Mission and History

Established in 1946 at the initiative of Senator James William Fulbright, the Fulbright Program is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries, through the exchange of persons, knowledge, and skills. The Program provides funding for graduate studies, research, university teaching and cultural exchanges.

Since 1960, when it first came to Romania, the Fulbright Program has provided and maintained most useful and beneficial intellectual, educational and cultural contacts between the two countries, with over 3,000 students, teachers, and scholars from both countries benefiting from this program.

After 1990, Fulbright exchanges have constantly expanded, playing an important role in assisting the democratic and economic reforms in Romania. Since May 1993, the Fulbright Program has been administered by the Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission, established in accordance with the bilateral agreement between the two Governments, represented by the U.S. Department of State and the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.