US cancels Fulbright Program, citing inability to provide safe exchange experience

The US State Department has announced the suspension of its prestigious Fulbright Foreign Student Program in Afghanistan.

A State Department official told ABC News the decision was delivered to 140 semi-finalists who had been chosen last year but left in limbo following the chaotic withdrawal of US troops in August.

“Due to significant barriers impeding our ability to provide a safe exchange experience, the selection process for the Fulbright Foreign Student Program in Afghanistan for the 2022-23 academic year will not move forward,” a State Department official told ABC News.

“We recognize the significant time and effort that the current applicants have invested and understand that this decision brings disappointment,” h said.

According to ABC News, the program has been suspended for the foreseeable future.

“At this time, we are not proceeding with or accepting applications for the Fulbright Program in Afghanistan. Should conditions change such that we can again support Fulbright opportunities for Afghan students, we will again invite applications for the program,” the official added.

While the program will continue for the more than 100 Fulbright students from Afghanistan who are currently studying in the US, the official did not provide details on their return to their country.

The Fulbright Program was established in 1946 with a goal of international relationship building by offering both grants to US citizens to study or teach abroad and to non-US citizens to study in the United States.