ALLIANCE COMMENTARY
Action Alert: Write Congress to oppose $70M rescission of Department of Education international funding
On September 24th, 2026, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) sent a legislative request asking Congress to rescind nearly $70 million in federally appropriated FY26 funds for Department of Education international education programs, known as Title VI. While these rescissions do not impact Department of State international exchange programs, rescinding these funds will have a significant negative impact on the United States’ ability to compete globally and prepare our students to succeed on the world stage.
Senate CR extends government funding through December 2026, halts rule revising Uniform Guidance
On Saturday, August 8, 2026, the Senate passed their version of a Continuing Resolution (CR). This resolution extends Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 government funding through December 11, avoiding a government shutdown at the end of the Fiscal Year on October 1. It does not, however, impact FY27 funding levels or language.
House passes FY27 funding bill, rejects amendment to eliminate Fulbright funding
Yesterday, the House approved the FY27 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP) appropriations bill, sending its funding proposal for the Department of State and exchange programs to the Senate in a major step forward for the appropriations process. The bill includes topline FY27 funding for educational and cultural exchange programs at $647 million and did not include an amendment that would have eliminated funding for the Fulbright Program.
House amendment to FY27 State Department appropriations bill seeks to eliminate funding for Fulbright Program
On June 17, 2026, Representative Lauren Boebert (R-CO, 4) introduced an amendment (Amendment 1 to HR 8595 (#110 (Boebert))) to the House Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) Department of State funding bill that seeks to eliminate funding for the Fulbright Program.
ECA’s Account Is Full: What Is Apportionment And Why It Matters To Exchanges
Apportionment is the practice by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of transparently making deposits into the accounts of federal agencies, which was codified into law in the FY22 appropriations bill. What does this practice mean for exchange funding?
Thirty-eight Senators sign letter supporting robust FY27 exchange funding and funding protections
On April 30, 2026, Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and thirty-seven fellow Senators sent a letter on behalf of educational and cultural exchange programs to the Subcommittee on the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Senate Committee on Appropriations leadership.
House appropriations subcommittee bill funds ECA at $647 million for FY27
In a rejection of the Administration’s recent budget request, the House National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP, formerly SFOPS) Subcommittee proposed funding the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) at $647 million.
President’s FY27 budget proposes 68% cut to Department of State exchange programs
Released last week, the PBR proposes funding the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) at $215 million for FY27, a 68% topline cut from the FY26 enacted level. The complementary Congressional Budget Justification (CBJ) provides further detail on how these cuts would be enacted, proposing the elimination of 15+ programs and slashing funding for countless more.
Exchange programs take center stage in Under Secretary Rogers’ first appearance before Congress since confirmation
Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers appeared before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on March 5, 2026, where lawmakers on both sides of the aisle brought U.S. Department of State international exchange programs to the forefront of their questioning and remarks.
National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Bill funds exchanges at $667 million for FY26
On Sunday, January 11, the House Appropriations Committee introduced the Financial Services and General Government and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026. This bill is the product of negotiations between House and Senate appropriators, and key to advancing full-year funding for FY26. The legislation provides $667 million for educational and cultural exchanges, a significant signal of Congress’ continued support for ECA exchange programs amid a broader environment of sweeping funding cuts.
October 2025: Potential Impact of a U.S. Government Shutdown on International Exchange Programs
As of 12:01 this morning (Wednesday, October 1), the U.S government fully shut down for the first time since 2019.
Where Things Stand: An Update on OMB Holds on ECA Funding
Last week, the Alliance for International Exchange learned that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) plans to cut $100 million in FY25 funding for at least 22 Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) international exchange programs.
OMB Moves to Cut FY25 Funding for at Least 22 ECA Programs
Yesterday, the Alliance for International Exchange learned that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) plans to cut FY25 awards for at least 22 Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) international exchange programs, which amounts to approximately $100 million in funding.
Potential FY26 Government Funding Scenarios
Over the last few weeks, Congress has gotten over two major hurdles that have an influence on FY26 appropriations negotiations and possible legislation: the passage of the Big Beautiful Bill, the work on which was sucking the air out of everything else on Capitol Hill, and the $9 billion rescissions package for foreign assistance programs and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. With these two markers in the rearview mirror, it’s a good time to game out some FY26 funding predictions.
House National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Subcommittee bill funds ECA at $700.95 million
The House National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (formerly SFOPS) Subcommittee released its FY26 appropriations bill, and the proposed topline funding amount for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is $700,946,000.
Action Alert: Tell Congress to reject President’s budget proposal and support funding for international exchange programs
The Alliance for International Exchange, on behalf of its more than 90 U.S.-based members who implement international exchange programs is launching a campaign to urge Members of Congress to reject the President’s FY26 budget proposal and support funding for international exchange programs.
President’s FY26 budget proposes to essentially eliminate State Department exchange programs
We expected it, but it’s still deeply disappointing to see. The President’s FY26 budget proposal would essentially eliminate State Department international exchange programs.
The Department of State Memo That Leaked: Let’s Talk About the Budget Process
This week in Washington began abuzz, first with rumors and speculation about a damaging memo possibly coming from the Department of State, and then real alarm when The Washington Post published a piece about a memo that was leaked to them proposing to slash the agency’s funding by nearly half, including the elimination of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). The coverage of this memo has been breathless and dire. We at the Alliance saw the full memo, and it is very concerning.
Advocacy Update: Exchange Funding Begins to Flow After Pause
As of Friday, March 28, Alliance members have received over 85% of outstanding State Department payments that had been withheld due to the ongoing funding freeze.
Action Alert: Urge Congress to Restore Vital International Exchange Funding
The Alliance for International Exchange, on behalf of its more than 90 U.S.-based members who implement international exchange programs, and in conjunction with NAFSA and the Forum on Education Abroad, is launching a campaign to urge Members of Congress to demand that the U.S. Department of State lift the freeze on international exchange funding.