Support Afghan students and Fulbrighters

Dear Fulbrighters and Fulbright supporters, 

On the heels of International Education Week and at the time when Fulbright Program celebrates its 75th anniversary, we want to advocate for Afghan students who are navigating intense challenges to education in one of the world’s most deprived countries. The affinity group Fulbright Salaam has compiled a list of tools, resources, and references to help those of us who reside outside of Afghanistan understand how we can support students and scholars in the country and Afghan Fulbrighters currently residing outside of the country. They include a template for a letter that can be sent to your Congressional representatives urging them to support the education of Afghan scholars in the United States and to support the evacuation, visa processing, and refugee system access for Afghan allies and populations. Also, the Institute of International Education has developed an Afghanistan Crisis Response that includes opportunities to donate to a fund designed to support Afghan university-age students, scholars, and artists that we encourage you to look into. 

In addition to checking out these resources, we are asking that you consider adding your name to this letter, which asks the US Department of State to reinstate the process of offering Fulbright grants to Afghan students and to make their involvement with international education and exchange possible once again. We will send the letter to the Fulbright team within the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. By signing this letter, please show your support for the future of this critical cultural exchange and educational program for Afghan students.  

Thanks very much for considering this request, 

Zohal Nasrat, Fulbright Scholar and Communication and Development Masters student

Christopher Lewis, Director of the Office for Nationally Competitive Awards