Duke University Again Named Fulbright Top Producer

Fulbright top producer logo

The Fulbright Program recognized Duke University for being one of the colleges and universities with the highest number of students selected for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. The recognition underscores the quality of Duke student scholarship and the university’s commitment to building global networks and supporting international learning opportunities.

Twenty-two Duke students were selected for Fulbright awards for the 2025-2026 academic year. These young scholars will teach English, pursue graduate study, and conduct independent research projects across 15 different countries on four continents.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is a world-renowned international education program designed to enable cultural exchange and increase mutual understanding between the United States and more than 140 different countries across the globe. Fulbright grantees exchange ideas, build people-to-people connections, and work to address complex global challenges.

Karen Weber, executive director of the Office of University Scholars and Fellows, shared, “We are incredibly proud of this year’s Fulbright recipients from Duke. Their commitment to global engagement, cultural immersion, and public service enriches not only the communities they will join abroad but also our own campus here in Durham. Being recognized as a Fulbright Top Producer is an honor and highlights our dedication to supporting students in thinking and acting as globally minded leaders and collaborators.”

The Duke students and alumni offered a Fulbright grant for the 2025-26 year include: 

  • Morayo Abbey-Bada, United Kingdom, Newcastle University Award in Psychology
  • Nima Babajani-Feremi, Spain, Open Study/Research Award in Creative Writing
  • Iyesha Belgrave, Indonesia, English Teaching Assistantship Award
  • Tyler Burden, Italy, Open Study/Research Award in Neuroscience
  • Ryan Copeland, South Korea, English Teaching Assistantship Award 
  • Brianna Cellini, France, Université Grenoble Alpes Award in Bioengineering
  • Evan Chan, Kazakhstan, English Teaching Assistantship Award
  • Ryan Copeland, South Korea, English Teaching Assistantship Award
  • Sasha Faison, Senegal, English Teaching Assistantship Award
  • Thailynn Glover, Canada, Fulbright Canada Research Award in Biomedical Engineering
  • Ariel Hekier, Czech Republic, English Teaching Assistantship Award
  • Sebastian Jimenez, Colombia, Open Study/Research Award in Neuroscience
  • Madison Kitts, Uganda, Open Study/Research Award in Global Health 
  • Camille Krejdovsky, France, Open Study/Research Award, Masters in Public Health 
  • Katie Lam, Germany, Open Study/Research Award in Anthropology
  • Weston Lindner, Kosovo, English Teaching Assistantship Award
  • Amiya Mehrotra, South Korea, English Teaching Assistantship Award
  • Colin Roberts, Uruguay, Open Study/Research Award in Biomedical Engineering
  • Devesh Shah, Spain, English Teaching Assistantship Award
  • Avery Smedley, Colombia, Open Study/Research Award in Urban Development & Planning    
  • Olivia Villaverde, Spain, English Teaching Assistantship Award

The Fulbright Program, established in 1946, is the U.S. government’s premier international academic exchange program. In the fall of 2024, more than 100 Duke seniors, graduate students, and young alumni applied for a Fulbright grant in 44 different countries. 

At Duke, Fulbright U.S. Student program applicants are supported by the Nationally Competitive Scholarships (NCS) team. NCS advisors are hosting Fulbright information sessions on Wednesday, February 25 and Tuesday, March 24, both at 5pm in Social Sciences 139. All are welcome; no RSVP is requested. 

For more information about the Fulbright Program, visit https://fulbrightprogram.org/, and reach out to Nationally Competitive Scholarships advisors at https://ousf.duke.edu/scholarships-beyond-duke/contact-ncs/.