Photo credit: Elias Cosindas
“By deepening U.S. and Greek academic ties, we will produce graduates who are ready to face global challenges together and effectively meet the demands of our rapidly changing world.”
— George J. Tsunis, US Ambassador to Greece
“The Fulbright program is a bridge that connects Greece and the U.S., fostering the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and innovation. It has shaped the careers of countless individuals and continues to play a pivotal role in Greece’s educational and technological progress.”
— Kyriakos Pierrakakis, Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports
In October 2024, Fulbright Greece welcomed the new cohort of U.S. Fulbright Scholars and Students—from diverse backgrounds in environmental science, cybersecurity, public health, international relations, arts pedagogy, and more—while also celebrating the return of Greek Fulbright Scholars from the U.S. Business Partners reached out to Artemis A. Zenetou, Executive Director of Fulbright Greece, to find out more about the Foundation’s work in Greece.
Since 1948, Fulbright Greece has been instrumental in strengthening educational exchanges and collaboration between Greece and the United States, fostering connections that highlight Greece’s academic and cultural contributions while simultaneously promoting mutual understanding and creating connections in a complex and changing world. Through decades of scholarship and exchange, Fulbright has built a foundation of people-to-people ties that continues to support shared goals and strategic cooperation between the two nations. According to the latest Open Doors data, Greece remains a top ten destination for U.S. students during 2022-23 (a 33% increase from the previous year), with study abroad programs contributing significantly to the Greek economy.
In this Q&A Artemis A. Zenetou talks about the Foundation’s history, its work and contribution to the Greek economy and society through the decades, and the key role of partners and donors in supporting the growth of scholarship programs.
How would you describe the Fulbright program?
Fulbright is the flagship international educational and cultural exchange program of the United States in partnership with more than 160 countries worldwide. The program was created in 1946 in the aftermath of World War II, with the aim of promoting international understanding and collaboration through the exchange of persons, knowledge, and skills.
The Foundation was established in 1948 through a binational treaty, with the mandate to advance academic and cultural exchange between Greece and the United States. As the oldest Fulbright program in Europe and the second oldest worldwide, it has laid the groundwork for a lasting dialogue between academic, research, and cultural institutions and thought leaders in both countries. To date, Fulbright Greece has supported more than 6,000 Greek and US students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals to study, collaborate, exchange ideas, and address shared challenges, strengthening ties not only between Greece and the United States but also within the global Fulbright network, which spans over 160 countries. Fulbright continues to play a pivotal role in student and scholar mobility, fostering academic partnerships, and intellectual exchange.
The Fulbright scholarship program plays an important role in promoting and strengthening Greece’s international engagement. Tell us a bit about how this works and its significance for the country.
Fulbright Greece serves as a bridge between Greece and the United States, supporting the exchange of knowledge and cultural understanding between scholars from both nations. This engagement showcases Greece’s contributions to academia, the arts, and science, while also creating pathways for innovative partnerships that tackle contemporary global challenges. Attuned to the country’s evolving needs, Fulbright develops programs that support emerging fields and address critical issues. In an increasingly interconnected and competitive world, this role is essential for Greece, attracting talent, enhancing the country’s presence on the international stage, and building resilience for sustainable growth in a dynamic global landscape.
How does collaborating with organizations such as AmCham Greece help achieve these goals?
Fulbright collaborates with organizations such as the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce to expand scholarship opportunities, foster networking, and align its programs with industry needs. Initiatives such as the Fulbright Alumni Corner in the Chamber’s Business Partners magazine provide a platform to highlight Greece’s skilled human resources and expertise, showcasing alumni who are making significant contributions across key fields. These partnerships not only promote synergies but also drive workforce development, support innovation, and create exchange programs tailored to the demands of today’s global market.
What are some of the Foundation’s upcoming initiatives and future goals?
Fulbright Greece is committed to enhancing its legacy of educational and cultural exchange by actively listening to the academic community’s needs and designing responsive programs. Current initiatives include short term grants for Greek Ph.D. candidates, faculty, and researchers, which provide valuable research opportunities in the United States and promote knowledge sharing across Greek universities. Additionally, Fulbright offers immersive programs for US educators to deepen their understanding of Greek history and culture, enabling them to integrate Greek studies into US high school curricula. Moreover, the Foundation emphasizes the professional development of educators in Greek public schools through training programs that enhance teaching skills and methodologies. These train-the-trainer initiatives empower educators to share best practices within their communities, amplifying the multiplier effect across the educational landscape. By expanding access and fostering collaboration, Fulbright Greece continues to strengthen the bonds between Greece and the United States and supports the global Fulbright vision of intellectual and cultural exchange.
What is your message to organizations considering partnering with Fulbright Greece? What kind of impact can their support have?
Partnering with Fulbright presents an opportunity to contribute to a program committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in educational and cultural exchange. Support from partners enables us to empower a diverse group of emerging leaders and innovators, fostering a rich exchange of ideas that reflects the varied perspectives within both Greek and US societies. By collaborating with Fulbright Greece, partners not only help enhance the Greece-US connection but also promote a more inclusive dialogue that drives positive change in their communities. This investment cultivates a culturally vibrant, globally engaged Greece, with benefits that resonate both locally and internationally, enriching the broader global conversation.
—
BUILDING THE FUTURE THROUGH EDUCATION
Fulbright Greece provides scholarships to Greek and US citizens for study, academic research and/or lecturing in all disciplines at various educational, cultural, and research organizations in the United States and Greece respectively. Since its inception in 1948, it has awarded more than 6,000 scholarships.
Core funding is provided by the governments of the United States and the Hellenic Republic, whose support is essential for the continuity and sustainability of the scholarship programs. Fulbright Greece gratefully acknowledges the commitments of its donors, whose generous contributions support the expansion of the scholarship programs.
