Home » News » IIE’s 2025 Highlights

IIE’s 2025 Highlights

STEM Scholarships, AI Integration, and Workforce Development Worldwide  

For over a century, the Institute of International Education (IIE) has been a trusted partner for implementing the most prestigious international educational exchange programs. Today —as we forge ahead into a new era of rapid tech innovation, skills adaption, and scientific breakthroughs—we are honored to continue designing and implementing bold educational, leadership, and training programs for a more secure and prosperous future. In addition, with support from institutional partners and individual donors, we continue to help scholars, students, and artists access life-changing opportunities, enabling them to pursue their dreams despite all odds.  

To our sponsors, donors, partners, members, and friends: thank you for your vision, generosity, and partnership in 2025. We look forward to working with you to continue empowering future leaders in the U.S. and around the world. Enjoy IIE’s 2025 highlights.    

Empowering Global Talent  

IIE continued to administer international exchange programs across 180+ countries, supporting 27,000+ students, scholars, and professionals, including 8,200 American students studying abroad. These initiatives—supported by our U.S. and international network of offices, including in Bangkok, Mexico City, and New Delhi—strengthen global leadership, economic resilience, and career readiness. 

Championing STEM and Innovation  

In 2025, we accelerated efforts to champion STEM education, AI innovation, and build a future-ready global workforce. We launched transformative STEM scholarships and supported AI-focused programs to prepare talent for tech, medicine, and research careers.

Programs include:

  • Medtronic SPARK Scholarship, fostering breakthroughs in healthcare technology,
  • Google DeepMind AI Master’s Scholarship and Generation Google Scholarship, investing in emerging leaders in artificial intelligence and computer science, 
  • Korea-U.S. Special Exchange Program for STEM students (KORUS), leading site visits to top U.S. tech and research hubs, helping to create pathways for STEM careers and international collaboration,
  • The Heritage Horizon Program, advancing research capacity in partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission and SOAS University of London, and
  • NYU Abu Dhabi, connecting top talent with world-class learning across a range of fields, including 10+ STEM majors.
IIE CEO Jason Czyz and IIE EVP Jonah Kokodyniak visit KIAT to meet President Byung-Joo Min. KIAT partners with IIE to administer enrichment field trips as part of the Korea-U.S. Special Exchange Program (KORUS) for STEM program. 
KORUS students engage in an experiential learning activities at Georgia Tech University.
IIE administers Generation Google Scholarships for talented students across North America, Africa, Asia, and Europe. 
IIE was selected to administer the Medtronic Spark Scholarship, which will provide financial assistance and career advising to students pursuing careers in health tech.  
IIE partners with universities in 11 countries to administer the merit-based selection process of Google DeepMind Master’s AI Scholarships. 
IIE’s Mexico City office provided fellowship management and support services for NextGen Service Fellows assigned to Latin America and the Caribbean.
IIE partnered with the Heritage Commission and KAUST to conduct an Underwater Cultural Heritage training course this year. 
The 20th anniversary of IIE’s office in New Delhi was celebrated during a reception, co-hosted by Rutgers University, at the APAIE Conference in March.  
The IIE Bangkok team co-hosted the Global Task Force Meeting on Education Pathways with 60+ participants focusing on improving educational access among displaced students.
The outreach & recruitment team continued to leverage IIE’s presence in Mexico, visiting 16 states and resulting in the region’s highest number of NYU Abu Dhabi applicants and admits. 
    Building a Future-Ready Workforce  

    Through strategic partnerships, IIE connects education, industry, and government leaders to shape global career pathways. In 2025:  

    • We led U.S. higher education delegations to Thailand and Vietnam to expand multilateral STEM partnerships,  
    • Delivered exclusive resources to 10,000+ IIENetwork members, fostering collaboration among 1,500 organizations worldwide; approximately 500 registered for the 2025 IIENetwork Engagement Series, webinars for learning and discussion, and
    • Published 19 research reports, delivering trusted data and analysis on the latest in international education, including the integration of AI, study abroad, and the future of work.  

    Reports included:

    Mirka Martel, IIE’s Head of Research, Evaluation & Learning, attended the WISE Summit in Doha to discuss the report, Navigating Skills Adaptation: Integrating AI in Higher Education.  
    For a second consecutive year, IIE led its signature International Academic Partnership Program (IAPP) with a focus on Thailand. It included a study tour throughout Thailand for 20+ university leaders from both the U.S. and Thailand. 
    In partnership with the AIFS Foundation, IIE released the report, Globally Mobile Youth: Trends in International Secondary Students in the United States, 2014-2024, during the NAFSA Annual Conference in San Diego, California. 
    As part of IAPP Vietnam, 40+ senior leaders from 21 U.S. universities embarked on a study tour of Vietnam to forge new partnerships and strengthen academic collaboration with their Vietnamese counterparts. 
    At the NAFSA Annual Conference, Leah Mason engages with partners in the Project Atlas® global research initiative. 
    IIE CEO Jason Czyz speaks with Diana Kartika Jahja, Executive Director of the Indonesian International Education Foundation (IIEF), IIE’s in-country affiliate. 
    IIE CEO Jason Czyz joined co-panelists Shanti Lasminingsih Poesposoetjipto and Prof. Ir. Nizam Nizam to discuss the skills needed for the future of work at IIEF’s Beyond Employability panel in Jakarta.  
    The Scholar Rescue Fund presented the IIE Century Medal to Tampere University in Finland in recognition of their extraordinary efforts to support threatened scholars.
    Jane Gatewood, Ph.D., Vice Provost for Global Engagement at Emory University, received IIE’s SIO of the Year Award.
      Investing in Education for All  

      IIE continues to promote global learning. This year:

      • The American Passport Project celebrated its fifth anniversary, helping a total of 4,700+ U.S. college students obtain passports—a critical first step toward studying abroad.  
      • Issued 100 emergency grants this year, supporting learners impacted by natural disasters and conflicts. We’ve awarded $7.5 million in Emergency Student Fund grants since the program’s founding in 2010.  
      • Supported 200+ Scholar Rescue Fund and Artist Protection Fund fellows to continue conducting scientific research and creating life-changing art in safety.  
      • Awarded 170+ Odyssey Scholarships for students displaced from 20 countries to pursue higher education at universities around the world. 
      IIE celebrated five years of the American Passport Project this year. To date, nearly 5,000 Pell-eligible college students have received grants to cover the expense of applying for a U.S. passport. 
      With grants from the IIE Emergency Student Fund, students like Jana El Masri can meet their immediate educational expenses—even when emergencies strike at home. 
      Paleontologist Sophie Bakayeva, Ukraine, completed her IIE Scholar Rescue Fund fellowship at the Institute of Paleobiology of the Polish Academy of Sciences in 2025. 
      At Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, IIE Scholar Rescue Fund fellow Dr. Yahia Tahir, a scholar of archaeology and zoology, is documenting the impact of Sudan’s war on archaeological artifacts while contributing to his host institution. 
      With an Odyssey Scholarship, Talaja Israel will graduate from Daystar University in Kenya with an MBA in Project Management. Born in Sudan, Talaja fled to Kenya at age 17. 
      Manal Awad, Palestine, a 2025 Artist Protection Fund Fellow (above, center) with hosts in Thessaloniki, Greece. 
        Recognizing Excellence  

        From awarding Heiskell Awards for Innovation in International Education to honoring global partners with IIE Century Medals, we celebrate those driving educational diplomacy and workforce development.  

        Looking Ahead  

        As technology reshapes economies, IIE remains committed to advancing prosperity, security, and innovation through international education and STEM programs. Together with our partners, we will continue to empower the next generation of STEM leaders and global citizens.  

        Public Affairs

        CONTACTS