To celebrate Freedom 250 and Fulbright’s 80th anniversary in countries around the world, Fulbright bi-national commissions, U.S. Embassies, and Fulbright partners are hosting events which celebrate the impact of the Fulbright Program and American excellence and innovation at U.S. Embassies, American Corners, universities, and public venues. These unique opportunities offer American Fulbrighters and Fulbright alumni a chance to engage in special programming with officials, experts, and others during this dual anniversary year.
Deputy Assistant Secretary Victoria Roberts Opens Anniversary Year in Paris
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Deputy Assistant Secretary Victoria Roberts welcomed the Executive Directors of 23 European Fulbright Commissions and provided remarks at the Franco-American Fulbright Commission’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States and the 80th anniversary of the Fulbright Program. The event brought together approximately 100 participants, including university partners and distinguished alumni of the U.S.-France Fulbright program. To mark the occasion, two U.S. Fulbright student musicians performed during the reception.
Freedom 250 Alumni Conference in Egypt
The Binational Fulbright Commission in Egypt marked Freedom 250 by convening a regional alumni conference on “Education, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship in the Age of AI” in partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, the U.S. Department of State, and Amideast. Bringing together Fulbright alumni from 11 countries across the Middle East and North Africa, the conference showcased how Fulbrighters are advancing research, entrepreneurship, and innovation in partnership with the United States to achieve prosperity.
Alumni and Partnerships in Chile
U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Richard Yoneoka welcomed 250 alumni to a special Freedom 250 reception at the U.S. Ambassador’s residence in Santiago. The event celebrated Fulbright’s role in strengthening U.S.-Chile ties and highlighted new agreements to support Antarctic research with the Chilean Antarctic Institute and critical minerals research with the National Institute of Lithium and Salars (INLiSa). The reception launched the Fulbright Chile Alumni Association, connecting Chilean leaders across academia, government, and industry.
Brazil Celebrates Fulbright’s Enduring U.S. Partnership
The Fulbright Commission in Brazil hosted anniversary celebrations in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Brasília, bringing together scholars, alumni, and government officials. U.S. Consul Generals Kevin T. Murakami and Ryan Rowlands and Chargé d’Affaires Gabriel Escobar hosted events at their official residences, demonstrating strong support for educational exchange. Fulbrighters and alumni took part in a photo contest to highlight the program’s lasting impact on U.S.-Brazil relations.
Celebrating Fulbright’s Legacy in the Czech Republic
The Fulbright Commission and U.S. Embassy Prague hosted a gathering at the U.S. Ambassador’s residence to celebrate 35 years of Fulbright in the Czech Republic, the Program’s 80th anniversary worldwide, and the 250th anniversary of the United States. Ambassador Nicholas Merrick and Czech Ministry of Education officials joined with Fulbright Board members to reflect on Fulbright’s enduring contributions to achievement and excellence.
Tunisia Alumni Harness SI for Regional Innovation
The U.S. Embassy in Tunisia gathered 40 Fulbright Foreign Student Program alumni from Tunisia and Libya for a two-day Super Intelligence Impact Accelerator with U.S. Ambassador Bill Bazzi. At the conference, “AI Across Disciplines: Advancing Innovation, Collaboration, and Global Impact,” participants explored U.S. approaches and best practices, connected with potential American collaborators, and developed ideas for collaborative projects to benefit Tunisia, Libya, and North Africa.
Tajikistan ETAs Bring American Civics to Life
Fulbright English Teaching Assistants (ETAs) led Freedom 250-themed workshops at Dushanbe’s leading educational institutions, in partnership with American Space Dushanbe. Through interactive presentations and a quiz, they introduced students to core American democratic principles and the structure of the U.S. government. The initiatives expanded access to U.S. academic resources and encouraged deeper understanding of American governance among future leaders.
Fulbright Scholar Brings Founding Principles to Romania
Fulbright U.S. Scholar to Romania Erika Baldt of Rowan College in New Jersey led an interactive workshop on the Declaration of Independence at the American Corner in Constanța. Students and educators from across Romania joined in exploring the document’s historical context and reinterpreting key passages in contemporary language, encouraging reflection on the liberty, equality, and self-government that continue to inspire civic dialogue.
Inaugural Fulbright Gathering Launches in the Republic of Korea
Fulbright Korea launched an annual Fulbright Gathering to commemorate Freedom 250 and celebrate the role of the United States in shaping democracy in the Republic of Korea. James Heller, Charge d’Affaires ad Interim of the U.S. Embassy in Seoul and Jina Kim, and Second Vice Minister of the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spoke at the 200-person event, emphasizing the importance of Fulbright to the audience of grantees, alumni, and representatives of the U.S. and ROK governments.
Freedom 250 English Teaching Assistant Seminar in Senegal
The U.S. Embassy Dakar and the West African Research Center convened 29 U.S. Fulbright English Teaching Assistants (ETAs) from the 11 Sub-Saharan African countries where they are teaching. Seminar topics highlighted American excellence, ranging from American English Teaching Strategies to AI and English Language Learning to Workforce Development Activities for visitors to American Spaces. At the U.S. Embassy, they met with Chargé d’Affaires Jennifer Davis Paguada and reviewed tools to help them teach about American history and Freedom 250 themes such as America’s Founding Fathers in Africa.
Freedom 250 Seminar Celebrates America’s Ties with Greece
The Fulbright Commission in Greece hosted over 40 U.S. Fulbrighters in Athens for a seminar to celebrate America’s Independence and discuss its historic ties and democratic bonds with Greece. English Teaching Assistants (ETAs) and Fulbright U.S. Student Researchers assigned to 11 European countries took part, and two current U.S. Scholars presented on topics such as the legacy and continuing relevance of the U.S. Constitution. Fulbrighters visited historic sites such as the Panathenaic Stadium in Greece, site of the first modern Olympic Games.
Freedom 250 Fulbright Debates in Switzerland
The Freedom 250 Fulbright Debate Competition showcased the talents of students from across Switzerland who were mentored by American Fulbright English Teaching Assistants (ETAs). U.S. Ambassador Callista Gingrich congratulated the winners and the Fulbright mentors, demonstrating the U.S. Embassy’s support for educational exchange and freedom of expression and celebrating the partnership between the United States and Switzerland.
Orientation Days and Impact in Germany
Fulbright Germany brought together more than 250 participants, alumni, and community leaders to help orient new Fulbright arrivals to Germany and kick off Freedom 250. U.S. Embassy in Berlin hosted an “Impact Lunch” where German leaders in business, entrepreneurship, and innovation exchanged ideas with Fulbrighters and guests from the U.S. Department of State. The events highlighted the lasting impact of Fulbright across sectors.
Honoring Shared Values in Ukraine
Fulbright Ukraine and the Institute of International Education Kyiv Office welcomed more than 100 alumni, partners, and friends to the Museum of Books and Printing of Ukraine in Kyiv to commemorate Freedom 250 and Fulbright’s 80th anniversary. Guests enjoyed a private tour of the museum’s collection and the special exhibition American Philanthropists and the World’s Museums. The gathering reflected the importance of freedom, education, and democratic values in the longstanding relationship between Ukraine and the United States.
Honoring Educational Exchange and Public Service in Ireland
Fulbright Ireland held a ceremony in Dublin’s Iveagh House with U.S. Ambassador Edward S. Walsh. The event recognized 19 outstanding Irish awardees and presented the 2026 Fulbright Ireland Public Service Award. The awardees represent many fields, including health and technology, Irish language, heritage, and the arts; they will contribute their expertise and shared commitment to Irish-American relationships across U.S. institutions.
Freedom 250 and Fulbright 80 Gala and Exhibit in Japan
The Japan-U.S. Educational Commission hosted a reception commemorating these two milestone anniversaries, highlighting Fulbright’s role as the prominent learning path for Japan’s leading experts on the United States and demonstrating sustained people-to-people ties that strengthen bilateral relations. Guests included Japanese and American alumni from Fulbright’s eight decades, current American participants, U.S. and Japanese government representatives.
Freedom 250 in Hungary
The America 250 International Conference convened students and scholars with international partners from University of New Hampshire to examine America’s legacy and future. The conference focused on three pillars: the enduring global impact of America’s founding documents; an analysis of America’s modern Constitutional landscape; and the diplomatic, cultural, and historical ties between the United States and Hungary.
American History in Slovakia
Fulbright U.S. Scholar Dr. Jonathan Chilcote from Florida College delivered a lecture on American history. He offered a compelling perspective, connecting the legacy of the Declaration of Independence to key moments that shaped both the United States and the wider world. Fulbright Slovakia observed that his talk resonated strongly with Slovak students and led to a lively discussion.
Freedom 250 Forum in Portugal
The Fulbright Commission in Portugal hosted the Freedom 250 Fulbright Forum at Teatro Thalia in Lisbon, with speakers including U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Douglas A. Koneff. Under the theme “Our American Story,” U.S. and Portuguese Fulbrighters demonstrated how the American spirit of curiosity, courage, and connection travels far beyond U.S. borders and leaves a lasting mark on the world.
U.S.-Philippines Freedom 250 Lectures
Fulbright Philippines is taking part in the Freedom 250 Lecture Series at Holy Cross of Davao College to reflect on what 80 years of U.S.-Philippines relations has built. Facilitated by U.S. Fulbrighters and local Fulbright alumni, the Freedom 250 Lectures celebrate two extraordinary milestones, the Fulbright Program’s 80th anniversary worldwide and the 250th anniversary of the United States.
American Fulbrighters Advance Innovation in Turkmenistan
Fulbright supports prosperity, mutual progress, and global innovation by sharing American expertise with Turkmenistan’s citizens. In May, the U.S. Embassy in Ashgabat hosted three Fulbright Specialists who highlighted the 250-year legacy of U.S. ingenuity, freedom, and excellence. Dr. Ronda Shrader led workshops on strengthening start-up ecosystems, Sam Davis introduced university students and technology hubs to American SI technologies, and Dr. Ans Irfan trained English teachers to be mentors.
Kosovo Celebrates Fulbright’s Impact and Partnership
Four American English Teaching Assistants (ETAs) promoted American excellence and the appreciation of American history and culture, reaching over 400 Maltese students in five public schools across Malta and Gozo. They taught lessons on American history, geography, and sports, and incorporated the Embassy’s Freedom 250 video on commercial ties between the United States and Malta, highlighting the global influence of American athletic industries and culture.
ETAs Promote American Excellence and Freedom 250 in Malta
Four American English Teaching Assistants (ETAs) promoted American excellence and the appreciation of American history and culture, reaching over 400 Maltese students in five public schools across Malta and Gozo. They taught lessons on American history, geography, and sports, and incorporated the Embassy’s Freedom 250 video on commercial ties between the United States and Malta, highlighting the global influence of American athletic industries and culture.
Celebrating Freedom 250 with Love Letters to America
Austrian Fulbright alumnus Franz Heidinger paid tribute to America’s 250th anniversary inspired by his 1986–87 Fulbright year at the University of Virginia School of Law. Now a prominent attorney, lecturer, legal-language expert, Heidinger published The Semiquincentennial – 25 (Love) Letters to the United States Declaration of Independence. Through reflections on American history, the work illustrates the lasting influence of his Fulbright and American legal traditions.