global-affairs-fulbright

About the Fulbright Program

Championing International Exchange

Established in 1946 and sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, the Fulbright Program aims to increase mutual understanding between the United States and other countries, through the exchange of persons, knowledge, and skills—and through funding students, scholars, and professionals in undertaking graduate study, advanced research, university teaching, and teaching in elementary and secondary schools.

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J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board Chair Jeffrey Bleich at Global Affairs' annual Humphrey Fellows/Fulbright Scholars and Students Reception in November of 2017.

The Fulbright Program offers a wide range of research and educational exchange opportunities for UC Davis in over 130 countries—and brings international scholars and students here for academic collaborations that transform the campus community and build bridges to all parts of the world.

"Educational exchange can turn nations into people, contributing as no other form of communication can to the humanizing of international relations. Man's capacity for decent behavior seems to vary directly with his perception of others as individual humans with human motives and feelings, whereas his capacity for barbarism seems related to his perception of an adversary in abstract terms, as the embodiment, that is, of some evil design or ideology." -Founder Senator J. William Fulbright

2019 Humphrey - Fulbright Reception group photo
UC Davis Hubert H. Humphrey Fellows and Fulbright Scholars and Students at UC Davis Global Affairs' annual Humphrey - Fulbright reception in 2019.

Consistently ranked among the top universities hosting and producing Fulbright scholars and students, UC Davis hosts workshops and supports applications preparation. In 2009, we hosted over 20 Fulbright advisors from Fulbright Commissions and U.S. Embassies across East Asia and the Pacific, and in 2017, we hosted the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board for their fall board meeting, during International Education Week. The Fulbright Program continues to be an integral part of UC Davis and Global Affairs efforts to strengthen and enhance our international leadership, education, and research collaborations.

UC Davis Distinctions

Ranked for Producing Fulbright U.S. ScholarsFulbright Top Scholar Producer

During the 2019-20 academic year, UC Davis was recognized as a top producer of U.S. Fulbright Scholars among doctoral institutions, tying for fifth in the country. UC Davis sent seven scholars to countries including Bulgaria, Germany, and Uruguay.

Fulbright badgeRanked for Producing Fulbright U.S. Students 

During the 2018-19 academic year, UC Davis was recognized as a top producer of U.S. Fulbright Students after 12 UC Davis students and alumni were awarded Fulbright fellowships—the largest group of Aggies ever awarded—with the recipients’ global footprint stretching from Mexico to Malaysia, Iceland to South Africa.

Ranked 11th for Hosting International Scholars, 2016-17
UC Davis welcomed 2,261 international scholars, ranking 11th among U.S. universities.

Ranked 11th for Hosting International Scholars, 2015-16

UC Davis hosted 2,202 international scholars in 2015-16.

Ranked 9th for Hosting International Scholars, 2014-15

Welcoming 2,654 international scholars in 2014-15, UC Davis ranked among the top ten in the U.S.

Ranked 9th for Hosting International Scholars, 2013-14

Welcoming 2,496 international scholars in 2013-14, UC Davis ranked among the top ten in the U.S.

U.S. Scholar Top Producer, 2012-13

In 2012-13, UC Davis was ranked among the top producing institutions of U.S. Fulbright Scholars, academics chosen to go abroad to teach and do research through the U.S. government’s flagship program for international educational exchange.

Top 10 in Hosting International Scholars, 2012-13

UC Davis ranked among the leading U.S. universities hosting international scholars in 2012-13, welcoming 2,232 international scholars to campus.

Top 10 in Hosting International Scholars, 2011-2012

In 2012-13, UC Davis hosted 2,217 international scholars, ranking ninth among U.S. universities.

U.S. Scholar Top Producer, 2010-2011 

UC Davis ranked 3rd among U.S. institutions for producing five U.S. Fulbright Scholar awardees.

Top 5 in Hosting Fulbright Visiting Scholars, 2010-11

in 2010-11 UC Davis ranked for 5th in hosting Fulbright Visiting Scholars, hosting 11 scholars.

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UC Davis international scholars visiting a local walnut farm.

Connect with Us

To keep up to date with the latest Fulbright activities and opportunities at UC Davis, connect with UC Davis Global Affairs on InstagramFacebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

More Information

The Fulbright Program is adminstered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State under policy guidelines established by the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board and in cooperation with a number of private organizations. 

There are a variety of program opportunities for U.S. scholars and students and visiting (non U.S.) scholars and students. Please visit our UC Davis Fulbright Contact Information page to find contacts for questions about programs.