Program History and Purpose: Designed to afford Arab citizens of Israel a greater opportunity to pursue graduate education in the United States,the Israeli-Arab Scholarship Program (IASP)was established by the United States Congress in 1991 (Public Law No.102-138 of October 28,1991).The first scholarship recipients arrived in the U.S.in January 1992,and by 2001 approximately 45 grantees had participated in this prestigious opportunity for educational and cultural exchange. The primary motivating factor for the development of the IASP was the desire of the U.S.Government to increase the opportunities for Arab citizens of Israel to attend institutions of higher education in the United States.The intention of the IASP is for grantees to participate in graduate degree programs at American universities as they experience life in the United States and share their own experiences with Americans. At the conclusion of grantees’academic programs,they are expected to return to their home country to contribute to the development and advancement of their community in Israel. Program Funding and Administration: IASP is funded by an endowment of the U.S.Government and administered by the U.S.Embassy in Tel Aviv (which handles selection,nomination,and coordination)and America-Mideast Educational and Training Services,Inc.(AMIDEAST)in Washington,DC (which takes care of university placement and administrative support).