For the 10th year, the University of Iowa is named a Fulbright top-producing institution by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The UI  has a 40 percent grant recipient rate, one of the highest for any university in the country, according to data from the university.

The Fulbright program was founded in 1946 by U.S. Sen. J. William Fulbright, giving students the opportunity and financial means, primarily through grants, to study and teach English, conduct research, create art, or pursue other opportunities abroad.

The 2026-27 applicant pool has 23 of the 32 applicants from the UI making it to the second round of consideration.

“It underscores that we are a leader in global education, that we help set the standards, especially with respect to student success in terms of global experiences,” Russell Ganim, dean of international programs, said.

According to data collected by the university, the UI  has the highest rate of Fulbright applications to grant recipients in the Big Ten conference at 40 percent, putting the university higher than programs like Northwestern at roughly 18 percent and the University of Michigan at 25 percent.

“This really showcases the university’s commitment to internationalization, and underscores the fact that Iowa is a real player in this space, and that we are able to distinguish ourselves as a research one institution that has a big footprint across the world, especially when it comes to the Fulbright,” Ganim said.

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Past UI recipients have used the grant to travel to Germany, Taiwan, and Spain, teaching English and creating art.

“They have a strong impact on the world at large, and the University of Iowa, because of that,” Sylvia Dean, international grants assistant and past Fulbright grant recipient, said.

“Fulbright is a pivotal experience,” Dean said. “You know, living abroad is not something that everybody has the opportunity to do. But even if you don’t get selected, the process of applying for the grant is still extraordinarily helpful in terms of professional writing in the future, sort of pinpointing and identifying what specifically people want to do in their future for their career.”

The international grants program hosts multiple free workshops throughout the year to help students with writing and also to help them begin their application processes for the Fulbright program.

Karen Wachsmuth, associate director of international fellowships and Fulbright Program Advisor National Mentor, said UI Fulbright grant recipients are great additions to the program.

“They are wonderful at working with others in the community. I think that’s the reason why our students are accepted in those countries year after year, because we have a reputation of sending them really great students.” Wachsmuth said.