On February 26, Ambassador Georgette Mosbacher hosted a breakfast for the Executive Director and ten members of the Board of Directors of the Polish-U.S. Fulbright Commission. This meeting marked her first opportunity to engage with the group as the United States’ Honorary Chairman of the bilateral commission. The board included representatives from science, business, and Poland's Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
Ambassador Mosbacher highlighted the significance of the Fulbright program in positioning Poland as a leader in science, technology, and innovation. She praised Poland’s intellectual capabilities and commended the board for their strategic decision to enhance exchange opportunities in STEM fields—science, technology, engineering, and math.
The Ambassador expressed optimism that exchanges involving Polish researchers and scholars in America would continue to aid Poland in commercializing its innovative scientific ideas. She also congratulated the board on reaching the 60th anniversary of the Fulbright program in Poland, describing it as crucial for strengthening interpersonal connections now and in future generations.
The Fulbright Program is recognized globally as a prestigious international exchange initiative. Established by Senator J. William Fulbright in 1946, it aims to foster mutual understanding between people from the United States and other countries through academic, scientific, and cultural exchanges. To date, over 390,000 individuals from more than 160 countries have participated in this program. In Poland alone, nearly 3,000 participants have benefited since scholarships began there in 1959 due to joint financial support from both nations.
Fulbright alumni have made significant contributions across various fields such as government, arts and sciences, business philanthropy education athletics; worldwide they have earned numerous accolades including 60 Nobel Prizes 86 Pulitzer Prizes while serving prominently with roles like heads-of-state or government positions.
In recognition of its impact over six decades within Polish-American relations—the Polish-U.S.-Fulbright-Commission celebrates this milestone year with current funding exceeding $2 million annually provided equally by both contributing governments.