We urge Congress to:
Support $700.95 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 funding for State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) programs.
Congress should provide no less than the $700.95 million approved by the House Appropriations Committee last year on a bipartisan basis for vital ECA programs such as Fulbright, Gilman, Critical Language Scholarship, and IDEAS, to name a few. This represents an increase of nearly $34 million over FY26 funding. ECA programs have been core pillars of American foreign policy for decades. They are time-tested cost-effective programs that strengthen U.S. global leadership and provide domestic students with the skills they need to be successful in a competitive global economy.
- Urge the State Department to disburse FY25 and FY26 ECA funding as directed by Congress. Specifically:
Finalize FY25 funding for 22 ECA programs.
ECA programs have been plagued by the unpredictable release of appropriated funds over the past year. While funding for some programs, like Fulbright and Gilman, have been restored, there are 22 programs whose funding is still being held by ECA.
Expedite FY26 ECA program grants.
Congress allocated $667 million in FY26 for these programs, and Congress must ensure that the funding is spent as directed and without delay.
Support $85.7 million in FY27 funding for Education Department’s Title VI ($75.4 million) and Fulbright-Hays ($10.3 million) international education programs.
Congress should provide no less than the amount provided to these programs over the past three fiscal years (2023, 2024, 2025). This amount represents an increase of $5 million over FY2026 funding. The United States needs a globally competent workforce with the foreign language and cross-cultural skills required to lead in business, cybersecurity, international diplomacy, and research. These programs, distinct from State Department programs, ensure American students graduate with that expertise, especially in foreign languages and world areas that are strategically important to our national defense, diplomatic engagement, and global economic competitiveness.
Urge the Education Department to disburse FY25 and FY26 Title VI and Fulbright-Hays funding as directed by Congress.
Education Department layoffs last year, including the total elimination of staff at the Office of International and Foreign Language Education, along with the cancellation of FY25 appropriated funds by OMB have placed these programs under significant threat. Congress approved $80.7 million in funding for these programs as part of FY26 funding for the Education Department. In November 2025, the Education Department announced an interagency agreement that would move the administration of Title VI and Fulbright-Hays programs to the State Department. This agreement only places these programs further at risk.
NAFSA Contact:
Rachel Banks, Senior Director, Legislative Strategy and Public Policy
[email protected]