News

Feb 10, 2023

Ohio State ranked a top producer of Fulbright U.S. scholars and students

The Ohio State University is among only nine doctoral institutions in the country to be named a top producer for both Fulbright U.S. scholar and U.S. student programs, according to the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs. This is the second consecutive year that Ohio State has been ranked in both categories.

Ohio State is tied for 4th nationally with seven Fulbright scholar awards and is tied for 18th with 12 Fulbright student awards for the 2022-23 academic year.

Ohio State consistently has been ranked as a top producer for the Fulbright scholar and student competitions, including a No. 1 ranking for Fulbright scholars in 2020-21. In the last six years, Ohio State has produced 48 faculty and 70 student Fulbright awardees.

“As we work through the many challenges facing the world today, it is inspiring that our students and faculty continue to connect across communities, combine expertise and create new ways of thinking at an unprecedented scale,” said Gil Latz, vice provost for global strategies and international affairs. “These attributes reflect the very mission of the Fulbright program, which strives to increase goodwill and mutual understanding across the globe.”

Student and faculty awardees are traveling to 11 different countries and represent the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Engineering, Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences and Law, as well as the Office of International Affairs.  

“We are fortunate to work as a team with many talented and motivated students on their Fulbright applications,” said Ola Ahlqvist, associate vice provost of academic achievement. “The Undergraduate Fellowship Office, many faculty mentors, and faculty fellow, Dodie McDow, have done an amazing job assisting these students as they develop their applications. This recognition is a testament to the academic excellence of Ohio State students and the dedicated support by staff and faculty to help them succeed.”

“The Undergraduate Fellowship Office supports all undergraduate students in their pursuit of nationally competitive awards, and the Fulbright program attracts the most interest each year,” said Janet Schroeder, undergraduate fellowship program manager. “As we guide students through the Fulbright application process, we ask them to reflect on their previous experiences and to articulate personal and professional goals, and we witness the impact of such a process of self-discovery as it ultimately shapes their futures as researchers, educators, and global citizens.”

As part of the university’s commitment to global engagement and to encourage students, faculty and staff to apply for Fulbright awards, Ohio State annually hosts Fulbright Week to promote the Fulbright program through a series of events including workshops, presentations and other activities. This year Fulbright Week will be held from April 11-14 with both virtual and in-person activities and information sessions.

“The Fulbright Program, which is singular in its breadth of opportunities, is an integral part of Ohio State’s international strategy,” said Joanna Kukielka-Blaser, director, Fulbright Scholar and Fulbright-Hays Programs. “We are very proud of the Fulbright culture that we have built on our campus over the past 14 years.”

Over 2,200 U.S. students and over 900 U.S. colleges and university faculty and administrators are awarded Fulbright grants annually. In addition, 4,000 Fulbright Foreign Students and Visiting Scholars come to the United States annually to study, lecture, conduct research or teach their native language. Fulbright is active in more than 160 countries.

The Fulbright scholar and student rankings may be viewed on the Fulbright Top Producing Institutions website. To view Ohio State’s 2022-23 Fulbright Scholars, visit oia.osu.edu, and to view Fulbright student awardees, visit honors-scholars.osu.edu.

The U.S. Fulbright Scholar and the U.S. Student Fulbright competition for graduate students are administered through the Office of International Affairs. For more information contact Joanna Kukielka-Blaser at kukielka-blaser.1@osu.edu.  The U.S. Student Fulbright competition for undergraduates is administered at Ohio State through the Undergraduate Fellowship Office. The office assists all undergraduate Ohio State students interested in pursuing a national scholarship or fellowship. For more information contact fellowships@osu.edu.