In partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Fulbright Program, KAUST has launched the inaugural Fulbright-KAUST Graduate Award. This transformative initiative marks the first Fulbright award for a degree-seeking program in Saudi Arabia, welcoming two exceptional American students to the Kingdom and advancing collaboration through research and exchange. 

“The Fulbright-KAUST Graduate Award is a strategic initiative that enhances KAUST’s global impact, advances U.S.-Saudi academic diplomacy, and supports Saudi Vision 2030 goals of building a knowledge-driven, innovation-led economy,” said Professor Arwa Al-Aama, KAUST Vice President of Institutional Advancement. 

As the first Saudi university to host U.S. students for a full master’s degree through Fulbright, KAUST strengthens its role as a hub for talent development and collaborative research, she added. 

“While here, these Fulbrighters will gain firsthand experience of KAUST’s research environment and Saudi Arabia’s transformation, building lasting professional and cultural bridges. Upon graduation, wherever they go, they will carry with them the potential to strengthen both U.S. and Saudi development through research and innovation.” 

Rafik Mansour, Consul General of U.S. Consulate Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, said: “The groundbreaking Fulbright-KAUST Graduate Award — the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia — exemplifies the transformative power of the Fulbright Program in building bridges among nations.” 

He added: “This pioneering partnership will strengthen cultural ties and advance research collaboration between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by providing exceptional American students with the unique opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research alongside world-renowned faculty at KAUST, a premier institution that produces 52 percent of the Middle East’s published scientific research. 

“Through this initiative, we are creating limitless possibilities for future bilateral partnerships in science and innovation, one Fulbrighter at a time.” 

The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international academic exchange program. Since 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided nearly 450,000 talented and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals of all backgrounds with the opportunity to study, teach, and conduct research abroad. 

Fulbrighters exchange ideas, develop ties between the citizens of the United States and of participating countries, and strengthen American leadership in the world. Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State, with funding provided by the U.S. government. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations, and foundations around the world also provide direct and indirect support to the program. 

The Fulbright Program is highly prestigious, considered one of the world’s most recognized international exchange programs, supported by the U.S. and foreign governments. A Fulbright award signifies outstanding academic merit, leadership potential, and the ability to act as a cultural ambassador, opening doors to significant personal growth, global networking, and influential careers in various fields. 

Alumni of the Fulbright Program advance scholarship, innovation, and research and work to make a positive impact on their communities, sectors, and the world. Their members include 44 heads of state or government, 62 Nobel Laureates, 93 Pulitzer Prize winners, and 82 MacArthur Fellows. 

The program supports KAUST’s mission to attract top-tier international talent and push the boundaries of research across disciplines. It provides a fully funded STEM master’s degree over 18 to 24 months. It also contributes to Saudi Vision 2030 by strengthening global partnerships and investing in knowledge-based, innovation-driven development. 

Situated on the Red Sea and home to more than 100 nationalities, KAUST offers American students a unique window into Saudi Arabia. It also reflects the diversity of the world’s research community. The result: a multicultural experience that extends beyond the classroom, enabling cross-cultural understanding and scientific exchange. 

Exploring coral reefs and cultural connection 

“As someone from the United States, I look forward to sharing my own background and perspectives, while being open to learning from those around me,” said Kathryn Christian, one of the inaugural Fulbright-KAUST Graduate Award recipients. 

Christian earned her bachelor’s degree in environmental science from the University of Texas, Austin, and has worked on coral restoration and marine research projects globally. Christian will further pursue her passion by earning a master’s degree in marine science while in Saudi Arabia. 

“KAUST is an exceptional place for marine science. The university has world-class facilities, access to the Red Sea, and a strong research community focused on solving urgent environmental challenges. Having the Red Sea, just steps from campus, makes regular fieldwork possible, which is a huge advantage for coral reef research.” 

She added: “I also want to bring what I learn in Saudi Arabia back to my community at home. That includes not only the scientific knowledge I gain, but also the cultural experiences, relationships, and insights. Sharing those stories can help challenge stereotypes, highlight shared goals, and show the value of working together across borders to address global environmental challenges.” 

Joining Christian at KAUST for the fall 2025 semester is fellow Fulbright-KAUST awardee Emma Ryan Higgins, who studied electrical engineering and applied mathematics at North Carolina’s High Point University. 

Innovation and collaboration across borders 

The Fulbright-KAUST Graduate Award appealed to Higgins due to its emphasis on research collaboration, cultural exchange, and innovation. “It presented the perfect opportunity to both deepen my technical expertise and broaden my global perspective.” 

For Higgins, KAUST offers the ideal environment to gain the technical and international experience needed to pursue a career at the intersection of engineering and public policy, with a focus on responsible innovation in clean energy and health technology. She is especially drawn to KAUST’s electrical and computer engineering program. 

“Academically, I hope to sharpen my research skills and gain hands-on experience in designing smart, sustainable sensor systems. Personally, I look forward to immersing myself in Saudi culture — learning some of the language, visiting historical sites, and building lasting relationships across cultural lines.” 

The Fulbright-KAUST program serves as a model for educational diplomacy, with participants acting as both cultural ambassadors and scientific collaborators between the United States and the Kingdom. 

Bridging cultures through science 

Designed for exceptional U.S. students who demonstrate interest in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East region, the award recognizes those with the potential to lead, innovate, and strengthen mutual understanding between Americans and Saudis. It exemplifies how cross-border academic partnerships can bridge cultures and advance shared scientific goals. 

The initiative supports academic excellence and international collaboration, enabling recipients to focus entirely on research and learning. For Christian, KAUST brings together passionate and talented people from around the world, contributing unique perspectives to a strong and welcoming academic community. 

“I believe this cultural exposure will shape not only how I see the world but also how I engage with it, both personally and professionally.” 

Higgins anticipates unique opportunities to learn from and engage with Saudis. She also intends to support KAUST’s important scientific endeavors. “Broadly, I hope that my work contributes to creating technologies that promote public health and environmental awareness.” 

Guided by purpose 

To those considering future cohorts of the Fulbright-KAUST Award, Christian recommends approaching the opportunity with a clear research focus, identifying professors or mentors whose work aligns with their goals. If possible, she advises taking part in KAUST’s Visiting Student Research Program, as she did six months ago, to experience the campus and its resources firsthand and determine whether it fits their academic and research aspirations. 

“When I learned that KAUST would be offering the Fulbright Graduate Award for the first time, I knew it was an opportunity I wanted to pursue,” she said. “I’ve always admired Fulbright for its focus on cross-cultural exchange and academic collaboration.” 

She added: “To be able to combine that experience with continuing my research at KAUST is truly an honor, and I’m incredibly excited for what’s ahead.” 

For more information about the Fulbright Program, visit https://fulbrightprogram.org/