American University was recognized today by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs as one of the colleges and universities with the highest number of students, faculty and administrators selected for the Fulbright U.S. Student and Fulbright U.S Scholar Programs. The university is one of 19 institutions named a top producer of both Fulbright US students and Fulbright US scholars for 2024–25.

Twelve students have received Fulbright U.S. student grants for the academic year 2024-2025, bringing the university’s total number of student scholars to 256 since the program’s inception. Six senior scholars from AU received Fulbright U.S. Scholar Awards. 

“This is the ninth time since 2012 that AU has been named a Top Producer of Fulbright U.S. Student Scholars,” said Paula Warrick, Senior Director of the Career Center’s Office of Merit Awards. “This honor is testimony to AU students’ inquisitiveness and engagement in global affairs, as well as their interpersonal strengths as ambassadors of American values. I would also like to recognize the hard work of the many dedicated faculty members the Merit Awards team who help our students to achieve this important opportunity.” 

The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government's flagship international academic exchange program. Since its inception in 1946, the program has provided more than 400,000 students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals of all backgrounds with the opportunity to study, teach, and conduct research abroad. Fulbright alumni have included 44 heads of state or government, 62 Nobel Laureates, 90 Pulitzer Prize winners, 82 MacArthur Fellows, and countless leaders and changemakers who build mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries.  

Among American University’s extraordinary grantees are Julian Chehirian, who co-created Bulgaria’s pavilion at the 60^th Annual Venice Biennale; Stacy Aldinger, Chief of Staff, Strategy, and Transformation at CARE; Emily Pfefer, Senior Research Advisor, British Medical Association; Ariana Curtis, Curator, National Museum of African American History and Culture; and Alison Shott, Senior Advisor, Community Capital and Capacity at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.

Applicants to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program at American University are supported by the AU Office of Merit Awards. Students and alumni who are interested in pursuing a future Fulbright grant can obtain information from the AU’s Office of Merit Awards, engage in one-on-one counseling with the office’s staff, get the latest updates on the office’s social media and online platforms, and participate in a series of workshops that are held each spring.

Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State, with funding provided by the U.S. Government. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations, and foundations around the world also provide direct and indirect support to the Program. 

For more information about the Fulbright Program, visit https://fulbrightprogram.org/