Carolina named top producer for Fulbright students, scholars
For the first time in 15 years, the University earned the distinction in both programs, one of seven institutions so honored this year.
UNC-Chapel Hill has been named a top producing institution for the Fulbright U.S. Student and Fulbright U.S. Scholar programs for the first time in 15 years.
Carolina has earned the student distinction from the U.S. Department of State for 16 of the last 17 years. Last year, Carolina was the No. 1 public university for Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards and has produced more student recipients than any public university over the past four years. This year, Carolina has also been named a top producer of Fulbright U.S. Scholars, the first time the University has received the distinction in 15 years. Carolina is one of seven institutions to earn the top producer distinction for both U.S. Scholars and U.S. Students this year.
“The Fulbright top producer distinction shines a light on Carolina’s faculty as truly world class,” said Giselle Corbie, senior vice provost. “We have the goal to have more of our outstanding faculty recognized through honorific awards, and this year’s achievements — along with this distinction — is an example of why we should keep setting these goals.”
Five UNC-Chapel Hill faculty and staff members were selected for Fulbright U.S. Scholar awards: Tori Smith Ekstrand, Christy Avery, Madeline Allen, Krista Northup and Gabriel Sneh. Every year, the U.S. Department of State and Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board select scholars, faculty, researchers and administrators to conduct research abroad and broaden international education partnerships.
There were also 24 student and alumni applicants selected from UNC-Chapel Hill. These recipients are among almost 2,000 U.S. citizens who are studying, researching or teaching abroad through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Tar Heels received Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards to 18 countries, including first-ever student awards to Bahrain, Eswatini, Iceland, Kuwait and Serbia.
“This is the third straight year that Carolina has more than 20 Fulbright U.S. Student Program recipients, a feat unmatched by any other public university,” said Marc Howlett, executive director of the Office of Distinguished Scholarships in Honors Carolina. “Being first in Fulbright is a campus-wide effort, and Tar Heels continue to make significant contributions around the world.”
Fulbright offers hundreds of awards annually for faculty, staff, students and alumni to research, teach, pursue graduate studies and more. The Office of Distinguished Scholarships in Honors Carolina supports the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. The Center for Faculty Excellence provides guidance to Carolina faculty pursuing Fulbright awards. UNC Global Affairs provides guidance to Carolina faculty and academic departments seeking to host Fulbright visitors, as well as support to visiting Fulbrighters.
Barbara Stephenson, Carolina’s vice provost for global affairs and chief global officer, along with Heather Ward, associate provost for Global Affairs, and Krista Northup, director for global partnerships, will attend a reception honoring 2025-26 Fulbright top producing institutions on Feb. 18 in Washington, D.C.
“I am so proud of our faculty and students this year, and every year,” Stephenson said. “Carolina continues to set records and enhance its reputation around the world as one of the best universities for global problem-solvers to study, teach, train and serve.”
