Fulbright Board Members, Alumni, Friends, and Donors, joined the ceremony and listened to the remarks of the speakers. 

_{Artemis A. Zenetou, Fulbright Executive Director, opening the ceremony}

U.S. Embassy in Athens:

Fulbright represents the very best of the U.S.-Greece relationship.  It strengthens ties between our countries, inspires collaboration, and builds a brighter future for both nations.  This is only possible thanks to the exceptional support of our Greek Government partners – particularly the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs – and to the tireless work of Fulbright Greece.  We extend our sincere gratitude to Artemis Zenetou and her team for the exceptional work they do on behalf of the Fulbright program.

 We salute all the American and Greek scholars gathered tonight and send our best wishes for a strong academic year ahead!

_{Remarks from Nikolaos Papaioannou - Deputy Minister for Higher Education}

 “It is a great pleasure to be here with you today in this inspiring event, on behalf of the Minister Sofia Zacharaki, as a Deputy Minister for Higher Education of the Greek Government but also as a former Rector of the country’s largest University.

This is an important ceremony, dedicated to the Fulbright Scholarship Award. An award that highlights the values of internationalization and openness, regarding research and innovation within our higher education institutions.

These values are fundamental to the strategic vision we hold in the Ministry of Education for the future. We believe that by enabling our students and scientists to visit Universities and research centers in the United States, we are not only empowering individual careers but also promoting the standing of Greek higher education on the world stage. In an era where knowledge knows no borders, the engagement of our people with the international scientific community is not just desirable, it is essential. Moreover, it is an opportunity to launch new collaborations among the two countries on the matter of science and innovation, to drive academic excellence, to promote diversity of thought and to accelerate the production of impactful and high-quality research.

At the Ministry of Education, we are proud to support the Fulbright Scholarship Award Program. It reflects our shared commitment to education, research, and the promotion of international collaboration. We remain firmly committed to continuing our support, and deeply value the long-standing and fruitful cooperation between our two countries, sealed by such a bilateral Memorandum of Cooperation. It is a partnership that continues to grow stronger through initiatives such as this one.

I also want to express our appreciation for the valuable activity of Fulbright Greece throughout all these years. Since 1948, its role has been instrumental in managing thousands of scholarships awarded and in creating opportunities and building bridges between the two countries.

Finally, let me express my sincere congratulations to all the scholarship awardees!

May this award be the beginning of a long and impactful path in research, innovation and collaboration!”

_{Remarks from Bonna Wescoat - Director of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens}

_{U.S. and Greek Program Coordinators, Nicholas Tourides and Els Hanappe, announcing the names of the 2025-2026 U.S. and Greek Fulbright scholarship recipients}

 ^{_{Photo credits: Elias Cosindas}}