Notre Dame a top producer of Fulbright students for 12th straight year

Based on the original article written by Erin Blasko

The University of Notre Dame is a top producer of Fulbright students for the 12th consecutive year, according to an announcement from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, which administers the Fulbright U.S. Student Program on behalf of the U.S. Department of State.

Twenty-two Notre Dame students, including 18 undergraduate students and four graduate students, were awarded Fulbright Scholarships for the 2025-26 academic year, ranking 12th among U.S. doctoral institutions. Slightly more than 30% of the Notre Dame students who applied to the program were accepted, exceeding the respective rates for the 11 schools ahead of Notre Dame in the rankings.

Dr. Mary Ann McDowell, a professor of biology and associate dean for professional development at the Graduate School, offered her praise for the Notre Dame Fulbright students:

“Fulbright awards are highly competitive and recognize academic excellence, leadership potential and a strong commitment to global engagement and public service. The continued success of Notre Dame students earning Fulbright awards reflects their remarkable talent, dedication, and drive to make a meaningful difference in the world. I am sincerely thankful to the exceptional teams in the Graduate School’s Office of Grants and Fellowships and the Center for Undergraduate Scholarly Engagement, whose guidance and expertise are instrumental in supporting students throughout the Fulbright application process.”

Established in 1964, the Fulbright U.S. Student Program is the U.S. government’s flagship educational and cultural exchange program, offering students the opportunity to study, teach, or pursue research or other projects abroad. Fulbright students are evaluated on their academic profiles and the strength of their proposals, among other criteria. Notre Dame has been a top producer of Fulbright students 13 times since the 2009–10 academic year.

The University of Notre Dame prepares students to reach their fullest potential on a global stage. When you choose to give the gift of Notre Dame, you create invaluable opportunities for even more students to practice excellence and leadership around the globe.

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