Fulbrighters are students, scholars, artists, teachers, and professionals of all backgrounds from the U.S. and over 160 countries across the globe. In 2023, they achieved distinction in their fields, made contributions to science and culture, and built and enriched local, regional, and global communities one connection at a time.
Join us in celebrating how Fulbrighters addressed global challenges, championed arts and culture, inspired others through teaching and public service, advanced diversity and inclusion, and celebrated important milestones and achievements.
FULBRIGHTERS ADDRESSED GLOBAL CHALLENGES
Two Fulbrighters received MacArthur “Genius Grants”
With Linsey Marr, Fulbrighter to Taiwan, and Amber Wutich, Fulbrighter to Bolivia, a total of 80 Fulbrighters have been named as MacArthur Fellows. Learn more.
Fulbright Amazonia scholars set out to address challenges in the Amazon Basin
A partnership with Fulbright Brazil, Fulbright Amazonia is an international, multi-disciplinary collaboration of scholars from seven countries. Learn more.
The Fulbright Arctic Initiative promoted community-based policy solutions to shared Arctic challenges
Scholars from the eight Arctic nations engaged policymakers and the public on creating a secure and sustainable Arctic during Fulbright Arctic Week, capping off two years of work in Arctic security, infrastructure, and health. Learn more.
Five Fulbright-National Geographic Awardees began their exploration of global challenges
Participants traveled to Japan, Mexico, Poland, Singapore, and South Korea with additional support from the National Geographic Society to share stories that illuminate global challenges. Learn more.
FULBRIGHTERS CHAMPIONED ARTS AND CULTURE
The Guggenheim Foundation recognized 14 Fulbrighters for their contributions to scholarship and the arts
Fulbrighters to Belgium, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Ecuador, Finland, Greece, India, Ireland, Mexico, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam, and one Fulbrighter from Canada were recognized as musicians, artists, writers, and scholars. Learn more.
Renée Fleming was named a Kennedy Center Honoree, and won her fifth Grammy
The acclaimed operatic soprano, a Fulbrighter to Germany, was recognized as a Kennedy Center Honoree and won the 2023 Grammy for Best Classical Solo Vocal Album. Learn more.
Ruth Simmons delivered the National Endowment for the Humanities’ Jefferson Lecture
The former university president, scholar, and Fulbrighter to France delivered the annual lecture, which is the highest honor the U.S. Government bestows for distinguished intellectual achievement in the humanities. Learn more.
In partnership with the National Archives, Fulbrighters are working to safeguard cultural heritage
Cancy Chu, a Fulbrighter from Australia, completed the first Fulbright-National Archives Heritage Science Fellowship. Lais Feltrin Sidou, from Brazil, began her tenure in the unique partnership between the National Archives Records Administration and Fulbright. Learn more.
FULBRIGHTERS INSPIRED others THROUGH TEACHING AND PUBLIC SERVICE
Fulbrighters achieved leadership positions in government
Yoko Kamikawa was appointed Japan’s Foreign Minister
Alexandra Papadopoulou was appointed Greece’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
Fulbrighters were appointed leaders at U.S. higher education institutions
Mildred Garcia (Fulbrighter to France, Jordan, and Oman) was named Chancellor of the California State University System
Ben Vinson III (Fulbrighter to Mexico) was named President of Howard University
Charles Sasaki (Fulbrighter to Germany, Russia, and Taiwan) was named President/Superintendent of Ohlone College
Joan Gabel (Fulbrighter to India) was named Chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh
Fulbrighters from West Africa held a conference in Ghana on innovation in education
Educators from Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, and Senegal gathered in Accra, Ghana for a first-of-its-kind conference for alumni of Fulbright Teacher Exchanges. Learn more.
Fulbrighters volunteered in communities across the United States
Fulbright Foreign Students assisted NGOs in Atlanta, Nashville, New Orleans, and Washington D.C. on projects supporting environmental sustainability, contributing to public health, and combatting food insecurity.
FULBRIGHTERS ADVANCED DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
Fulbrighters advanced equity and inclusion in the program through affinity groups
Alumni-led organizations, such as Fulbridge, Fulbright Access, Fulbright Families, Fulbright LatinX, Fulbright Lotus, Fulbright Noir, and Fulbright Prism provided supportive communities for a diverse range of Fulbright alumni, applicants and participants.
Fulbrighters and other stakeholders at community colleges discussed strategies for strengthening engagement on their campuses at a community college workshop hosted by the program in Washington, D.C.
FULBRIGHT CELEBRATED IMPORTANT MILESTONES AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Fulbright Commissions celebrated milestone anniversaries:
75th Anniversary
Belgium and Luxembourg: Commission for Educational Exchange Between the United States, Belgium and Luxembourg
France: Franco-American Commission for Educational Exchange
Greece: U.S. Educational Foundation in Greece
Italy: The U.S.-Italy Fulbright Commission
New Zealand: New Zealand-United States Educational Foundation
Philippines: Philippine-American Educational Foundation
United Kingdom: The United States-United Kingdom Fulbright Commission
65th Anniversary
Spain: Commission for Cultural, Educational and Scientific Exchange Between the United States of America and Spain
60th Anniversary
Malaysia: Malaysian-American Commission on Educational Exchange
35th Anniversary
Bulgaria: Bulgarian-American Commission for Educational Exchange
Jordan: Jordanian-American Commission for Educational Exchange
Romania: Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission
The Fulbright Association convened a special Youth Summit as part of its annual conference in Denver
The Youth Summit, supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of State, introduced primary school children from the Denver metropolitan area to opportunities through Fulbright and other programs. Learn more.
