Media Note Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC June 19, 2003 Department of State Announces Recipients of 2003-2004 Fulbright AwardsThe U.S. Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board are pleased to announce Fulbright awards to U.S. students for 2003-2004. Under this program, 1,125 American students have been offered grants to study and conduct research in 140 countries throughout the world beginning this fall.
The Fulbright Program, established in 1946, is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. Patricia S. Harrison, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, noted that „nearly 100,000 Americans who have held Fulbright grants have been enriched by the knowledge, awareness and friendships they acquire while living and studying abroad. These Fulbrighters contribute greatly to mutual understanding among people of different political and cultural backgrounds. Many have gone on to play influential leadership roles in virtually all fields.“
This year’s U.S. Fulbright students were selected from among more than 5,000 recommended applicants. The awardees come from all 50 U.S. states, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. They are drawn from a diverse cross-section of American higher education, with more than 250 U.S. institutions represented. The majority are graduating seniors, but the group also includes candidates for graduate degrees as well as developing professionals and artists. Most will spend a full academic year in a host country overseas.
Funding for the Fulbright Program is provided through annual appropriations by the U.S. Congress, significant contributions by partner governments, and generous cost-sharing by colleges and universities in the U.S. and overseas. The presidentially-appointed 12-member J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, chaired by Caroline A. Matano Yang, oversees the Fulbright Program and is responsible for approving all grantees. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is administered by the New York-based Institute of International Education, under an agreement with the Department of State.
The Fulbright Program also awards grants to American teachers and faculty to do research, lecture and teach overseas. In addition, some 2,200 foreign Fulbright students and scholars come to the United States annually to study, carry out research and lecture at U.S. universities, colleges and secondary schools.
For a listing of recipients visit http://exchanges.state.gov/education/fulbright/2004recipients.htm CONTACT: |