Arizona State University Students Earn 19 Fulbright Awards for International Research and Teaching

Arizona State University continues to establish itself as a leading institution for students seeking international academic opportunities. For the 2026–27 academic year, 19 ASU students and recent graduates received Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards, securing positions to conduct research, pursue graduate studies, and teach English across Europe, Asia, South America, and beyond. This cohort represents one of the largest groups of Fulbright recipients from ASU in the past five years, reinforcing the university’s commitment to global education and cross-cultural exchange.

Understanding the Fulbright U.S. Student Program and Its Impact

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program, administered by the U.S. Department of State, awards over 2,000 grants annually to recent graduates and young professionals. These grants support graduate study, independent research, creative projects, and English teaching assistantships in more than 140 countries worldwide. The program’s fundamental mission is to promote mutual understanding between people in the United States and other nations through academic and cultural exchange.

For students at Arizona State University, the Fulbright program offers a structured pathway to apply classroom knowledge in real-world international settings. Whether investigating sustainable agriculture practices in the European Union or documenting the effects of foreign investment on Indigenous communities in South America, Fulbright recipients gain firsthand experience that shapes their professional trajectories and broadens their perspectives on global issues.

Submit your application today if you are an ASU student interested in competing for the next cycle of Fulbright awards. Early preparation significantly improves your chances of developing a competitive proposal.

ASU’s Track Record as a Top Producer of Fulbright Scholars

Arizona State University’s success with the Fulbright program is not a recent development. The U.S. Department of State recognized ASU as a Top Producing Institution for the 2025–26 Fulbright U.S. Student Program, ranking the university third among public doctoral institutions nationwide. This recognition marks the 20th time in the past 22 years that ASU has earned Top Producing Institution status—a record that speaks to the university’s sustained investment in supporting students through the competitive application process.

This consistent performance distinguishes ASU from many peer institutions. While some universities experience fluctuations in their Fulbright numbers from year to year, ASU has built an infrastructure that reliably produces strong applicants. The result is a growing network of ASU alumni who have conducted global research and returned with insights that enrich both their professional work and the university community.

The Role of the Lorraine W. Frank Office of National Scholarships Advisement

Much of ASU’s Fulbright success can be attributed to the Lorraine W. Frank Office of National Scholarships Advisement (ONSA). This office works directly with students throughout the entire application process, from initial interest to final submission. According to Kyle Mox, associate dean for national scholarships at ASU, the office helps students identify projects that align with their academic interests, develop competitive proposals, and clearly articulate the significance of their proposed work.

The advising process is comprehensive. ONSA staff guide applicants through country selection, proposal development, and multiple rounds of essay refinement. This structured support addresses a common barrier for prospective Fulbright applicants: the complexity of crafting a proposal that satisfies both the academic requirements of the program and the cultural exchange objectives that define the Fulbright mission.

Schedule a free consultation to learn more about how ASU’s National Scholarships Advisement office can support your Fulbright application or other national scholarship pursuits.

Spotlight on 2026–27 Fulbright Recipients from Arizona State University

The diversity of research topics and destination countries among this year’s ASU Fulbright cohort illustrates the breadth of academic strengths at the university. The 19 award recipients span multiple disciplines, including sustainability, journalism, engineering, education, and public policy.

Researching Sustainable Agriculture Across the European Union

Elora Bevacqua, a graduate student in sustainability from the College of Global Futures, received a Fulbright Schuman Award to study organic agriculture and sustainable food systems across the EU. Based in Belgium, Bevacqua will conduct research in France, Ireland, Poland, and Hungary over eight months, examining how policy frameworks support organic agriculture and identifying lessons applicable to sustainable food systems in the United States.

Her project draws directly from her background growing up on a small farm and her academic work in alternative agriculture. Bevacqua selected Europe as her research site because the region has developed stronger policy support for food systems issues, including organic agriculture standards, pesticide regulation, and circular economy initiatives. Her goal is to understand how these policies function in practice and determine which elements could be adapted for the U.S. context.

Investigating Foreign Investment and Indigenous Communities in Argentina

Mia Osmonbekov, a Barrett, The Honors College graduate and current graduate student in journalism and mass communication at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, will spend nine months in Argentina’s northwestern provinces of Salta and Jujuy. Her research focuses on the effects of Chinese investments in lithium mining and solar energy projects on Indigenous communities in the region.

This project supports Osmonbekov’s long-term career objective of becoming a foreign correspondent covering China’s influence in the Lithium Triangle—the lithium-rich region spanning Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile. Her interest in Argentina developed during a 2024 internship at an Argentine newspaper, where she became fascinated by the country’s complexities and underreported stories. The nine-month Fulbright timeline will allow her to produce nuanced reporting that goes beyond surface-level coverage of investment impacts.

Teaching English in Uzbekistan After a Career in Engineering

Cody Gillespie, a graduate student in computer science from the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, received an English Teaching Assistant (ETA) award to teach at Namangan State Pedagogical Institute in Namangan, Uzbekistan. Gillespie’s path to Fulbright is distinctive: after working as an engineer for six years following his undergraduate degree, he decided to pursue a career change that combined his longstanding passion for teaching with an international experience.

Gillespie credits ASU’s Fulbright advising process with helping him build a competitive application. He noted that the Office of National Scholarships Advisement provides a framework for helping students construct a compelling case for their candidacy, and that multiple rounds of essay feedback were instrumental in strengthening his proposal. His experience demonstrates that Fulbright awards are accessible not only to traditional students but also to professionals seeking to pivot into new directions.

Have questions? Write to us! Whether you are a current student, a recent graduate, or a working professional considering a return to academia, we can help you explore your options for international study and research.

Complete List of 2026–27 ASU Fulbright Recipients

The 19 Arizona State University students and graduates receiving Fulbright awards for the 2026–27 academic year include the following individuals, representing a range of academic levels and destination countries:

Study and Research Awards

• Michael Bencomo (bachelor’s degree) — Fulbright/Ulster University Award (United Kingdom)
• Elora Bevacqua (master’s degree) — Fulbright Schuman Award (European Union)
• Ahmet Dikyurt (doctoral degree) — Open Study/Research Award (Cyprus)
• Sarah Kim (master’s degree) — Open Study/Research Award (Barbados)
• Kristen Miller (doctoral degree) — Fulbright-Nehru Open Study/Research Award (India)
• Mia Osmonbekov (master’s degree) — Open Study/Research Award (Argentina)
• Mya Parr (bachelor’s degree) — Fulbright-LUT University Graduate Award (Finland)
• Lindsey Rothrock (master’s degree) — Open Study/Research Award (Taiwan)
• Priscilla Villalobos Ixcotoyac (master’s degree) — Open Study/Research Award (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
• August Westby (master’s degree) — Open Study/Research Award (Slovenia)
• Anistynn Mendez (master’s degree) — Open Study/Research Award (Germany)

English Teaching Assistant Awards

• Celeste Bryant (bachelor’s degree) — Germany
• Cody Gillespie (master’s degree) — Uzbekistan
• Rose Jacket (bachelor’s degree) — South Korea
• Sabrina Liu (bachelor’s degree) — Taiwan
• Taty’Ana Melchor (bachelor’s degree) — Thailand
• Alanna Rothell (bachelor’s degree) — Timor-Leste
• Millicent Yurong (bachelor’s degree) — Indonesia
• Deniza Toma (master’s degree) — Romania

How to Prepare a Competitive Fulbright Application at ASU

Students considering applying for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program should understand that successful applications require months of preparation. The campus deadline for ASU’s next Fulbright competition is September 1, which means prospective applicants need to begin developing their proposals well in advance.

Key Steps for Prospective Applicants

Connect with ONSA early: The Lorraine W. Frank Office of National Scholarships Advisement is the primary resource for ASU students pursuing Fulbright awards. Meeting with an advisor early in the process allows you to discuss your interests, identify potential host countries and affiliations, and develop a realistic timeline for proposal development.

Identify a clear, feasible project: Fulbright proposals must demonstrate both academic merit and cultural sensitivity. Successful applicants articulate a specific research question or teaching goal, explain why the chosen country is the appropriate location for their work, and show how their project will contribute to mutual understanding between the United States and the host community.

Build relevant experience: While not all Fulbright applicants have extensive international experience, strong applications typically show some foundation in the proposed field of study or work. Language proficiency, prior research experience, teaching background, or relevant coursework all strengthen a candidate’s profile.

Allow time for revision: As Cody Gillespie noted, the essay refinement process involves multiple rounds of feedback. Applicants who start early have the advantage of incorporating substantive revisions rather than making last-minute edits that address only surface-level issues.

Explore our related articles for further reading on national scholarship opportunities, study abroad programs, and strategies for building a competitive graduate school application.

The Long-Term Value of Fulbright Experience for ASU Graduates

While the Fulbright award itself provides funding for a defined period—typically ranging from six months to one year—the benefits extend well beyond the grant term. Fulbright alumni frequently report that their international experience influenced their career paths, expanded their professional networks, and gave them a competitive edge in both academic and non-academic job markets.

For ASU graduates specifically, the Fulbright experience complements the university’s emphasis on innovation and public service. Recipients return to the United States with concrete research findings, cross-cultural communication skills, and a deeper understanding of how global challenges are addressed in different national contexts. These competencies are increasingly valued by employers in fields ranging from international development and diplomacy to technology and environmental policy.

Arizona State University’s continued success in producing Fulbright award recipients reflects both the quality of its academic programs and the effectiveness of its scholarship advising infrastructure. For current and prospective students who are interested in global research, international study, or teaching abroad, the Fulbright program represents one of the most prestigious and well-supported pathways available.

Share your experiences in the comments below if you have participated in the Fulbright program or are currently preparing an application. Your insights may help other ASU students navigate their own international scholarship journeys.