The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is among the U.S. colleges and universities that produced the most 2021-2022 Fulbright U.S. Scholars, as announced recently by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Twelve scholars from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign were awarded Fulbright awards for 2021-2022 — making the university the top doctoral institution in terms of numbers of scholars offered grants.
"The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is known for extending its research, education and engagement around the world," said Chancellor Robert J. Jones. "We are proud of our reputation as a global university with exceptional scholars who are working to make a significant, societal impact."
The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program is supported at the university through Global Relations in Illinois International. Applications are now open for scholars interested in teaching, conducting research and carrying out professional projects under Fulbright for the 2023-24 academic year. Interested faculty and staff are encouraged to contact Global Relations with questions.
“Fulbright fellowships provide our faculty, students, and staff the opportunity to live, learn and collaborate with communities that are different than theirs, which results in the expansion of knowledge around the world and the within the greater UIUC community. These international experiences and perspectives are instrumental in creating communities where love, respect, innovation, and discovery can lead to solutions that drive the future,” said Dr. Sammer Saleh Jones, Director for Global Relations. “As a proud Fulbright scholar myself, I am always excited to be a part of this exceptional institution and proud to share Fulbright opportunities with our UIUC community.”
The Fulbright Program was established over 75 years ago to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. Fulbright is the world’s largest and most diverse international educational exchange program. The primary source of funding for the Fulbright Program is an annual appropriation made by the U.S. Congress to the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Top-producing institutions are highlighted annually in The Chronicle of Higher Education.
Since its inception in 1946, over 400,000 people from all backgrounds—recent university graduates, teachers, scientists and researchers, artists, and more—have participated in the Fulbright Program and returned to their home countries with an expanded worldview, a deep appreciation for their host country and its people, and a new network of colleagues and friends.
Fulbright is active in more than 160 countries worldwide and partners with participating governments, host institutions, corporations, and foundations in foreign countries and in the United States. Many of these organizations also provide direct and indirect support. ECA sponsors the Fulbright program, and several non-profit, cooperative partners implement and support the program on the Bureau’s behalf. For more information about the Fulbright Program, visit eca.state.gov/fulbright.
