial payments that may only cover their rent. The IIE, various commissions worldwide, and advisors are doing whatever they can. There are stories of universities and colleges trying to put together financial support for their scholars, too. However, this is not a hot topic in Congress right now, and it should be. Granted, it's hard to navigate which should be the most important, but when the program has been designed to represent the United States, and we have scholars from the U.S. who are essentially stranded, this needs more attention. The U.S. State Department has not paid the IIE due to the federal funding freeze, which means the IIE is unable to disperse money.

I think the next question is: What do we do?

First, Fulbright scholars should contact their advisors at the IIE as well as their country's commission, and the U.S. State Department. But I think one of the most important things is for all of us to contact our Congresspeople. Congress is not fully aware of this; yes, they're aware of the overall implications of the freeze, but they are not fully aware that there are U.S. Citizens internationally without family, support, or a strong network and without funding who cannot meet their basic needs, which then puts their projects at risk, and negatively impacts the perceptions and impressions of U.S. diplomacy and cultural exchange. Not only does this impact U.S. Citizens but global scholars and the way that we, in the U.S., may treat them as well, which can cause tensions and concerns. If you aren't sure of how to contact your Congress representative(s), you can do that here: Find Your Representation or Contact Congress.

I know it can feel really difficult to navigate these things and understand what to do next and overwhelming with constant streams of information, but these are tangible ways to help make some small difference. Meanwhile, if you know people who are Fulbighters or receiving funding through any of the programs through IIE and the U.S. Department of State, please reach out to them to make sure that they're doing okay. Even if we are not impacted personally, we likely know people who are, and seeing these programs, and specifically, funding, at risk is incredibly difficult as we are still trying to engage in culture and knowledge exchanges with these mounting pressures. It is an honor to receive these awards, and most of us do it because we believe strongly in these global relationships, a deep dedication to our fields, and the power of research, arts, teaching, and dialogue.

Please share the word.