President Joseph R. Biden announced on Saturday that the Department of State has selected 29 Fulbright U.S. Students as Fulbright-John Lewis Civil Rights Fellows. In his remarks at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Phoenix Awards dinner, President Biden highlighted the significance of this new Fulbright opportunity for Americans. Established with the direction and support of the U.S. Congress, these fellowships honor the legacy of the late John Lewis, a civil rights leader and member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and aim to promote understanding of nonviolent civil rights movements in a global context.
The Fulbright-John Lewis Civil Rights Fellows represent a diverse array of backgrounds and academic disciplines from across the United States. During the 2024-25 academic year, fellows will conduct research in 23 countries on topics relevant to nonviolent civil rights movements. They will join a distinct community of Fulbrighters participating in specialized opportunities such as lecture series, leadership training, professional development activities, and a capstone seminar. These activities are designed to complement their Fulbright projects.
The fellowship supports the broader goal of the Fulbright Program to increase mutual understanding and foster friendly relations between people in the United States and other countries while also supporting democratic principles and civil rights globally.
For more information about the Fulbright-John Lewis Civil Rights Fellowship, visit www.fulbrightprogram.org/john-lewis.
For press inquiries, please contact the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at ECA-Press@state.gov.