Five Kansas University students or recent graduates have received Fulbright awards to research, study or teach abroad for 2016-17, KU announced Tuesday.

Sponsored by the U.S. government, the Fulbright is an international exchange program designed to increase mutual understanding between Americans and other countries. Fulbright grant recipients are chosen for academic or professional achievement and leadership potential in their fields. Grants fund travel, maintenance for one academic year, insurance and, if relevant, tuition.

KU’s new student Fulbright recipients and their destinations are:

• Sammy Badran, Eden Prairie, Minn., doctoral student in political science; will conduct research in Morocco.

• Jaron Castilleja, Lawrence, completed a master’s degree in Slavic languages and literatures in 2014; selected for a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant award for Russia.

• JoAnn Doll, Lawrence, completed bachelor of arts degrees in linguistics and in fine arts/music in 2014; selected for a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant award for Indonesia.

• Brian Turnbull, Topeka, is a doctoral student in political science; will conduct research in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.

• Ashley Velez, Brooksville, Fla., will complete a bachelor of arts degree in global and international studies and in Slavic languages and literatures, with a concentration in Russian language, in August 2016; selected for a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant award for Russia.