A Year in the Power of International Education

At IIE, we are privileged to steward many of the most esteemed and effective scholarship and workforce development programs around the world. We would like to thank our sponsors, donors, partners, and friends for their dedication to opening minds and enabling people to go beyond building connections to solving problems together.  

Our community of supporters helped us accomplish the extraordinary this year. Join the IIE family and help ensure our work continues strong in 2025 with a year-end gift. 

Enjoy IIE’s 2024 highlights!

Advancing Scholarship  

As a leading organization furthering international education, IIE is committed to advancing scholarship. We do this not only by supporting approximately 28,000 students and scholars across the globe each year, but also by producing expert research on best practices and trends in international higher education.  

• Authored and published the 75^th Annual Open Doors Report, the leading report detailing international student and scholar mobility in the United States  

• Welcomed 142 Humphrey Fellows to 13 universities across the U.S. for the 2024-25 academic year 

• Partnered with the Qatar Foundation’s WISE initiative and seven universities to form the first research consortium to explore the role of AI in higher education and skills development   

• Led Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors on their first visit to Capitol Hill to speak to leaders about their experiences 

• Strengthened the conversation around Arctic research and security by bringing together scholars for Fulbright Arctic IV 

• Continued to administer the Language Flagship Initiative and the Boren Awards for International Study on behalf of the National Security Education Program 

• Edited and launched the ‘Weaving Journeys of Social Change and Impact: Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program’ report. This volume serves as a testament to lessons learned from the International Fellowship Program’s impact and the research process of measuring global leadership and social change. 

• Implemented programming for the Department of Defense’s ProjectGO Initiative 

Building Economies  

IIE builds economies by preparing students and professionals to succeed in the global economy. We do this by working with governments and corporations to recruit talent and develop an educated workforce. 

• Led an International Academic Partnership Program to Thailand and a leadership delegation to India to facilitate partnerships between universities in these countries and the United States 

• Launched Strategic Partnership​s​ for Advancing Research and Knowledge (SPARK), a USAID-funded program that program enables U.S. universities and local institutions in countries where USAID works to address critical research questions and meet the needs of the international development community 

• Kicked off the 2024 TechWomen program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, which provides mentorships and support for the next generations of women leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)  

• Awarded the Quad Fellowship to 50 students from Australia, India, Japan, the United States, and ASEAN countries, to pursue graduate degrees in 16 different STEM fields 

• Funded five IIE Centennial Fellows to collaborate with communities around the world on climate actions that protect ecosystems and strengthen economies 

Responding to Global Crises 

IIE responded to global crises around the world this year, from Latin America to Eurasia. When protracted crises like war, natural disasters, or economic or political upheaval affect a nation, IIE helps as many people as possible access life-changing academic, research, and artistic opportunities, enabling them to pursue their goals despite the incredible challenges they face. 

• Announced IIE’s largest combined gift of $33M to support IIE’s flagship crisis response programs 

• Introduced the third and largest cohort of Odyssey Scholars, including 25 women and 15 men from 11 countries 

• Provided more than 115 fellowships through IIE’s Scholar Rescue Fund to threatened and displaced scholars unable to continue their work in their home countries 

• Furthered the work of programs like the Artist Protection Fund, which empowers artists like painter Shatha Altowai from Yemen to continue their work in safe, supportive environments 

• Awarded 106 Emergency Student Fund grants totaling more than $220K to students from Bangladesh, Gaza, Israel, Kenya, Lebanon, Venezuela, and the West Bank 

• Reconvened the IIE Scholar Rescue Fund Forum to share sustainable models for supporting threatened and displaced scholars 

Promoting Access to Opportunity  

We advocate for all students to gain access to higher education – regardless of background – and provide individuals with opportunities to gain the skills and global knowledge needed to transform their communities and build economies. 

• Granted 51 U.S. higher education institutions IIE American Passport Project awards, to enable Pell-eligible students the funding to obtain their U.S. passport 

• Launched the Global Community for Women’s Leadership (GCWL) and celebrated its inaugural cohort. IIE’s GCWL supports women by connecting them across a range of fields, and at all stages of their careers and life experiences, to mentor and support each other in closing the leadership gap 

• Became the implementing partner of #GenerationGoogle Scholarships, scholarships of up to $10,000 awarded to college students from historically marginalized communities pursuing computer science degrees 

• Celebrated the one-year anniversary of the launch of IIE’s Center for Access and Equity 

• Signed a memorandum of understanding with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities to expand access to international education for Hispanic-Serving Institutions and Hispanic identifying students. 

• Cemented its partnership with the Council for Opportunity in Education to expand college study abroad opportunities for low-income and first-generation students, as well as students with disabilities. 

IIE’s work in 2024 would be impossible without our numerous supporters, sponsors, partners, and friends. We thank you for your dedication and zeal for international education and look forward to furthering our relationships and work in 2025.