CIEE Celebrates AIFS Donation to CAPDL Scholarship Fund That Will Increases Access to BridgeUSA Programs

As a founding member of The Coalition for American Public Diplomacy and Leadership (CAPDL) and with our own Carye Duffin the current board chair, we at CIEE are proud supporters of CAPDL's work to strengthen Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State's BridgeUSA programs that make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous.

We are pleased to share their announcement of a generous gift of $25,000 from our friends at the American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS) to the CAPDL Scholarship Fund for BridgeUSA, which supports international exchange and advances American interests by increasing access to BridgeUSA programs.

Since 1961, the US Department of State's 13 Private Sector J-1 Visa Programs – collectively known as BridgeUSA – have enabled more than 4.4 million people from around the world to enjoy short-term exchange programs in the United States. BridgeUSA delivers life-changing experiences for participants and advances American economic prosperity, national security, and public diplomacy. BridgeUSA programs operate at no cost to the American taxpayer, while generating $1.7 billion for the US economy annually.

The CAPDL Scholarship Fund for BridgeUSA will launch in 2026. It will award scholarships for selected individuals to participate in any of the 13 BridgeUSA programs through CAPDL members. Priority will be given to individuals who would otherwise be unable to afford participation.

"We are profoundly grateful to Bill Gertz and AIFS for their extraordinary support of our Scholarship Fund," said CAPDL Board Chair Carye Duffin. "In a time marked by rising costs and deepening divides, the kind of meaningful, person-to-person engagement fostered by BridgeUSA is not just valuable — it's essential. The establishment of the Cyril Taylor Scholars within the CAPDL Scholarship Fund is a transformative step forward, empowering us to extend these life-changing experiences to even more young leaders from around the world."

"In these challenging times - program advocacy, sharing best practices, and storytelling are key components in our public diplomacy and cultural exchange initiative," said Bill Gertz, Chairman of AIFS. "However, providing funds for motivated students and young adults to come to America is our top priority. AIFS is pleased donate $25,000 to this cause and work with CAPDL to provide BridgeUSA scholarships to economically challenged students and young adults around the world." 

If you are interested in helping more young people from around the world learn about the American people and American values through BridgeUSA, you can contribute to the CAPDL Scholarship Fund by contacting CAPDL Executive Director Carmen Mezzera at cmezzera@capdl.org.