Fulbright Commissions: Bilateral Partnerships

The Fulbright Program’s success and worldwide stature is built on a commitment to international bilateral partnerships and joint priority-setting between the United States and over 160 countries.   

Today’s dynamic, global Fulbright Program grew out of the Fulbright Act of 1946, which set up a series of agreements to manage funds from the sale of surplus war materials after the end of the Second World War. 

Fulbright Commissions were established through a framework set forth in legislation and binational agreements with the goal of creating conditions to build mutual understanding and avert future war. Today, independent binational Fulbright Commissions in 49 countries, funded jointly by the United States and partner governments, plan and implement Fulbright educational exchanges in their countries. Fulbright Commissions recruit and nominate candidates; identify local educational institutions to host Fulbrighters; fundraise; engage alumni; support incoming U.S. Fulbrighters; and operate an information service for the public on study in the United States. Each has a board that is appointed by the governments of the two countries and a professional staff led by an executive director who is an expert in the field.

Commissions also host activities and events, including during Fulbright’s global 75th anniversary celebration in 2021, when many hosted Fulbright Days which celebrated the impact of the binational partnerships through virtual and in-person events, webinars, digital exhibitions, and more. 

Commissions by Country

Austria flag icon
Austria

Austrian-American Educational Commission

Established 1950

Belgium, Luxembourg, EU Fulbright Icon
Belgium, Luxembourg, and European Union

Commission for Educational Exchange Between the United States, Belgium and Luxembourg

Established 1948

Denmark flag icon
Denmark

Fulbright Denmark

Established 1951

Finland flag icon
Finland

Fulbright Finland Foundation

Established 1952

Germany flag icon
Germany

German-American Fulbright Commission

Established 1952

Greece flag icon
Greece

U.S. Educational Foundation in Greece

Established 1948

Indonesia flag icon
Indonesia

American-Indonesian Exchange Foundation

Established 1992

Italy flag icon
Italy

The U.S.-Italy Fulbright Commission

Established 1948

Netherlands flag icon
Netherlands

Fulbright Commission the Netherlands

Established 1949

Philippines flag icon
Philippines

Philippine-American Educational Foundation

Established 1948

Poland flag icon
Poland

Polish-U.S. Fulbright Commission

Established 1995

Romania flag icon
Romania

Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission

Established 1992

Fulbright Taiwan Icon
Taiwan

Foundation for Scholarly Exchange

Established 1957

Thailand flag icon
Thailand

Thailand-U.S. Educational Foundation

Established 1950