Introduction
The Fulbright Master’s and PhD Program provides funding for graduate study in the United States. Administered by the United States Department of State, these grants encompass tuition, required textbooks, airfare, a living stipend, and health insurance. Additionally, USEFP (United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan) assists with the visa process.
For the Master’s degree program, eligible candidates must have either a four-year Bachelor’s degree or a Bachelor’s and Master’s combination totaling 16 years of formal education from an accredited university. Recent graduates are strongly encouraged to apply, except for MBA and Public Policy/Administration applicants, who require 2 years of work experience.
For the PhD degree program, eligible applicants should possess a Master’s, M.Phil, or comparable degree (equivalent to a minimum of 18 years of formal education) from an accredited university. It is highly desirable for candidates to have work experience in teaching, research, or the public sector in Pakistan.
For both the Master’s and PhD programs, all academic disciplines are eligible, except for clinical medicine. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE General) is mandatory for all applicants. Under the new scoring system, a minimum score of 145 is required on each section of the GRE examination, with a higher score on the section most applicable to the candidate’s field of study.
Applicants must also possess a high level of fluency in spoken and written English. The Duolingo Test of English will be required from all shortlisted candidates.
All successful candidates are required to sign a contract with USEFP (United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan) and, for successful PhD candidates, a bond with the HEC (Higher Education Commission) that binds them to return to Pakistan immediately after their program in the U.S. and serve the country for the number of years equivalent to the length of their scholarship program. This contract is redeemable on a year-for-year basis, with a minimum commitment of two years; as long as a person fulfills the service requirement, he or she will pay nothing.
Cycle:
Applications are accepted each year in November, and the deadline to submit an application is around February. The application review and interview process continue until August, and the results are announced in mid-September. After selection, the university submission and placement process continue until February, and visa interviews take place until June. Departure to the U.S. commences in July and onwards, depending on the universities’ reporting dates.
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Eligibility Criteria:
- Pakistani citizens with strong academic histories, residing (throughout the process) in Pakistan and committed to returning and serving Pakistan are welcome to apply.
- All disciplines are eligible except clinical medicine. Individuals in the fields of energy, water, agriculture, health, education, environment, and climate change disciplines are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Eligible Master’s applicants will have a four-year Bachelor’s degree or a Bachelor’s and Master’s combination (16 years of formal education), and PhD applicants will have a Master’s, M.Phil., or a comparable degree (18 years of formal education) from an accredited university.
- Applicants should be prepared to complete grants without accompanying dependents, if need be.
Ineligibility:
- Persons with dual U.S./Pakistan nationality or those having a spouse, parent, or child over 18 years of age who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Employees/contractors of the Fulbright organization, the U.S. Department of State, or USAID and their spouses, children, siblings, dependents, and parents.
- People who have already availed one Fulbright award for any degree program.
- Persons already studying in the U.S. or on a work/residence/student visa in any country.
How to Apply:
A complete application package includes:
- An application form
- Three reference letters
- GRE score report
- Scanned transcripts, including an explanation of the grading scale of the university issuing the degree should be uploaded. Please note that HEC-attested documents are preferable with the application but degree and transcripts attested by the issuing authority will be acceptable at the time of application.
Incomplete applications will not be considered. An application with references and required supporting documents must be submitted online. Please note that paper applications will not be accepted.
The deadline to apply for the fully-funded US scholarship in 2025 is February 28, 2024.
