Being awarded a Fulbright is often described as one of the greatest honors a scholar can receive. It is a rigorous, highly selective process that identifies America’s best and brightest, those with the intellect, dedication, and cross-cultural adaptability to represent the United States abroad. And yet, despite its legacy, despite its significance in diplomacy, and despite the thousands of scholars who have gone on to shape academia, policy, and global relations, Fulbrighters now find themselves abandoned.
The recent decision to freeze funding has thrown grantees into chaos, leaving many stranded in foreign countries without financial support. Those of us currently in the field who, just months ago, were celebrated as ambassadors of knowledge and goodwill by our own U.S. Embassy are now being abandoned. The same officials who once praised our achievements and our commitment to global engagement now turn their backs on us, all while dutifully aligning with the whims of the current administration.
The Fulbright Journey: What It Takes to Get Here
To understand the gravity of this moment, one must first understand how hard it is to become a Fulbright grantee. It is not simply an application; it is a grueling selection process that demands academic excellence and a clear vision for impactful research, cultural diplomacy, and leadership. Each year, thousands apply, yet only a fraction are selected. Those who make it through are not just scholars but representatives of the United States abroad, tasked with fostering international collaboration and deepening global understanding.
And now? My 2024-2025 Fulbright cohort may very well be the last.
The Reality for Current Fulbrighters
It is difficult to articulate what it feels like to be in the middle of a Fulbright grant while experiencing this level of uncertainty. For months, I have poured my energy into my research in Romania, working closely with local communities to study human security in the Danube Delta while also representing the U.S. in cultural exchange programs by meeting with Romanian students and giving talks. But suddenly, overnight, I found myself in a precarious situation with a potential funding freeze, my research questioned, and my position unstable.
I am one of the lucky ones. Because I am hosted in Romania, which has an excellent Fulbright Commission, my monthly living expenses stipend comes from the Romanian authorities, meaning I can continue my work for now. But many of my peers are not so fortunate. For them, the funding freeze means immediate financial distress, an abrupt halt to their research, and the potential of being forced to return to the U.S. without completing the work they fought so hard to pursue.
In addition to the financial uncertainty, there has been increasing pressure on Fulbrighters regarding what we can and cannot research and what we can and cannot say. I have personally experienced censorship, such as not being able to speak openly about women in security because of the latest DEI policies. I am also genuinely concerned about my freedom to continue researching climate change while potentially receiving federal funding. The implication that my research focus could determine my eligibility for support is deeply concerning, especially given the growing urgency of climate-related security challenges.
For a while, I was hesitant to speak up about this censorship. As a current Fulbrighter and a representative of the United States abroad, I felt a deep sense of responsibility to remain diplomatic and avoid drawing negative attention to the program that gave me this opportunity. But with the funding freeze and the growing impact on our program, I can no longer remain silent. It is not just my research or grant at stake; it is the integrity of Fulbright itself.
A Fortunate Escape: The Privilege of Being Romanian
Another stroke of luck for me: I am a dual citizen. Unlike many of my peers, I do not have to return to the U.S. when my grant ends. I can stay in Romania, continue my work, and advance my research without fearing financial collapse or forced relocation. But this should not be about luck. Scholars should not have to rely on the goodwill of host countries or dual citizenship to continue their work. They should not be punished for having been chosen for one of the most prestigious international scholarships in the world.
What Happens Now?
Right now, there are more questions than answers. Fulbright is proceeding with its usual programming as if nothing has changed, despite the fact that the program has been thrown into crisis. Future applicants are left wondering whether they should even bother applying, and current grantees are scrambling for solutions.
For years, Fulbright has been heralded as a beacon of academic excellence and global cooperation. But how can we continue to see it that way when those who have dedicated themselves to its mission are now being abandoned?
America’s best and brightest deserve better than this.