The Fulbright Program is the flagship international academic exchange program sponsored by the United States Government. Led by the U.S. government in partnership with more than 160 countries worldwide, Fulbright offers life-changing international academic and cultural exchange opportunities to study, conduct research, and contribute to finding solutions to complex global challenges. Fulbright participants, who represent the best and brightest of U.S. society and of societies abroad, are chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential. The Fulbright Foreign Student Program supports graduate students, early career professionals, and researchers from abroad to research and study in the United States for one year or longer at U.S. universities or other educational institutions. Participants also experience life in the United States and share their unique culture and traditions with Americans. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and administered by Amideast in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, the Fulbright Foreign Student Program is a merit-based award that provides funding for graduate-level study at a U.S. university or college. For over four decades, Amideast has been supporting students from across the MENA region and placing them at universities throughout the United States. Amideast supports these participants throughout their program and once they become alumni of the Fulbright Program.