The Fulbright Program is the flagship international academic exchange program sponsored by the United States Government. 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 five decades, Amideast has been placing students from across the MENA region into universities throughout the United States, providing support and assistance to students on the program and working with alumni.