Eleven out of 12 members of the board overseeing the prestigious Fulbright scholarship programme have resigned in protest, accusing the Trump administration of political interference in the selection of award recipients.
In a strongly worded statement published online, the resigning members claimed that the administration had overridden the board’s authority by revoking awards from a significant number of candidates who had already been selected to study or teach in the United States and abroad. Also, around 1,200 foreign scholars who had received approval to travel to the US are now undergoing an unapproved review process that could result in their rejection.
“To continue serving after the administration has repeatedly ignored the board’s calls to follow the law would risk legitimising actions we consider unlawful and would damage the integrity of this historic programme and America’s credibility abroad,” the statement said.
The resignations came on the same day that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed a gathering at the American Compass in Washington, though he made no reference to the matter in his speech.
The Fulbright Programme, established nearly eight decades ago by the US Congress, aims to promote global academic exchange and diplomacy. It is one of the most competitive international scholarship schemes, awarding around 9,000 grants annually to students, academics and professionals in over 160 countries.
Carmen Estrada-Schaye, the sole remaining board member, confirmed the resignations and stated she would remain in post. “I was appointed by the President of the United States, and I intend to complete my term,” she said.
Fulbright scholars include recent US university graduates who pursue academic work or teach abroad, American academics posted overseas, and foreign scholars invited to study or lecture in the United States. Alumni include heads of state and government, Nobel laureates, and Pulitzer Prize winners. Among them are Haiti’s transitional president Leslie Voltaire, Bangladeshi economist Muhammad Yunus, Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Luc Frieden, and King Felipe VI of Spain.
India is one of the largest partners in the Fulbright Programme. Each year, hundreds of Indian students, researchers, and professionals travel to the United States under the Fulbright-Nehru fellowships, a jointly funded initiative between the US and Indian governments. These fellowships support a wide range of academic activities, from postdoctoral research and doctoral studies to teaching and public policy exchanges.
Indian scholars have played a vital role in building academic and cultural bridges between the two countries. Fulbright alumni from India include leading academics, diplomats, policy experts, and public servants. The disruption to the programme, current and prospective Indian participants fear, could jeopardise years of academic cooperation and limit opportunities for future generations.
Scholarship recipients are chosen through a year-long process overseen by non-partisan staff from the US State Department and foreign embassies. The board has traditionally had the final say. According to the resigning members, the revoked awards span a wide range of fields, including biology, agriculture, engineering, music, medicine and history.
The departing board members were all appointed under former President Joe Biden. In response, the State Department claimed they were politically motivated and said the board’s role had been overstated.
“It is absurd to suggest that these appointees should retain final authority over the selection process—particularly when it concerns compliance with President Trump’s executive orders,” a department spokesperson said. “The notion that the Fulbright-Hays Act grants the board exclusive and final authority is false. This is merely a political stunt aimed at undermining President Trump.”
The board members accused the administration of compromising the Fulbright Programme’s commitment to meritocracy and shielding it from political influence.
“These actions not only violate the legal framework, but also undermine the mission of Fulbright and the values of academic freedom and free expression that Congress enshrined in law,” their statement said. “We hope Congress, the courts, and future Fulbright boards will act to prevent any further attempts to degrade or dismantle one of the nation’s most respected and valuable programmes.”
The resignations come amid a broader tightening of US policy on international students. The Trump administration has expanded grounds for cancelling student visas, halted scheduling of new visa interviews, and stepped up scrutiny of social media activity among applicants. It has also moved to block foreign students from enrolling at Harvard University, citing the institution’s failure to comply with proposed reforms.