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June 26, 2025

Seven UW students receive Fulbright exchange awards for study, research and teaching positions around the world

collage of seven students

Seven UW students and recent alumni were selected for Fulbright exchange awards. Top row: Emily Bassett, Thomas Key, Vincent Da, Elana Skeers. Bottom row: Sabrina Prestes Oliveira, Jack Regala and Annabella Lee.University of Washington

Seven UW students and recent alumni were awarded Fulbright U.S. Student Program scholarships for the 2025–2026 academic year, joining about 2,000 students and recent graduates from around the country to pursue graduate study, conduct research and teach English abroad.

The Fulbright scholarship program is the largest U.S. international exchange opportunity for students to pursue graduate study, advanced research and teaching in elementary and secondary schools worldwide.

“These Fulbright awards reflect the exceptional caliber of our students and underscore the University’s commitment to fostering global citizens and scholars,” said UW Vice Provost for Global Affairs Ahmad Ezzeddine. ”As the nation’s flagship international exchange program, Fulbright offers transformative opportunities for the next generation of leaders to engage meaningfully with the world.

“We are deeply grateful for the State Department’s continued investment in this vital initiative — one of our nation’s most effective tools of citizen diplomacy,” Ezzeddine continued. “Through these prestigious fellowships, our students will pursue meaningful research, service and study abroad. They’ll also represent the best of American higher education while building lasting connections that will benefit both our University and our country for years to come.”

Among this year’s recipients are four UW undergraduate students or recent alumni. They plan travel to Europe, Central Asia and Mexico to take part in graduate study, research and teaching assistantships. Three graduate-level students plan to travel to Scandinavia, Southeast Asia and South America. This year’s finalists attended all three UW campuses.

The UW also had two students — one undergraduate and one graduate level — selected as alternates.

This year’s undergraduate awardees are:

  • Annabella Li: Study and research, Germany
  • Sabrina Prestes Oliveira: English teaching award, Mexico
  • Jack Regala: English teaching award, Tajikistan
  • Elana Skeers: Trinity Laban Award in Music & Dance, United Kingdom

This year’s graduate awardees are:

  • Emily Bassett: English teaching award, Norway
  • Vincent Flores Da: Study and research, Philippines
  • Thomas Key: Study and research, Brazil

Oliveira completed her undergraduate studies at UW Bothell and Da completed his undergraduate degree at UW Tacoma. The rest of the cohort received degrees for work on UW’s Seattle campus.

For the past several years, The Chronicle of Higher Education has ranked the UW a “Top Producer” of student awardees. The Fulbright program, funded by the U.S. Department of State, provides round-trip travel, health insurance, a housing stipend and visa assistance to awardees.

Read more about this year’s UW Fulbright Student Program Finalists and the projects they will pursue abroad at the Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships & Awards website and the Graduate School’s website.

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