USEFP announced the opening of the 2022 Fulbright Student competition in March. Since 2005, Pakistan’s Fulbright Program is the world’s largest in terms of financial contribution from the U.S. Government. The Government of Pakistan, through the Higher Education Commission (HEC), has also provided generous support. Every year approximately 100 Pakistanis begin Master’s programs, and another 50 begin PhD studies on Fulbright scholarships at leading U.S. universities. The announcement received wide press coverage.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Fulbright Program, which has been operating in Pakistan for 71 years. The Pakistan Fulbright Student Program fully funds graduate degree study, including tuition, maintenance, insurance, and air travel. On completing their degrees, returning Fulbright participants contribute to Pakistan’s development and growth by teaching at Pakistani universities, or otherwise engaging in important civic and government service. The scholarship is merit-based, but merit is defined broadly and not restricted to grades and test scores. The application form is available online at www.usefp.org, and the application deadline is June 9, 2021.
USEFP especially welcomes applicants in the disciplines of energy, water, agriculture, public health, education, social sciences, journalism, mass communication, arts and culture management, urban and regional planning, environmental science, security and peace studies, and data science. Clinical medicine is not included in the Fulbright program.
“The U.S. government is very proud of its long partnership with Pakistan in promoting higher education for its citizens, and the Fulbright program is a highlight of this partnership. In particular, it is very important to us that Fulbright students represent the rich diversity of Pakistan. For this reason, we strongly encourage women, people with disabilities, and students from rural and underrepresented areas to apply.” Angela P. Aggeler, U.S. Embassy Chargé d’affaires
Announcing the competition, USEFP Executive Director Rita Akhtar encouraged anyone who is eligible and interested in graduate education to consider applying. She stressed that Fulbrighters come from all regions of Pakistan; the 2021 cohort, for example, was drawn from 38 different universities. She also noted that among successful applicants, some are fresh graduates, others are working professionals, and in recent years more than half are women.”
