Our Mission
Fulbright Teacher Exchanges are programs of the U.S. Department of State, funded by the U.S. Congress. Through these professional learning programs, elementary and secondary educators, in the United States and around the world, develop their educational practice and bring global knowledge, skills and perspectives to their schools.
Educators forge lasting connections and prepare their students to be future leaders, equipped to work with others around the world to address global challenges.
Lasting Connections
Educational and Cultural Exchange
Mutual Understanding
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) oversees Fulbright Program operations throughout the world. The mission of the Bureau is to build relationships between the people of the United States and people of other countries through academic exchanges, including programs for youth and educators, and also through cultural, sports, and professional exchanges. We build relationships and foster connections among the world’s emerging leaders that help further our foreign policy goals. Virtually all exchanges involve cooperation with the nongovernmental and private sectors.
ECA supports more than 55,000 exchange participants in more than 140 different programs and are actively building a global network of citizens around the world who understand the United States, and U.S. citizens who understand the wider world, all of whom can be partners in solving global challenges.
IREX
IREX is a global development and education organization. We strive for a more just, prosperous, and inclusive world—where individuals reach their full potential, governments serve their people, and communities thrive. We work with partners in more than 100 countries in four areas essential to progress: cultivating leaders, empowering youth, strengthening institutions, and increasing access to quality education and information. In education, we work with individuals, institutions, and governments around the world to improve the quality of teaching and learning.
Our programs invest in educators, students, and administrators from primary school, secondary school, higher education, and professional training. IREX knows that quality education for students comes from excellent professional opportunities for educators and we are committed to offering a diverse portfolio of opportunities for students and educators.
Our Impact
Each year approximately 400 educators from more than 80 countries participate in Fulbright Teacher Exchanges. These educators teach a total of 75,000 students annually when they return home.
These educators join a global network of over 15,000 alumni worldwide. If they each teach for an average of 15 more years, these exceptional educators will reach over one million students.
Notable Moments in Teacher Exchange History
