Reception of ASEF Fellowship Recipients: Research Abroad Program 2026

Ljubljana, January 13, 2026 – The American-Slovenian Education Foundation (ASEF) announced its new generation of “Research Abroad” fellows at an official reception held at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation. In 2026, a group of selected talents will embark on 10-week research visits to the world’s most prestigious universities, where they will gain new scientific experience under the mentorship of established Slovenian professors.

Purpose of the Event

The primary purpose of the event was the official presentation and reception of the 13th generation of ASEF fellows, who will be conducting research at elite institutions worldwide in the coming months. The event also serves to strengthen ties between the academic sphere, the state, and young talents, emphasizing the importance of “brain circulation” for Slovenia’s development.

Top Talent and Academic Excellence

ASEF fellows were selected based on their academic excellence and potential to become leaders in their respective professional fields. This year’s fellows represent diverse disciplines, including medicine, computer science, physics, mathematics, electrical engineering, pharmacy, biology, and law. The program provides them with direct access to global knowledge at institutions such as Stanford, Berkeley, and Cambridge, which directly strengthens the Slovenian scientific and economic landscape upon their return.

List of 2026 Fellows:

Jakob Bratkovič – University of Wisconsin (USA), Mentor: Dr. Robert Jeraj
Jakob Fir – University of California, Berkeley (USA), Mentor: Dr. Dawn Song
Helena Godina – University of Utah (USA), Mentor: Dr. David Križaj
Eva Ivić – King’s College London (UK), Mentor: Prof. Dr. Josip Car, MD
Matej Jelenc – University of Cambridge (UK), Mentor: Dr. Mateja Jamnik
Maja Kalin – Max Planck Institute (Luxembourg), Mentor: Dr. Verica Trstenjak
Matija Kiker – University of Chicago (USA), Mentor: Dr. Luka Počivavšek
Tom Kitak – Stanford University (USA), Mentor: Dr. Jure Leskovec
Maks Koncilja – University of California, Berkeley (USA), Mentor: Dr. Uroš Seljak
Žiga Koren – University of Queensland (Australia), Mentor: Dr. Boštjan Kobe
Sebastian Korenič Tratnik – University of Southern California (USA), Mentor: Dr. Jernej Barbič
Mark David Longar – Stanford University (USA), Mentor: Dr. Jure Leskovec
Oliver Majer – Technical University of Munich (Germany), Mentor: Dr. Julia Zavadlav
Lana Prijon – University of Ottawa (Canada), Mentor: Dr. Mateja Šajna
Aljoša Škorjanc – University of Pennsylvania (USA), Mentor: Prof. Dr. Richard Aplenc, MD
Ivana Vukšinić – University College London & Francis Crick Institute (UK), Mentor: Dr. Jernej Ule
Urša Zevnik – University of California, San Francisco (USA), Mentor: Dr. Andrej Šali
Gal Zmazek – Stanford University (USA), Mentor: Dr. Jure Leskovec
Urban Železnik – Princeton University (USA), Mentor: Dr. Andrej Košmrlj

First-hand Experience and a Global Network

During the event, two fellows from the 2025 generation shared their experiences: Tomaž Jurkovič, who researched at Princeton under Dr. Andrej Košmrlj, and Zara Bunc, who visited the Francis Crick Institute under Dr. Jernej Ule. Their testimonials highlighted not only scientific progress but also the importance of personal growth in an international environment.

A Global Network Led by World-Class Experts

ASEF was founded by Dr. Jure Leskovec, a professor at Stanford University and a world-renowned expert in computer science. Under his leadership, the foundation has spent years building bridges between Slovenia and global centers of excellence.

Supporting Scientific Collaboration

The fellows were addressed by Dr. Igor Papič, Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation; Prof. Dr. Gregor Majdič, Rector of the University of Ljubljana; and Dr. Rok Sekirnik, Director of ASEF.

“ASEF fellowships for research abroad are extremely important for students, not only for the academic experience but also for personal growth. When you spend time abroad, you understand what it’s like to be a foreigner, and when you return home, you look at foreigners differently. You realize we live in a global world.” – Dr. Igor Papič

“I sincerely congratulate all ASEF fellowship recipients. These types of exchanges are vital as they allow young people to broaden their perspective—not only in their professional field but also regarding the world around them. I am convinced that most will return to Slovenia after this valuable experience and contribute to the development of our country.” – Prof. Dr. Gregor Majdič

“We are proud to welcome the 13th generation of 19 exceptional individuals. Although our fellows gain knowledge worldwide, ASEF remains a crucial bridge to the homeland; we are proud that between 70% and 80% of our fellows return to Slovenia. Proof that we recognize future leaders is seen in the recent Slovenian ‘Forbes 30 Under 30’ list, where five recipients were ASEF fellows.” – Dr. Rok Sekirnik

Highlights from the official reception of the new generation of Research Abroad fellows. Photo credit: Aleš Rosa