Nearly all members of the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board resigned, citing concerns over the Trump administration’s alleged “unprecedented actions,” which they believe violate the law. The board accused the administration of denying a significant number of Fulbright awards for the 2025-2026 academic year and implementing an unauthorized review process affecting 1,200 foreign recipients. These actions were deemed contradictory to the Fulbright mission and values such as free speech and academic freedom. The resignations represent the latest clash between President Trump and educational institutions, following a pattern of targeting colleges, threatening funding based on political ideologies, and revoking student visas.

Established in 1961 and comprising 12 presidentially appointed members, the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board selects participants for the cultural exchange program. Carmen Estrada-Schaye remains the sole board member post-resignations. The former members emphasized the program’s integrity based on merit and insulation from political interference, now compromised by recent events.

Senator Jeanne Shaheen expressed concerns about the impact of the resignations on Fulbright programming quality, highlighting the potential repercussions on independent research and academic leadership. The board noted their efforts to address legal concerns with Trump administration officials, who allegedly failed to respond or rectify the situation.

Furthermore, recent administration actions, such as suspending international visas for new Harvard University students and expanding social media screening for visa applicants, may deter international students from studying in the US. These measures have already caused uncertainty in higher education institutions and could have long-term implications on the labor market and economy.