International Fulbright Alumni
Development Project

A joint project of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Fulbright Association, the will project 1) support the formation of new Fulbright alumni organizations in targeted countries—in most cases, countries without Fulbright Commissions or Foundations (please see, below, a list of targeted countries) and 2) help existing and forming associations improve operations.  Specifically, the project will strengthen Fulbright alumni organizations’ capacity to 1) support Fulbright Program goals; 2) serve alumni and current Fulbright grantees; and 3) increase knowledge sharing and relationship building among Fulbright alumni organizations internationally.  

Project Deliverables

The project will result in three products:

1) Global Fulbright Technical Assistance Seminar in Marrakech, Morocco, Nov. 4, 2006

The U.S. Fulbright Association in conjunction with the State Department ran a capacity building seminar for Fulbright alumni from around the world in conjunction with its 29th annual conference and the 2006 annual conference of the Moroccan Fulbright Alumni Association.

View Technical Assistance Seminar Manual  

2) A Fulbright Alumni Best Practices Manual prepared in consultation with an International Advisory Board and the U.S. Department of State to be distributed electronically.  The manual will present information on best practices in the following areas:  Advocacy for Fulbright Exchanges; Alumni Association Governance; Association Programs; Membership/Participation in Association; Community Service; Association Capacity Building; Resource Development for Association; Recruitment & Outreach for Fulbright Program, as well as other areas to be identified within the global Fulbright alumni network.

 View Best Practices from Around the World

3) Focused Country Peer-Assist Projects

Key U.S. Association volunteers and/or staff will develop relationships with the alumni in targeted countries.  The process will involve matching representatives from the partner alumni organization with U.S. Association board members, chapter leaders and staff whose skills and experiences with NGOs/PVOs match the needs of the targeted associations.  We expect some liaisons will have the opportunity to meet with international representatives in person.  They will also develop electronic relationships.  The peer-assist partners will isolate a specific organizational development objective to work on, and the U.S. representative will provide ideas, materials and ongoing support.  The U.S. representative will also make recommendations on how the results of the project may benefit the U.S. Association and other associations abroad.  U.S. Fulbright Association volunteers (including national board members, chapter leaders and others) who travel frequently and have knowledge of the culture, current affairs and other aspects of the targeted country will be enlisted and trained, along with U.S. Fulbright Association staff, to carry out this component.  Volunteers will contribute travel expenses and per diem while they are in the targeted country. 

Targeted Countries