The Ohio State University is the No. 1 producer of Fulbright U.S. Scholars for the 2025-26 academic year among all colleges and universities in the United States with 12 selected for the prestigious award. This is the second consecutive year that Ohio State has been ranked first. Ohio State is tied for 19th among doctoral institutions for the Fulbright U.S. Student program with 11 selectees (six undergraduate and five graduate).
The rankings were released today by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, which also named Ohio State as one of only seven institutions recognized as a Top Producer for both the Fulbright U.S. Student and Fulbright U.S. Scholar programs.
The Fulbright scholar and student rankings may be viewed on the Fulbright Top Producing Institutions website. View the list of Ohio State’s Fulbright undergraduate, graduate and scholar recipients.
“Fulbright experiences enrich the academic journey in many profound ways,” said Kaya Şahin, vice provost for global strategies and international affairs. “By immersing our students and scholars in new cultures, perspectives and communities, the program cultivates curiosity, empathy and global understanding – qualities that are essential in today’s interconnected world. Fulbright not only advances rigorous scholarship, it also strengthens Ohio State’s commitment to international engagement and builds enduring partnerships that expand the impact of our work far beyond campuses.”
Ohio State’s Fulbright students and scholars traveled to 16 different countries and the United Kingdom and represent the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Education and Human Ecology, Engineering, Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Public Health and Social Work.
“Our Fulbright recipients and applicants showcase the incredible level of academic excellence found across Ohio State’s student body,” said Ola Ahlqvist, associate vice provost of academic enrichment. “We are proud of all our students who, through the Fulbright process, have translated how their Buckeye experience informs their future as global citizens. I would also like to recognize all the faculty and staff who have dedicated their time and expertise to supporting these students in pursuit of their goals.”
As part of the university’s commitment to global engagement and to encourage students, faculty and staff to apply for Fulbright awards, Ohio State annually hosts Fulbright Week to promote the Fulbright program through a series of events including workshops, presentations and other activities. This year Fulbright Week will be held March 23-27 with both virtual and in-person activities and information sessions.
Over 2,200 U.S. students and over 900 U.S. colleges and university faculty and administrators are awarded Fulbright grants annually. In addition, 4,000 Fulbright Foreign Students and Visiting Scholars come to the United States annually to study, lecture, conduct research or teach their native language. Fulbright is active in more than 160 countries.
The U.S. Fulbright Scholar and the U.S. Student Fulbright competition for graduate students are administered through the Office of International Affairs. For more information contact Joanna Kukielka-Blaser at kukielka-blaser.1@osu.edu. The U.S. Student Fulbright competition for undergraduate students is administered through the Undergraduate Fellowship Office. The office assists all undergraduate Ohio State students interested in pursuing a national scholarship or fellowship. For more information contact fellowships@osu.edu.