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. 13 of these programs are implemented by members of the Alliance, totaling more than $85 million in funding.  

If we allow OMB to cut these Congressionally appropriated FY25 awards, it will give them license to do it again and again, effectively eliminating international exchange programs. 

Without these funds, ECA faces an existential crisis, threatening all current and future exchange programs. This action risks establishing a precedent that undermines Congressional authority, paving the way for OMB to effectively eliminate international exchange programs. 

Revoking the FY25 funding for these programs will greatly damage 75+ years of exchange activity and the legacy of Senator Fulbright. It would destroy many of our programs and our work. Below is a list of the programs OMB is proposing to cut: 

• Community College Administrator Program (CCAP) 

• Community College Initiative Program (CCI) 

• Community Engagement Exchange (CEE, Leahy Initiative on Civil Society) 

• Council of American Overseas Research Centers 

• English Access Scholarship Program 

• English Language Fellow Program 

• Global Undergraduate Exchange Program 

• IDEAS Program 

• International Center for Middle Eastern-Western Dialogue (Hollings Center) 

• Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) and YES Abroad Program 

• Leaders Lead On-Demand 

• Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders 

• Mike Mansfield Fellowship Program 

• National Clearinghouse for Disability and Exchange (NCDE) 

• Professional Fellows Program 

• Survey of International Educational Exchange Activity (IEEA) in the United States 

• TechWomen 

• The J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative 

• U.S. Congress-Korea National Assembly Exchange Program 

• U.S.-South Pacific Scholarship Program (USSP) 

• Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Academic Fellowship 

• Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Professional Fellowship Program (PFP) 

If OMB cuts these programs and this funding now, it could set a precedent for acting without accountability, and there is a risk of: 

• Destroying 75+ years of international exchange programming, as well as Senator Fulbright’s legacy and vision for spreading American influence and values around the world. 

• Eliminating the majority of international exchange programs that enable more than 55,000 students, scholars, and professionals to participate each year, including 15,000 Americans traveling abroad.  

• Stranding 7,500+ American high school and college students and professionals who are currently abroad on ECA programs. Eliminating ECA funding for FY25 immediately puts them at risk of not receiving the critical support they require. 

• Endangering the livelihoods of 8,000+ Americans who work for U.S.-based ECA-partner organizations.  

• Significantly diminishing the prosperity of American host businesses, organizations, and schools that benefit from the presence of exchange participants. 

• Forfeiting billions of dollars to the American economy every year that are generated by international exchange programs. 

ECA international exchange programs make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous, a fact long recognized through strong bipartisan support for exchange program funding in the House and Senate. Just last month, the House FY26 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs bill proposed funding ECA at $700 million. 

The Alliance is working closely with our members and partners to communicate just how detrimental this is to the United States. It is imperative that Members of Congress contact OMB Director Vought and urge him to release the Congressionally authorized and appropriated funds for these essential and time-honored exchange programs. 

Join us by: 

• Emailing and Calling your Members of Congress 

• Sharing this call to action with your communities and networks 

Thank you for standing up for exchanges.