Having been named a Fulbright top producer for 10 years, Iowa has no shortage of advice for prospective applicants. Here, award winners and faculty mentors give application tips.

The 2026 Provost’s Global Forum at the University of Iowa will explore how film and television build connections across cultures, religions, and generations. Through screenings, panels, and conversations with international scholars, the symposium examines storytelling in global Jewish cinema and cross-cultural narratives. The three-day event will take place April 21–23 at the Senate Chambers of the Old Capitol Museum in Iowa City.

Nicholas Cladis, adjunct assistant professor of art and papermaking, UI Center for the Book, has received a Fulbright Scholar Award to Japan, one of the most prestigious honors in international academic and cultural exchange. His project will center on Echizen, Fukui Prefecture, a region recognized worldwide as a hub of traditional Japanese papermaking.

The University of Iowa will host a virtual lecture on April 21, examining disability, reproductive technologies, and nuclear exposure in India. Dr. Misria Shaik Ali will analyze how uranium mining and medical practices shape experiences of disability and reproductive health. The free event is sponsored by the South Asian Studies Program.

The University of Iowa Center for Asian and Pacific Studies hosts a reading and discussion with acclaimed Japanese author Keiichiro Hirano in Iowa City. Hirano will read from Eclipse, his award-winning debut novel, newly available in English, followed by a Q&A with UI professor Kendall Heitzman. The event takes place on Thursday, April 23, 2026.

In this message, Dean Ganim provides updates on expanding global partnerships—particularly with institutions in Japan—and applauds the work of ISSS and Big Ten colleagues in supporting international students and scholars through the BTAA Summit.

International Programs at the University of Iowa will host the inaugural Celebrating International Student Success event on Friday, May 1, 2026, at ReUnion Brewery in Iowa City, honoring the achievements and contributions of international students and scholars.

Scholars from across the country will gather at the University of Iowa for a symposium exploring how food connects culture, identity, language, and memory. Hosted by the Center for Asian and Pacific Studies, the Food Studies Group, and International Programs, the event examines how food traditions shape communities and how food studies can be used in teaching culture and language. The free, public event requires advance registration.

The Stanley Award for International Research is given annually to outstanding University of Iowa students in all academic fields to support research abroad, learning activities in international studies and international career interests. Meet our 2026 awardees.

Shefa’a T. Tawil, a University of Iowa alumna (BS psychology ‘25) from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been awarded a U.S. Department of State Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) to study Arabic this summer in Amman, Jordan.

International Programs at the University of Iowa will host the 13th Annual Fulbright Week, April 6–10, 2026, featuring virtual workshops and information sessions to launch the 2027–2028 Fulbright U.S. Student Program competition for undergraduate and graduate students.

The Fulbright Group Presentation Session will cover award types, application tips, and the campus application process. Attendees will gain insights into navigating the Fulbright U.S. Student Program and maximizing their chances of success.