Number of recipients
In addition to being a prestigious academic exchange program, the Fulbright Program is designed to expand and strengthen relationships between the people of the United States and citizens of other nations and to promote international understanding and cooperation. To support this mission, Fulbright Scholars may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host community, in addition to their primary activities.
Research or Teaching/Research in scholar's area of specialization.
Teaching in Pakistan may consist of short courses, informal teaching, and workshops. Projects involving collaboration with Pakistani scholars are possible. Scholars will be expected to give at least one presentation per month in their area of expertise and at least one per month that relates to the United States.
Scholars may give more lectures if they wish, including lectures on their research. Scholars may be invited to give guest lectures or workshops by the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad.
At this time awards are restricted to Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, and Faisalabad. Applications for other cities or regions of Pakistan will not be considered. Not all institutions in these cities are approved to host U.S. scholars. Flexibility as to host is helpful. Applicants are advised to first consult with the Fulbright Commission, the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP), before selecting a host institution for their proposed project. They may do so by emailing saleem@usefp.org and zulfiqar@usefp.org.
Two to four months
Grants may begin any time after October 1, 2026. Grants must be completed by August 31, 2027.
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
All teaching will be in English; additional language proficiency is not required.
For research, language fluency sufficient to complete the project is recommended.
Teaching/Research and Research applicants: if research will be conducted in a language other than English, the language proficiency self-evaluation within the application is required; the language proficiency report external evaluation is not required.
Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree preferred, and at least three years’ experience teaching in higher education. Professionals with an M.A. or M.S. are required to have at least seven years of relevant professional experience as well as a high level of academic or professional achievement.
Applicants without prior Pakistan experience are especially encouraged.
Applications are invited from all disciplines, except clinical medicine.
The U.S.-Educational Foundation in Pakistan (Fulbright Commission)
For more information about universities in Pakistan:
For more information on applying, including alumni perspectives, please view our webinars.
Email the South and Central Asia Team with questions about applying.
$4,400 per month (includes $500 to be paid in local currency)
Monthly allowance includes housing. Grantees are required to live in housing approved by USEFP in consultation with the U.S. Embassy's Regional Security Office.
Dependents are not permitted to accompany grantees to Pakistan.
Up to $1,000 for grants of three months or less and up to $2,000 for grants longer than three months, provided on a reimbursable basis for specific allowable, incidental expenses related to the project.
South and Central Asia Fulbright Regional Travel Grant
With additional funding provided by the United States Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, during their grant period, Fulbright Scholars in the South and Central Asia (SCA) region may apply for a regional travel grant to engage in a variety of activities at academic institutions or non-profit organizations in eligible SCA countries (Bangladesh, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan). Activities that U.S Scholars may engage in include: faculty and student lectures, graduate or faculty seminars, conferences, curriculum development, public lectures, panel presentations, needs assessment, or some combination thereof. Scholars in the arts may be invited to give master classes or recitals, participate in exhibitions or workshops, or consult with cultural institutions. Activities may not include research. This grant will cover travel to and from the destination and lodging may be offered by the hosting institution. Scholars may only apply for this grant once they are in country on their Fulbright grant, and as funds are limited, may only participate in one Regional Travel Grant during their Fulbright grant.
Before traveling to another country on a Regional Travel Grant, it is important to confirm trip details with the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section or Fulbright Commission in that country.
Final grant amounts will be determined prior to the start of the academic year and are subject to the availability of funds. The United States Department of State and the Fulbright Commission in the host country reserve the right to alter, without notice, participating countries, number of awards and allowances.
Bordered by Iran, Afghanistan, China, India, and the Arabian Sea, Pakistan is at the heart of the Indus Valley. Its complex, multicultural, and multiethnic population is the world’s fifth largest at approximately 250 million. The population is predominantly Muslim and more than half is rural. English is the language of higher education in Pakistan as well as an official language of the government of Pakistan.
Among Pakistan’s national priorities are improving access to and quality of education and healthcare, particularly higher education administration and nursing education. Nationwide, there are approximately 200 degree-granting universities. Enrollment and research productivity are increasing. As a long-standing Fulbright Commission, the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) has strong relationships with reputable higher education institutions in Pakistan and will work closely with the grantee to find an appropriate host institution and initial contacts for their project. With English as the official language of higher education, U.S. scholars in Pakistan find communication with students and faculty relatively easy.
Project clearance from the government of Pakistan is required for all Fulbright U.S. Scholar grantees and has been difficult to obtain in recent years. In addition, due to the overall deteriorating security situation in Pakistan, grants to Pakistan are contingent on the U.S. Embassy’s determination of the security situation and the ability of the scholar to obtain a visa. Scholars should not make any life decisions until a visa appropriate for the Fulbright grant is secured.
Since 2005, Pakistan has had the world’s largest Fulbright Student Program, sending about 150 students per year from Pakistan to the United States for advanced degrees. Pakistan and the United States are committed to increasing the number of American scholars teaching and conducting research in Pakistan. By promoting people-to-people engagement through education, the Fulbright Program increases understanding, builds enduring ties between individuals and institutions, and enhances the avenues for cooperation on local, regional and global issues of shared importance.
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.
In the project statement, applicants should indicate if funding from the American Institute of Pakistan Studies, American Institute of Indian Studies, or other sources is expected to be received or has been received recently.
Applicants recommended for further consideration will be invited to telephone or Skype interviews with the Fulbright Commission in Pakistan (The U.S. Educational Foundation in Pakistan, USEFP) staff in early winter 2025.
Research Clearance/No-Objection Certificate
Candidates must demonstrate cultural awareness in their application and propose a project that is respectful of local customs.
Selected participants are required to work with USEFP to apply and be approved for a no-objection certificate (NOC) prior to undertaking research in Pakistan under the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program. It is critical that candidates have flexibility in their start date and understand the challenges that can accompany this process, which may result in the NOC not being approved.