The Fulbright Program was established in 1946 under legislation introduced by former Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas. Senator Fulbright’s vision was to use the military surplus of World War II to fund international educational and cultural exchanges for students and scholars.
The Fulbright Act of 1946, signed by President Harry Truman, established the Fulbright Program worldwide. The Fulbright Program is administered by the U. S. State Department , with the assistance of Binational Commissions and Foundations, in 51 countries and through the US Embassies services around the world, in a total of more than 140 countries.

The Fulbright Program is implemented under policies and guidelines established by the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, which consists of 12 members appointed by the President of the United States.
Day-to-day supervision of the program is provided by the following organizations, all contracted by the U.S. State Department:

	Institute of International Education (IIE). Assists Fulbright Commissions and U.S. Embassies in the administration of the Fulbright Student Program.
	Council for International Exchange of Scholars Affiliated with the IIE, assists Fulbright Commissions and U.S. Embassies in the administration of the Fulbright Scholar Program.