Julian Gillilan, a doctoral candidate in the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Department of History, has accepted a Fulbright-Mach Award from the Fulbright U.S. Student Program for the 2026-27 academic year. He will travel to Vienna, Austria, to perform dissertation research in various archives as an affiliate of the University of Vienna and Central European University.
Gillilan’s research interests include 19th and 20th century central European history and Austrian studies. His dissertation research, under the advisement of Gerald Steinacher, James A. Rawley Professor of History, explores Austrian Pan-Germanism and the concept of cultural despair in fin de siècle Habsburg Austria. He recently completed doctoral comprehensive field exams in 19th and 20th century central European history, modern European history, genocide studies and the history of empire. Last summer, Gillilan was a fellow at the Summer Institute on the Holocaust and Jewish Civilization at Northwestern University. He also studied intensive Czech at the Summer School for Slavonic Studies at Palacký University in Olomouc, Czech Republic, and is returning this summer.
A native of Ashville, Ohio, Gillilan is a graduate of Bowling Green State University, where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history and German studies. He is also an alumnus of Bowling Green’s academic year abroad program in Salzburg, Austria. Prior to enrolling in the history doctoral program at Nebraska, he worked as the education abroad student adviser at Bowling Green.
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program expands perspectives through academic and professional advancement and cross-cultural dialogue. In partnership with more than 140 countries worldwide, the program offers opportunities in numerous academic disciplines to accomplished graduating college seniors, graduate students and young professionals from all backgrounds. Participants pursue graduate study, conduct research or teach English abroad.
Including Gillilan, six Husker students and recent alumni were recommended to host countries and recognized by the U.S. National Screening Committee as finalists, alternates or semifinalists. Finalists chose whether to accept offers. Alternates are waitlisted; they may be promoted to finalist status if additional funding becomes available.
The finalists, alternates and semifinalists are organized alphabetically by hometown, with their academic major(s), country where they requested to teach and/or study, Fulbright grant type and award status:
Nebraska
Lincoln:
- Zanib Al Razaq, economics and Spanish, Mexico, Binational Business Program, semifinalist
- Evin Rasho, software engineering and data science, Finland, Fulbright-LUT University Graduate Award, finalist (declined award)
Omaha:
- Luke McDermott, political science, history and economics, United Kingdom, Fulbright-University of St. Andrews Award, semifinalist
- Katya Reason, classics and religious studies, Latvia, English Teaching Assistant Award, alternate
- Charlee Sharack, art history and criticism, United Kingdom, Fulbright-University of Edinburgh Award, semifinalist
The primary source of funding for the Fulbright Program is an annual appropriation made by Congress to the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Participating governments, host institutions, corporations and foundations in foreign countries and the United States also provide direct and indirect support. Fulbright recipients are selected based on academic or professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields. The program operates in more than 160 countries worldwide.
At Nebraska, the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships advises and nominates undergraduate candidates for 30 supported scholarships and fellowships. To learn more, students and campus community members should email Courtney Santos, director of undergraduate research and fellowships, at courtney.santos@unl.edu.
