The US government has awarded Fulbright scholarships to 85 Pakistani students and researchers for pursuing master’s and PhD programs at universities across the United States.
In Pakistan, the US government’s flagship educational exchange program, Fulbright, is administered by the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP).
The program is jointly funded by the governments of the United States and Pakistan and aims to equip Pakistani students with academic and professional skills to address challenges faced by Pakistan and the wider region.
Scholarship recipients will have access to world-class faculty and advanced research facilities in the United States. The program also seeks to strengthen ties between the two countries by promoting mutual understanding and long-term academic and professional relationships.
To prepare students for their departure to the US, USEFP organized a two-day pre-departure orientation program in Islamabad.
Addressing the event, US Chargé d’Affaires Andy Halse said Pakistan hosts one of the largest Fulbright programs in the world, describing it as a direct reflection of the strong partnership between the two countries.
He said educational exchanges represent one of the most effective forms of diplomacy and that every student selected for the program had earned the opportunity through hard work, talent and commitment.
Halse said the 250th anniversary of US independence marks the beginning of a new chapter in US-Pakistan relations, which would be shaped further by these students. He added that scholarship recipients would build new partnerships, promote innovation and contribute to the future direction of bilateral ties.
The 2026 Fulbright scholars represent all provinces of Pakistan and will pursue studies in diverse fields, including engineering, artificial intelligence, business, finance, public policy and social sciences.
This year, 71 students have been selected for master’s programs and 14 for PhD programs, while six Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) fellows will also begin their exchange programs this autumn.
The scholarships cover tuition fees, travel expenses, monthly stipends and health insurance.
USEFP Executive Director Dr Peter Moran said the Fulbright program not only supports academic activities in important fields but also helps participants build connections with American communities, exchange cultural experiences and promote greater understanding between Pakistanis and Americans.
Since 2005, nearly 3,000 Pakistanis have received Fulbright scholarships under the US government-funded program, making it one of the most successful educational partnerships between the two countries.
