EF History

“Possibly the most splendid birthday present I have ever received” is the way President Eisenhower characterized Eisenhower Fellowships as it was presented to him on his first birthday in office in 1953.  Created as a unique international exchange program, the grantees were not to be students, but established professionals and potential leaders in their fields. 

A board of Trustees, representing a vast array of knowledge and with great prestige was recruited to oversee the program.  The presidents of IBM, B.F. Goodrich, Chairman of G.E., a governor, U.S. Cabinet Secretary, U.S. delegate to the U.N. and 7 university or college presidents were among the 55 member board at EF’s inception.

The EF charter included a few basic objectives:

• To help promote understanding between the U.S. and other nations and between other nations and the U.S.
• To give the best individually planned practical training to the individuals with the greatest potential selected from each nation in the field of the country’s greatest need.

EF was chartered as a non-profit corporation and board members agreed that operating funds would be raised each year.  Philadelphia became home to EF in 1956 when Chairman Thomas McCabe purchased a townhouse as a gift for the first permanent EF office. 

From a first year program of 16 Fellows and 14 countries (including the U.S.), the program grew to more than 60 Fellows per year with representation in 108 countries by 2008.  Some 1,700 had participated in the program by 2008.

Timeline of Eisenhower Fellowships Historical Highlights