Friday, September 03, 2004

USEFI gets more funds

The United States Educational Foundation in India (USEFI) recently announced a $710,000 increase in funding for Fulbright scholar exchanges to and from India.

For fiscal 2004, USEFI said it would send 19 more Indian Fulbright scholars to the US, bringing the total number to 81. USEFI will also fund 89 US scholars to India, in addition to 10 Fulbright Senior Specialists and 16 US teachers under the Fulbright-Hays Seminar Abroad Program.

Speaking at USEFI last month, US Ambassador to India, David Mulford, said the increase in funding is due to the growth in the relationship between the US and India and because exchanges in higher education have contributed greatly to both countries.

Until 2001, the USEFI received $ 1.35 million a year in appropriations. This year, the base appropriation has been increased by $ 250,000 to $ 1.6 million. In addition, a one-time fund of $ 460,000 has been allocated to USEFI.

USEFI is governed by a board of directors comprising five Indians appointed by India's Ministry of Human Resource Development, that is in charge of education, and five US citizens residing in India. It receives an annual appropriation from the US Congress and a rebate on taxes from India.


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