The United States Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) sponsors the Fulbright Program under policy guidelines established by the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FSB) and in cooperation with binational Fulbright Commissions/Foundations and Public Affairs Sections of U.S. Embassies abroad.

As the administrative and executive arm of the Fulbright Program, the Bureau has fiscal responsibility for the preparation of an annual budget request to Congress and makes decisions on funding allocations to participating countries. Under policies established by the FSB, ECA also holds primary responsibility for the administration of the Program, together with the assistance of cooperating non-profit organizations. The Bureau's contribution to the Foreign Fulbright Student Program in 2008 was $67.8 million.

Within a U.S. Embassy abroad (the Post), exchange-program activities are the responsibility of a Public Affairs Officer (PAO) or a Cultural Affairs Officer (CAO). At least one of these officers is a member of the local Fulbright Binational Commission/Foundation and maintains liaison with the Commission/Foundation on policy and program matters on behalf of the ECA. In countries without a Commission/Foundation, the PAO or CAO administers the educational exchange program.