They have a budget of $236.000,000. They feel underfunded. They want $250,000,000 to fund their program. That extra $14,000,000 will make the difference they believe. A quarter billion of our money. Who are they? The advocates of the Fulbright Scholarship Program. Founded by Senator William Fulbright (D-AR), in 1946, it is a competitive merit-based grants program for the international educational exchange of students, scholars, teachers, professionals, scientists, and artists. Essentially American citizens can compete for grants to go abroad, and international students compete to conduct their studies here. Senator Fulbright started the program that bears his name to promote better mutual understanding on the heels of World War II. It has grown extensively since then. When you hear of someone being a “Fulbright Scholar,” congratulate them, and take pride in having paid for their experience abroad. It is not all study. A few scholars known to NoViewNews have also recreated abroad in various entertaining ways.
Michael Moncrief, the oldest in the group that is going from one senatorial appointment, to another, is very proactive in espousing the bang for the buck aspect of the Fulbright Scholar Program. “What we get in return from the scholars experience abroad is ten times what their grant costs.” Cost benefit is an effective tool in their funding approach. Other countries in sum dole out a collective $110,000,000 to send their up and comers here.
Brenda McGadney is all about funding efforts from the senators she meets. “We are very underfunded, we need every dime we can get from visits like these, and otherwise.” They should get a receptive audience. More than a few Fulbright Scholars roam the halls of congress on both sides of the Hill. Sponsoring the Fulbright Scholar Program in the U.S. Senate today are Senator Lindsey Graham, (R-SC), and the two Arkansans in the chamber, Senator Tom Cotton, (R-AR), and Senator John Boozman, (R-AR). Conveniently, Senator Boozman is the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Two Arkansas senators are always in the Fulbright leadership, as Fulbright himself was an Arkansas senator.
Blake Phillips is the point man for the Fulbright quartet. He tells us that there are around 380,000 alumni. Along with the Rhodes Scholar Program, being a Fulbright scholar is a prestige unrivaled among scholarship programs. Phillips tells NoViewNews there are roughly 8,000 grants awarded annually. Much of the money comes from a guaranteed annual appropriation from congress. The amount can vary. Other funding comes from direct, or in-kind support, given by corporations, foundations, partner governments, and host institutions. 49 countries participate in the scholarship program.
It is bi-partisan. Fulbright alumni fall on either side of the aisle. It is not a politically minded program although several alumni have become influential in the world of politics. Representative John Sarbanes, (D-MD), and Gabrielle Giffords, an Arizona Democrat who retired from congress to work on her rehabilitation after being shot at a campaign event are an example. The Trump Administration wants to slash the Fulbright appropriation to $125,000,000. It would seem reasonable, but alumni among the Hill and State Department, disagree. The joke in these two components of government is the knock you hear at the door may be a Fulbright scholar holding a tin cup.
Blake Phillips gets the group going. The next stop is Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, (D-NV). It’s 4:29, and it’s a 4:30 appointment. Do you think the Fulbright Scholarship Program is sufficiently funded at $250 million, or should be slashed to $125 million? Let us know in the comments section.
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