2025-26 Fulbright Irish Awardees pictured with US Ambassador to Ireland Edward S. Walsh, Director of the US & Canada Unit at the Dept of Foreign Affairs & Trade Julie Connell, Fulbright Ireland Board Chair Prof Paul Donnelly and Executive Director Dr Dara Fitzgerald.

Two Maynooth University scholars, Dr Grace Hoysted and Melissa Scully, were celebrated last night at the US Embassy as recipients of the coveted Fulbright Irish Awards.

Dr Hoysted, Assistant Professor in Environmental Biology and Sustainability, will take her cutting-edge research on plant-soil-microbe interactions to the University of Kansas. There, she’ll work with the world’s leading collection of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, advancing vital knowledge on sustainable ecosystems.

Meanwhile, Kildare native Melissa Scully, a standout Froebel-trained primary school teacher, will spend the next academic year at the University of Montana. As a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant, she’ll promote Irish language and culture, continuing her dedication to Froebel’s educational philosophy.

Maynooth University President Prof Eeva Leinonen hailed the achievements: “Having two outstanding Fulbright recipients highlights our global academic impact and commitment to sustainability and cultural education.”

US Ambassador Edward S. Walsh praised the program’s role in strengthening Ireland-US ties through education and culture, while Tánaiste Simon Harris emphasised the enduring value of personal exchanges in today’s AI-driven world.

Since 1957, the Fulbright Programme has fostered over 2,500 transatlantic exchanges, driving collaboration and understanding between Ireland and the United States.

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