Fulbright Germany
Fulbright Germany (Deutsch-Amerikanische Fulbright-Kommission) is a Berlin-based binational nonprofit founded in 1952 that facilitates academic exchange between Germany and the United States, operating roughly 20 scholarship programs that award up to 700 grants annually to students, researchers, and professionals, with funding from German and US governments.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1952
- HeadquartersBerlin, Germany
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Fulbright Germany does
Fulbright Germany (legally: Deutsch-Amerikanische Fulbright-Kommission) is a binational nonprofit academic exchange commission established in 1952, jointly supported by the German Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space (BMBFTR) and the US Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The organization facilitates transatlantic exchange between Germany and the United States through a portfolio of approximately 20 scholarship and professional development programs, awarding up to 700 grants annually to German and American students, doctoral candidates, researchers, faculty, teachers, and higher education administrators. Programs include the Studienstipendium (Master's-level study scholarships of $13,800 for 4 months or $31,000 for 9 months), the Doktorand:innenprogramm, Fulbright-Cottrell Awards for early-career scientists, Foreign Language Assistant placements at US liberal arts colleges, four thematic summer study programs (Leaders in Entrepreneurship, Discover the USA, Intercultural Communication, A Culture of Sustainability), and the newly launched Transatlantic Diplomacy Program (TAD) for future diplomats starting Summer 2027. Selection is conducted through multi-stage formal review, paper-based pre-selection, and online interviews via the Fulbright-Portal application system.
The organization is not a technology company and does not develop proprietary software products. Its digital infrastructure consists of a standard scholarship application portal (Fulbright-Portal, powered by MindAClient), the public fulbright.de website with YouTube video integration, ReadSpeaker text-to-speech for accessibility, and Google Maps location services. Beyond this, its core 'platform' is institutional: a network of 50+ US partner universities offering tuition waivers, German university International Offices serving as recruitment channels, and the Pädagogischer Austauschdienst (PAD) for teacher-program distribution.
The business model is non-commercial: Fulbright Germany operates as a public-private partnership funded primarily by bilateral government appropriations, supplemented by voluntary donations through the Verein der Freunde und Förderer (VFF, Friends and Supporters Association). Revenue streams include core government funding (BMBFTR, US Department of State), program-specific funding from the German Federal Foreign Office (notably for TAD), and individual/alumni donations. Scholarships are grants disbursed to recipients rather than fees charged to customers. Fulbright Germany is governed by a binational board co-chaired by Anke Reiffenstuel (Germany) and Scott Weinhold (US), with approximately 90 employees based at its Berlin-Mitte headquarters at Charlottenstraße 65 (relocated May 2026 from Lützowufer). Since inception, the organization has supported more than 46,000 German and American participants as part of the broader global Fulbright network of 400,000+ alumni spanning 160+ countries.
Fulbright Germany firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Fulbright Germany
- Legal name
- Deutsch-Amerikanische Fulbright-Kommission
- Website
- https://fulbright.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1952
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Fulbright Germany (Deutsch-Amerikanische Fulbright-Kommission) is a Berlin-based binational nonprofit founded in 1952 that facilitates academic exchange between Germany and the United States, operating roughly 20 scholarship programs that award up to 700 grants annually to students, researchers, and professionals, with funding from German and US governments.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Fulbright Germany industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Educational Exchange Services
- NAICS
- Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219), International Affairs (92812)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), International Affairs (9721)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Government-Sponsored Scholarships & Exchange Funding (EDAIAOAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Erasmus+ and Government-Sponsored Exchange Partnerships (EDAIABAJ), University/Institutional Scholarships & Tuition Waivers (EDAIAOAG), Research Grants, Fellowships & Stipends (International) (EDAIAOAJ), Mobility Grants & Short-Term Study/Travel Awards (EDAIAOAK)
Keywords
Where Fulbright Germany is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Berlin
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Fulbright Germany business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Government Funding: Primary funding from German government (Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt - BMBFTR) and US government through the Fulbright program framework. Funding supports scholarship operations, program administration, and partner university collaborations.
- Donations and Support: Voluntary donations through the Verein der Freunde und Förderer (VFF) - the Friends and Supporters Association. Alumni and supporters contribute financially to enhance scholarship offerings.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Study Scholarship (Studienstipendium) - 4 months |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Study Scholarship (Studienstipendium) - 9 months |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Transatlantic Diplomacy Program (TAD) - 1 semester |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Transatlantic Diplomacy Program (TAD) - 2 semesters |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Fulbright-Cottrell Award |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels9 records
Fulbright Germany product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Fulbright Germany (Deutsch-Amerikanische Fulbright-Kommission) administers approximately 20 scholarship and professional exchange programs that fund transatlantic academic mobility between Germany and the United States. Programs include Master's-level study scholarships, doctoral research stays, research and teaching fellowships, foreign language assistantships, summer study programs, and professional development seminars for teachers and university administrators. The organization also operates a global alumni community connecting more than 46,000 German and American Fulbrighters.
Product overview
Fulbright Germany (Deutsch-Amerikanische Fulbright-Kommission) is a binational academic exchange organization that facilitates transatlantic dialogue between the USA and Germany. Rather than a technology product company, it operates a portfolio of scholarship and professional exchange programs. The core offering consists of 20 distinct programs including: (1) Study scholarships (Studienstipendium) for Master's-level study in the USA with Free Mover and Network University options; (2) Doctoral programs for research stays; (3) Research & Teaching programs for scholars; (4) Foreign Language Assistant programs placing German teaching assistants at US colleges; (5) Fulbright-Cottrell Award for outstanding junior scientists; (6) Four summer study programs (Leaders in Entrepreneurship, Discover the USA, Intercultural Communication, A Culture of Sustainability); (7) Professional development seminars for teachers and higher education administrators; (8) Travel scholarships; (9) the new Transatlantic Diplomacy Program (TAD) for international politics Master's students; and (10) a global Alumni Network connecting over 46,000 German and American Fulbright alumni. Programs are delivered through the Fulbright-Portal application system, with annual capacity of up to 700 scholarships.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Studienstipendium (Study Scholarship) Scholarship program supporting one- to two-semester Master's-level study visits to the USA for German university and HAW students, including tuition fee coverage at partner universities, J-1 visa sponsorship, health insurance, preparation seminars, and Fulbright network membership.
- Doktorand:innenprogramm (Doctoral Program) Doctoral program supporting research stays in the USA for doctoral candidates from German universities and universities of applied sciences.
- Forschung & Lehre (Research and Teaching Program) Research and teaching program for scholars to conduct research or teach at US universities and institutions.
- Programm für Fremdsprachenassistent:innen (Foreign Language Assistant Program) German Language Teaching Assistant program placing advanced English/American Studies students as teaching assistants at US liberal arts colleges for nine months, with 15-20 hours per week teaching obligation and tuition-free enrollment in academic courses.
- Fulbright-Cottrell Award
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 46,000 Germans and Americans supported since 1952
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Fulbright Germany
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Fulbright Germany technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Fulbright Germany partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.
- Transatlantic Diplomacy Program Partner Universities (Germany)coreTAD pilot phase collaboration with 5 German universities: Universität Duisburg-Essen, Willy Brandt School of Public Policy at Universität Erfurt, Hertie School Berlin, Technische Universität Dresden, and Universität Trier. These institutions both receive and send students for the joint Master's program in international politics and diplomacy.
- Transatlantic Diplomacy Program Partner Universities (USA)coreTAD pilot phase collaboration with 4 US universities: George Washington University – Elliott School of International Affairs, University of Denver – Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs, University of Pittsburgh – School of Public and International Affairs, and University of Washington Seattle – Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies and Evans School of Public Policy and Governance. Partner universities provide tuition waivers.
- University of KentuckycoreCooperation with University of Kentucky for the Seminar for German Administrators in International Education (GAIE). The one-week professional development program focuses on 'Student Support and Services in International Education' and includes lectures, workshops, and campus visits.
- Ohio State UniversitycoreCooperation with Ohio State University for the 'Innovation in the Classroom' professional development seminar for German teachers. The program offers innovative pedagogical concepts and methods from the US school system.
- Pädagogischer Austauschdienst (PAD)corePAD (Pedagogical Exchange Service) works with the Kultusministerkonferenz to distribute information about the Foreign Language Assistant program and handles joint application processes with Fulbright Germany.
- Fulbright Alumni e.V.coreThe German Fulbright alumni association supports over 7,000 alumni with mentor programs, regular local and national events, FRANKly Magazine, and the Fulbright PULSE Podcast. The association strengthens intercultural contacts and supports networking between international scientists, experts, and activists on future-relevant topics.
- Verein der Freunde und Förderer (VFF)coreThe Friends and Supporters Association promotes the Fulbright Program in Germany, provides additional financial resources for scholarships, supports visibility, helps recruit new target groups, and improves opportunities for underrepresented candidates in transatlantic exchange.
- US-Botschaft Berlin (US Embassy Berlin)coreThe US Embassy in Berlin hosts Fulbright events including the Impact Lunch at the JFK Forum and supports visa processing for J-1 exchange visitors. Board Co-Chair Scott Weinhold serves as Minister-Counselor for Public Affairs at the embassy.
- HWR Berlin, BHT Berlin, TU Berlin, FU BerlinsecondaryGerman universities hosting campus visits for US Administrators Seminar, providing firsthand perspectives on internationalization strategies, institutional priorities, and innovative research projects.
- TU Ilmenau, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Hochschule AnhaltsecondaryThree German universities hosted subgroups during the second week of the US Administrators Seminar, offering unique insights into their internationalization strategies, campus life, and research projects in smaller group settings.
- Fulbright Scholar Program / Institute of International Education (IIE)coreIIE manages the Fulbright Scholar Program and processes applications for the US Administrators in International Education seminar. The global Fulbrighter Network platform is operated to connect alumni worldwide.
- Fulbright US Network Universitiescore50+ US universities participate in the Fulbright network, providing tuition fee reductions or waivers for Fulbright scholarship recipients. Partner universities include Florida Polytechnic University, California State University, George Mason University, Rutgers University, and many others.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Fulbright Germany competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Alexander von Humboldt Foundation: German government-funded foundation sponsoring international academic cooperation and researcher mobility. Humboldt is highly comparable to Fulbright Germany's research and senior scholar programs, particularly the Cottrell Award track.
- DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst): Germany's primary publicly-funded academic exchange organization. DAAD is the closest direct peer to Fulbright Germany, both administering scholarships and academic mobility programs for German students and researchers, with comparable scale and government backing.
- Fulbright UK: The US-UK Fulbright Commission, structurally identical to Fulbright Germany as a bilateral academic exchange organization between the UK and the US. Comparable governance, scholarship portfolio, and alumni network operations.
- Institute of International Education (IIE): IIE administers the US Fulbright Scholar Program globally and manages the Fulbrighter Network platform. It is the operational backbone and most natural direct peer for Fulbright Germany as a bilateral commission counterpart.
- Fulbright France: French-American Fulbright Commission, sister bilateral commission under the same global Fulbright framework. Operates analogous scholarship and exchange programs between France and the US with comparable programs, governance, and funding model.
Emerging players
- German Research Foundation (DFG): Germany's central research funding organization, complementary to Fulbright Germany's scholar programs (Forschung & Lehre). Both fund researcher mobility but DFG is much broader in scope including domestic research.
Broad incumbents
- British Council: UK government-affiliated organization promoting educational exchange and cultural relations globally. Comparable mission (academic/cultural exchange) and government funding model but much broader scope (not bilateral/single-country focused).
- Rhodes Trust / Rhodes Scholarships: One of the world's most prestigious international postgraduate scholarship programs with similar alumni-network-driven model and bilateral orientation (US/UK and others). Comparable brand prestige and scholar caliber, though endowment-funded rather than government-funded.
- Chevening Scholarships (UK Foreign Office): UK government-funded international scholarship program. Comparable to Fulbright Germany in being a government-funded bilateral scholarship scheme with high selectivity and global alumni prestige, though with different source country structure.
Others
- Erasmus+ (European Commission): EU's flagship academic exchange program. Thematically adjacent to Fulbright Germany's mobility mission but pan-European and intra-EU rather than bilateral with the US; overlapping with Fulbright Germany as a key funding alternative for European academic mobility.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Fulbright Germany social profiles
Digital presenceFulbright Germany financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Fulbright Germany leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Fulbright Germany funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Fulbright Germany M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about Fulbright Germany
What does Fulbright Germany do?
Fulbright Germany (Deutsch-Amerikanische Fulbright-Kommission) administers approximately 20 scholarship and professional exchange programs that fund transatlantic academic mobility between Germany and the United States. Programs include Master's-level study scholarships, doctoral research stays, research and teaching fellowships, foreign language assistantships, summer study programs, and professional development seminars for teachers and university administrators. The organization also operates a global alumni community connecting more than 46,000 German and American Fulbrighters.
Is Fulbright Germany a public or private company?
Fulbright Germany is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Fulbright Germany founded?
Fulbright Germany was founded in 1952. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Fulbright Germany based?
Fulbright Germany is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Fulbright Germany make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Government Funding is the primary driver. The others are donations and Support.
Who are Fulbright Germany's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst), Fulbright UK, Institute of International Education (IIE) and Fulbright France. German Research Foundation (DFG) is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are British Council, Rhodes Trust / Rhodes Scholarships and Chevening Scholarships (UK Foreign Office). Erasmus+ (European Commission) is listed as an others.
Does Fulbright Germany have an API?
No public API is recorded for Fulbright Germany.
What industry is Fulbright Germany in?
Fulbright Germany's product category is Educational Exchange Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAIAOAF, Government-Sponsored Scholarships & Exchange Funding, with a secondary code of EDAIABAJ, Erasmus+ and Government-Sponsored Exchange Partnerships. Its NAICS code is 81321 and its SIC code is 8200.