Innovators.
Trailblazers.
Fulbrighters.

Year in Review
75th Anniversary Year
For 75 years, Fulbrighters have been leaders in their fields and have worked across cultures and borders to contribute to their communities and the world we share. Throughout 2021, we celebrated Fulbright’s impact, history and alumni around the world. Browse events and articles.
Impact
Highlighting Fulbright’s Impact
Each month of the 75th Anniversary year, we highlighted Fulbright leaders, events, and activities related to a timely and important field or theme, sharing some of the many ways that Fulbrighters inspire, innovate, and find solutions to challenges facing our communities and our world.
U.S. Student alumni to the U.K. reconvened for a reunion in 2021.

Fulbrighters are immersed in distinctive experiences and cultures.

Coming from all walks of life, Fulbrighters share a passion for peaceful cooperation.

Nester, a trumpet player, educator, and composer, performed at the Fulbright Program’s 75th Anniversary Celebration at the Kennedy Center.

Fulbrighters join a dynamic network that fosters mutual understanding between nations.

By serving as cultural ambassadors, Fulbrighters experience growth as educators, global citizens, and humans.

“[Fulbright] has opened new opportunities in my academic career, long-term collaboration, and new friendships.”

Fulbright Days
Celebrating Around the World
The Fulbright Program’s success is based on a sustained commitment to international bilateral partnerships and shared priorities. Throughout 2021, Fulbright Commissions, U.S. Embassies, Universities, and other Fulbright partners and supporters held Fulbright Days to celebrate the 75th anniversary with a wide and varied range of activities. In total, 66 countries and territories around the world celebrated the impact of Fulbright partnerships across the globe.
Fulbright certainly embodies this philosophy of doing interesting and important and impactful work, but also making sure that you share that work with other people.
U.S. to Malaysia and Ecuador, 2016

Alumni
Fulbright Alumni: Lasting Legacies
More than 400,000 people have embarked on Fulbright exchanges and returned with enhanced skills, new connections, and greater global understanding. Throughout the 75th Anniversary year, we featured 48 notable Fulbrighters who have made an impact on the world.
Fulbrighters inspire, innovate, and find solutions to challenges facing our communities and our world. Read about the impact they have had in areas like public service, science and technology, public health, arts, education and the environment.
U.S. to U.K., 2019

In the Media
Recent News
Discover Fulbright Program news and updates.
Fulbright Alum Honored with Presidential Medal of Freedom
Gabby Giffords – former U.S. Representative, Fulbright alum, and former Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board member – received the Presidential Medal of Freedom on July 7.
Fulbright Japan Celebrates 70th Anniversary with the Imperial Household
On July 1, the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo celebrated the 70th anniversary of the U.S.-Japan Fulbright program at a special celebration that included Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan.
Independent Fulbright Research Journal Launched
“Fulbright Chronicles,” a quarterly periodical established and edited by alumni of the global Fulbright Program, released its first issue.
Fulbright Alum Elected President of Italy’s Highest Court
Italian Fulbrighter Giuliano Amato recently took office as President of the Constitutional Court, the Italian equivalent of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Pulitzer Prize Winner and Fulbright Alum George Crumb Dies at 92
Pulitzer-winning composer and two-time Fulbright alum George Crumb passed away at the age of 92.
Livestream: Fulbrighter Maria Ressa Receives Nobel Prize
Tune in at 1pm CET/7am EST on December 10 as Fulbright alum Maria Ressa receives the Nobel Peace Prize award in Oslo, Norway.
Fulbright Program Celebrates 75th Anniversary
The PIE News, an online publication that provides news and business analysis for professionals in international education, covered the the Fulbright Program’s 75th anniversary event at the Kennedy Center.
Global “Changemakers” Mark 75th Anniversary of Fulbright Program
The Washington Diplomat publication covered the Fulbright Program’s 75th anniversary event at the Kennedy Center.
Fulbright’s Impact: National Leaders Honor 75 Years with Moving Tributes
University Business, a magazine providing cutting-edge coverage of education news, technology, academics, and more, wrote about the 75th anniversary event at the Kennedy Center on Nov 30.
Nine Fulbrighters Visit Schools Virtually for International Education Week
Nine Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistants met with over 150 students in North Carolina, Nebraska, and New York. These visits, in areas where opportunities for global engagement are traditionally more limited, allowed American students to gain firsthand global knowledge.
Egyptian Fulbright Alum Aids in Historic Avenue of Sphinxes Opening
Zahi Hawass, Egyptian archaeologist and Fulbright alum, helped restore the Avenue of Sphinxes from 2005-2011.
ECA Announces Inaugural Fulbright HSI Leaders Initiative
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announced a new initiative recognizing 35 Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) who demonstrated strong engagement with the Fulbright Program.
Fulbright 75 Virtual Art Exhibit Launches
The Fulbright 75 Virtual Art Exhibit features 75 works from Fulbright alumni. Each art piece is related to the participants’ Fulbright experience.
Fulbright Alumna Awarded 2021 Nobel Peace Prize
Journalist Maria Ressa, a 1986 Fulbrighter to the Philippines, was one of two people awarded the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize for her work against disinformation and for fighting for press freedom.
King Felipe of Spain Presents Fulbright Trajectory Award to Dr. Javier Solana
On October 1, Fulbright alumnus King Felipe of Spain presented the Fulbright Trajectory Award to fellow alumnus Dr. Javier Solana for his professional accomplishments.
Fulbright Alumnus Wins 2021 MacArthur Award
Daniel Alarcón, a 2001 U.S. Student to Peru, was recently named a 2021 MacArthur Foundation Fellow for his writing and radio production work.
Fulbright Arctic Alumnus Named Chair of U.S. Arctic Research Commission
Mike Sfraga, co-lead Scholar for rounds 1 and 2 of the Fulbright Arctic Initiative, has been appointed by President Biden as Chair of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission.
Fulbright Program Highlighted in IIE Networker Magazine
The article highlights the program’s 75th anniversary and three ways in which the Fulbright Program can internationalize U.S. higher education institutions.
Fulbright: The 75-year Citizen Diplomacy Experiment
Alumni Ambassador David Bernstein contributed an article to The Hill on the Fulbright Program’s 75th anniversary and its extraordinary alumni.
Fulbright Going Strong at 75
The August issue of the U.S. Department of State’s official multimedia publication, State Magazine, features an article on the Fulbright Program’s 75th anniversary.
2020 and 2021 Fulbright-National Geographic Storytelling Fellows Announced
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the National Geographic Society announced the selection of the 2020 and 2021 cohorts of Fulbright-National Geographic Storytelling Fellows.
Fulbright Program Commemorates 75th Anniversary
The State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs is proud to celebrate the impact and achievements of the over 400,000 alumni of the Fulbright Program as we commemorate its 75th anniversary.
Fulbright-National Geographic Storytelling Alumna Named Artist-in-Residence
Mimi Onuoha, a 2014 Fulbright-National Geographic Storytelling Fellow, was named the artist-in-residence at the Ida B. Wells Just Data Lab at Princeton University.
Nobel Prize Winner and Fulbright Alumnus Ei-ichi Negishi Dies at 85
Nobel-winning chemist and 1960 Fulbright Foreign Student from Japan Ei-ichi Negishi passed away at the age of 85.
Fulbright Alumna Awarded 2021 Pulitzer Prize
Megha Rajagopalan, 2010 U.S. Student to China, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in International Reporting alongside her BuzzFeed News colleagues.
U.S. Embassy in Tunisia Creates Video for Fulbright’s 75th Anniversary
To celebrate the Fulbright Program’s 75th anniversary, the U.S. Embassy in Tunisia created a video highlighting their Fulbright Day event and the alumni who attended.
Fulbright Thailand Launches Video Series for Anniversary
The Thailand-United States Educational Foundation (TUSEF) launched an ongoing series featuring alumni from their various Fulbright programs.
20 Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders Announced for AY 2019-2020
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs recognized 20 institutions as “Fulbright Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Institutional Leaders” for their noteworthy engagement with the Fulbright Program.
Fulbright Alumna Named Director of Artistic Programs at Signature Theatre
U.S. Student alumna Iyvon Edebiri was named the Director of Artistic Programs at Signature Theatre in New York.
Alumna Maya Angelou Among Women Chosen to be on Quarter
Writer, poet, and Fulbright alumna Maya Angelou was chosen to be one of the first women to appear on a series of quarters issued by the U.S. Mint.
Behind-the-Scenes Look at Dr. Zahi Hawass’ Luxor Discovery
Egyptian media outlet Cairo Scene followed alumnus Dr. Zahi Hawass and Fulbright Egypt for this exclusive video feature.
U.S. Scholar Alumna Featured on PBS NewsHour
Janai Nelson, alumna and Associate Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF), was a guest commentator on PBS Newshour to discuss the trial and verdict of Derek Chauvin.
Fulbright-National Geographic Alumna Featured on The New Yorker Radio Hour
Destry Maria Sibley spoke about her grandmother’s story of being sent to a Mexican orphanage as a child during the Spanish Civil War.
Egyptian Fulbright Alumnus Discovers “Lost Golden City”
Egyptologist and Fulbright alumnus Dr. Zahi Hawass’ discovery “has been hailed as one of the most important archaeological finds since Tutankhamun’s tomb.”
Fulbright Association Celebrates 75th Anniversary with Participant Stories
The U.S. alumni organization of the Fulbright Program, the Fulbright Association, is sharing stories of inspirational Fulbrighters throughout 2021.
Third Fulbright Arctic Initiative Launches with Virtual Kick-Off
On March 23-24, the new cohort of Fulbright Arctic Scholars held a virtual meeting to kick off their 18-month collaborative research program.
Ex-Bristol Student Unable to Read at 13 Now Studying for PhD on Fulbright
William Carter was unable to read until the age of 13 because of his severe dyslexia and dyspraxia. He is now on a Fulbright at the University of California, Berkeley.
TCU Celebrates 75-Year Legacy with the U.S. Fulbright Program
Texas Christian University (TCU) launched a site that celebrates TCU Fulbrighters and their stories.
Fulbright Alumnus Named Editor-at-Large at Lonely Planet
Travel writer, multimedia journalist, and Fulbright alumnus Sebastian Modak was named the new Editor-at-Large for Lonely Planet.
An Advocate for the Disabled Talks About the Importance of Giving Back
Eyþór Kamban Þrastarson, a Fulbright fellow (Iceland to the U.S., 2015) and a manager of a Erasmus collaboration project that aims to empower and enable young people that are blind and visually impaired, discusses the impact Fulbright made on his life.
2020-21 Fulbright Top Producing Institutions Announced
We congratulate the 2020-21 Top Producing Institutions of Fulbright U.S. Students and Scholars, who had the most Fulbrighters in certain categories.
Rakuten Donation Enhances Fulbright Opportunities for Japanese Students
Fulbright Japan announced that Rakuten, Inc. has committed to establishing the Fulbright-Mikitani Memorial Grant to support future Japanese participants.
National Archives Signs MOU with Fulbright for Archival Science Fellowship
The National Archives and the State Department formalized a new partnership to establish the Fulbright-National Archives Heritage Science Fellowship.
Fulbright Partners with National Park Service to Strengthen Exchanges
Fulbright and the National Park Service signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), increasing environmental and cultural awareness worldwide.
Fulbright Program Celebrates 75th Anniversary in 2021
Read more about the Fulbright Program’s 75th anniversary celebration in DipNote, the U.S. Department of State’s official blog.
The Fulbright Program’s 2020 Year in Review
Take a look back at the program’s highlights and milestones in an unprecedented year.
The 2019-20 Fulbright-National Geographic Fellows Share their Stories
Now back from the field, the four 2019-20 Fulbright-National Geographic Storytelling Fellows share their research and photos.
Events & Activities
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