The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has again recognized the University of Iowa as a Fulbright Top Producing Institution among doctoral institutions for the U.S. Student Program. This marks the ninth year that Iowa has received this prestigious honor, awarded to U.S. colleges and universities with the highest number of applicants selected for the 2024-25 Fulbright U.S. Student Program. 

Seventeen UI students and alumni were chosen from thousands of Fulbright Award applicants nationwide to serve as representatives of the U.S. Department of State in 14 countries during the 2024-25 academic year. The selected Fulbright recipients are teaching English, conducting research, pursuing graduate studies, and engaging in community service projects. 

In addition, when comparing the ratio of applicants to awardees, Iowa ranks third among its peer institutions in the doctoral institutions category with more than 43% of applicants receiving these prestigious honors.

"It is very rewarding to see the University of Iowa once again earn the distinction of top Fulbright producer," says Russ Ganim, associate provost and dean of International Programs. "Sustained recognition at such a high level reinforces the commitment of our faculty, staff, and students to international education while showing the willingness of Iowans to adapt, grow, and take risks in a global setting." 

The program's success at Iowa stems from a robust support network, including two dedicated advisors, seven Fulbright mentors, a Fulbright librarian, a 40-plus member faculty committee, and an alumni network exceeding 100 Fulbright students and faculty. 

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is administered at Iowa through International Programs under the guidance of Fulbright Program Advisor Karen Wachsmuth.

"In the same way that Caitlin Clark has been a beacon of light showing the excellence of Iowa's athletic programs, our UI Fulbright student awardees have been consistently chosen out of a field of more than 10,000 applicants nationwide as the best and brightest to represent the U.S. abroad,” says Wachsmuth. 

The program's impact is evident in participants' experiences.

"The Fulbright program was the catalyst that took me from sitting behind a screen analyzing genetic data to living in the context where those data were collected. My work — and my life — have been so enriched by the relationships I've been able to build during my seven months living in Medellín," says Tabitha Peter, a PhD candidate in biostatistics and 2024-25 Fulbright Study/Research Grant recipient to Colombia.

Since its inception in 1946, the Fulbright program has supported more than 400,000 participants worldwide. Its alumni include 44 heads of state or government, 62 Nobel Laureates, 90 Pulitzer Prize winners, and 82 MacArthur Fellows. 

"It is an extreme pleasure to be involved with the Fulbright Program," says Jeanine Abrons, Fulbright mentor and clinical adjunct associate professor in the College of Pharmacy. "I love working with students to develop their proposals and statements. It's inspiring to me to see the creativity, passion, and ambition that our students combine with serving as cultural ambassadors."