The Institute of International Education (IIE), administers the Fulbright Scholar Program in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The worldwide success and sterling reputation of the Fulbright Program has been built on the talent, commitment and professionalism of scholars who have served as Fulbrighters at universities and research institutions in more than 160 countries.
Recognizing the passion Fulbright Scholars bring to their work and the tremendous difference they've made in American academia, we have expanded our engagement with the U.S. higher education community by including Fulbright U.S. Scholar alumni in our outreach efforts. Fulbright Scholar Alumni Ambassadors serve as official representatives of the Fulbright Scholar Program at the events for which they are selected.
- History and Funding
The Fulbright Scholar Program, funded by the U.S. Department of State, supports more than 800 U.S. faculty and professionals each year to teach and/or conduct research in more than 125 countries around the world. A key priority of for the State Department and the Institute of International Education (IIE), is to increase the diversity of the scholars who participate in the program and the range of U.S. higher education institutions that are represented overall. To support this goal, IIE launched the Fulbright Scholar Alumni Ambassador Program.
The Fulbright Scholar Alumni Ambassador Program selects, trains and utilizes a select group of Fulbright Scholar alumni to serve as representatives for the Fulbright Scholar Program at campus presentations and academic conferences across the United States. Ambassadors are selected from the full spectrum of U.S. academic disciplines, higher education and geographic regions. Ambassadors serve a two-year terms and present information on their Fulbright experience at multiple outreach events each year.
Alumni Ambassador activities are supported by IIE’s Fulbright Legacy Fund, sponsored by the IIE Board of Trustees.
Snapshot of Events
- How to Become an Alumni Ambassador
The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Alumni Ambassador Program is designed to increase the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program’s visibility nationwide and expand the diversity of future participants. Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors serve as representatives, recruiters, and spokespersons by sharing their experiences with audiences at campus presentations and conferences, by writing articles, assisting with digital outreach and social media efforts, and participating in recruitment webinars. Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors come from an array of backgrounds, geographic locations, disciplines, and institutions. They have participated in the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program in all world regions and through all types of grant activities.
We appreciate your interest in serving as an Alumni Ambassador for the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program. Applications are considered on an annual basis, and will open again in the Fall of 2024.
Please note that IIE receives significant interest in participating in this program, and not all requests can be accommodated.
We encourage all alumni to continue their engagement with the program by:
- Joining the Fulbright Association
- Serving as a Scholar Liaison/Fulbright Program Adviser/Application Reviewer
- Serving on the Campus Review Committee
- Submitting a story, video, or photos and engaging with us on social media
- Upcoming Fulbright Scholar Alumni Ambassador Events
- Blog Posts and Scholar Stories
- Sharing Fulbright As An Alumni Ambassador
- Bridging Cultural Divides Through Music
- Connecting my Native American and Irish Heritage through Fulbright
- Preserving African Culture Abroad and at Home
- My Immersive Experience in Taiwan
- International Conflict Resolution in Israel
- Introducing the 2017 Fulbright U.S. Scholar Alumni Ambassadors
For a complete list of Alumni Ambassadors appointed since the program’s inception, please visit the Alumni Ambassadors Appointments page.