The University of Massachusetts Amherst has been named a Fulbright Top Producing Institution for the fourth time. The distinction marks it as a university with the highest number of faculty and administrators selected for the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Scholar Programs for the 2024-25 academic year.

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Six UMass Amherst faculty members representing the College of Engineering, the School of Public Health and Health Sciences, the College of Natural Sciences and the College of Humanities and Fine Arts were selected to receive 2024-25 Fulbright U.S. Scholar awards. 

UMass Amherst is among 130 institutions from across the U.S. to earn the distinction of being named Top Producers of either Fulbright U.S. Student or Scholar Programs for 2024-25.

This is the fourth time the university has been recognized as a Fulbright Top Producing Institution for U.S. Scholars as a doctorate-awarding institution in Carnegie Classifications, and UMass Amherst is the only public institution in New England earning this distinction.  In a recent announcement by Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, UMass Amherst maintained its R1 designation as one of the top-tier research institutions in the country.

“It is truly gratifying to be recognized as a Top Producer once again,” said Vice Provost for Global Affairs Kalpen Trivedi, who serves as a liaison to the Fulbright Scholar program. “The Fulbright Scholar program is a highly significant personal achievement and a testament to the high caliber of UMass faculty and researchers.  It also has great impact on the university enhancing our global impact and reputation. Our campus community is also greatly enhanced by hosting several Fulbright scholars and researchers every year including the prestigious Fulbright-Nehru Visiting Chair in Public Policy.”

UMass Amherst’s faculty and administrators receive Fulbright applicant support through resources such as the annual Fulbright U.S. Scholars workshop, organized by Office of Global Affairs (OGA) and co-sponsored with the Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Research and Engagement and the Office of Faculty Development. The OGA curates the UMass Faculty Fulbright Mentor Network, which currently includes close to 70 UMass Amherst Fulbright Scholar program alums who offer advice to those seeking Fulbright awards, and they host an annual Fulbright U.S. and Visiting Scholar reception to celebrate the campus Fulbright community.

“I take great pride in my role as campus liaison for the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program and enjoy supporting our faculty throughout the application process and learning about the breadth of their research and scholarship,” says Kimberly Stender, senior administrative coordinator to the vice provost for global affairs and fellow liaison to the Fulbright Scholar program. “I am always impressed with their commitment to academic collaboration and global partnerships.”

Fulbright alumni work to make a positive impact in their communities and the world and have included 44 heads of state or government, 62 Nobel Laureates, 90 Pulitzer Prize winners and 82 MacArthur Fellows.  

As a program of the U.S. Department of State, the Fulbright Program is the U.S. government's flagship international academic exchange program. Since 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided over 400,000 talented and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists and professionals of all backgrounds with the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research abroad. Fulbright award recipients exchange ideas, build people-to-people connections, and work to address complex global challenges. 

More information can be found on the Fulbright website: www.fulbrightprogram.org/.