Peter Hefele is Policy Director at WMCES. Shreekant Gupta was Visiting Fellow at WMCES and is a former Fulbright Fellow at MIT.
Once a global leader in science and technology, Europe never fully recovered from the 1930s exodus of its intellectual elite. The rise of the United States as an intellectual superpower was shaped by its ability to welcome thousands of brilliant minds, many from Europe.
But with recent shifts in US immigration policy and its “America First” agenda, this legacy is under threat. Is the US now repeating past mistakes – undermining the very foundation of its economic and intellectual leadership? And as the US loses its appeal, can Europe seize this moment to attract global talent?
Despite years of debate within the EU about attracting talent, progress has been limited. Bureaucracy, inconsistent visa procedures, a lack of harmonisation, and language obstacles have diminished its attractiveness. The real bottleneck for competitiveness in the EU is not only funding but creating an environment that makes Europe the destination for talented, aspiring minds from Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Beyond the systemic reforms needed to achieve this, Europe must also establish an education-based initiative to attract talent and foster mutual understanding through exchange.
Such a model already exists: look no further than the US Fulbright Programme – founded in 1946 and named after Senator William Fulbright – which has enabled educational and cultural exchanges for nearly 400,000 people from over 160 countries to the US. Fulbright alumni include Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and heads of state, and the programme has served as a successful instrument of US soft power.
The return on investment is substantial. At a modest cost (about €30–35,000 per scholar), the Fulbright Programme has generated long-term goodwill and global influence, as US Fulbrighters often develop strong ties to the country and remain lifelong ambassadors.
However, recent developments under the Trump administration – such as a funding freeze and political interference in academic institutions – have cast a shadow over the programme. The Fulbright Board’s mass resignation in mid-2025 signalled serious concern about the future of educational diplomacy in the US.
This presents a unique opportunity for the EU. As the US withdraws from this global leadership role, the EU could step forward with its own initiative: a European Fulbright Programme (EFP). This could be a centrally managed scholarship scheme that complements national and EU-level programmes like Erasmus Mundus.
Based on the straightforward Fulbright model, students would apply to universities of their choice and, if admitted, receive funding for tuition, travel, and living costs. A key innovation would be the provision of a unified EU student visa – similar to the US J-type visa – enabling smooth mobility for exchange scholars.
Rather than copying Fulbright in full, the EFP could be adapted to Europe’s strengths. One promising feature would be the inclusion of vocational training, which reflects the continent’s tradition of craftsmanship and technical education. Additionally, the EFP could incorporate a “return home” requirement, as Fulbright does, to address immigration concerns and incentivise circular migration.
Another enhancement could draw on the example of the UN Fulbright Fellowship, introduced under former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. That initiative extended Fulbright scholars’ experience through internships with UN offices. A similar add-on could be designed for EFP scholars, offering placements at EU institutions such as the European Commission or Parliament.
While exact data is scarce, an estimated 50,000–100,000 Fulbright alumni live across the EU today, including EU Commissioners, Members of Parliament, academics, and professionals. Their influence underscores the programme’s long-term impact. A European version could similarly build a powerful alumni network that fosters transnational goodwill and deepens global engagement with Europe – and enhances Europe’s cultural power.
As countries like Australia, Canada, and New Zealand open up to foreign students, the EU must act swiftly. The window of opportunity is narrow, and global competition for talent is intensifying.
To quote Senator Fulbright: “Educational exchange can turn nations into people, contributing as no other form of communication can to the humanising of international relations.”
The time is right. Europe must act now – and boldly.
