UNITED STATES EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION IN PAKISTAN (USEFP)
USEFP Fulbright Scholarship
full · masters, phd
- Fully funded master's and PhDAward type
- ~US$50,000 / year (est.)Estimated total support
- Open to all fields except clinical medicineEligible study
- No application feeCost to apply
- GRE 145+ per section requiredTest requirement
- United StatesWhere you study
At a glance
full
Funding
€65k
Max amount
Feb 28, 2027
Deadline
Pakistan
Country
United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP)
Provider
The USEFP Fulbright Scholarship is the Pakistan country programme of the U.S. government's Fulbright Foreign Student Program, administered by the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) and funded by the U.S. Department of State. It funds Pakistani citizens to pursue master's and PhD degrees at universities across the United States in almost any academic field, with clinical medicine the main exclusion. There are no application fees, and master's and PhD candidates are not required to hold prior work experience, except MBA applicants who need a minimum of 2 years. Master's applicants need a 4-year bachelor's degree (16 years of formal education), while PhD applicants need 18 years of education. All applicants must sit the GRE General test, scoring at least 145 in each section under the current scale, and submit the Duolingo English Test in place of TOEFL. The award is fully funded, covering tuition, required textbooks, return airfare, a monthly living stipend, health insurance, visa fees and a settling-in and computer allowance, with USEFP supporting candidates through the J-1 visa process. The application cycle for U.S. entry typically closes around late February of the year before travel. Because exact stipend rates, test thresholds and deadlines change each year, confirm the current-cycle figures on the official USEFP Fulbright page before you apply.
What's covered
- Tuition fees — Full payment of university tuition and mandatory fees at the U.S. host institution for the duration of the master's or PhD programme.
- Living stipend — A monthly maintenance allowance to cover accommodation, food and daily costs; combined annual support is estimated at roughly ~US$50,000 (est.) and varies by city and degree level.
- Airfare — Return international airfare between Pakistan and the United States at the start and end of the grant.
- Health insurance — Accident and sickness coverage under the U.S. Department of State exchange-visitor health benefit plan for the grant period.
- Textbooks and allowances — Coverage of required textbooks plus a one-time settling-in allowance and a computer allowance, estimated at about ~US$1,500 (est.) combined.
- Visa fees and support — Payment of J-1 visa fees and dedicated USEFP assistance through visa interviews and pre-departure orientation.
How to apply
Applications are submitted online through the USEFP Fulbright portal during the annual call, after which USEFP runs interviews, GRE-based shortlisting and university placement.
- Check eligibility — Confirm your citizenship, level of education (16 years for master's, 18 for PhD) and that your intended field is eligible.
- Sit the GRE — Register for and complete the GRE General test, aiming for at least 145 in each section, and take the Duolingo English Test.
- Complete the online form — Fill in the USEFP Fulbright online application accurately, including your study objective and proposed field.
- Upload documents — Submit three reference letters, your GRE score report and scanned academic transcripts as required.
- Interview and placement — Shortlisted applicants attend USEFP interviews; selected candidates are then placed at U.S. universities and supported through the J-1 visa process.
Eligibility
CitizenshipApplicants must be citizens of Pakistan; dual U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents are not eligible.
Master's educationA 4-year bachelor's degree, or a bachelor's plus master's totalling 16 years of formal education, from an accredited institution.
PhD educationA bachelor's plus master's degree totalling 18 years of formal education from an accredited institution.
TestsAll applicants must take the GRE General test (minimum 145 in each section under the current scoring scale) and submit the Duolingo English Test.
Work experienceNot required for most fields; MBA applicants must have at least 2 years of relevant work experience.
Clinical medicine is excluded. Recent graduates are encouraged to apply, and selection is open to candidates from all regions and provinces of Pakistan.
Eligible countries
Pakistan
Deadlines
Master's and PhD, U.S. entry 2028~28 February 2027 (est.)
Selection
Candidates are screened on academic record, GRE performance, the quality of the study objective and references, and an interview with the USEFP selection panel. Strong applicants are then nominated for placement, and final awards depend on securing admission to a suitable U.S. university and clearing the J-1 visa process.
Verified sources
- USEFP Fulbright Program - official pageusefp.orgofficial
About the provider
The United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) is a binational commission established in 1950 and jointly funded by the governments of Pakistan and the United States. It administers the Fulbright and other exchange programmes in Pakistan, advising students and managing selection and placement.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who can apply for the USEFP Fulbright Scholarship?
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Pakistani citizens who hold a 4-year bachelor's degree (16 years of education) for master's study, or a bachelor's plus master's (18 years) for PhD study, from an accredited institution.
Is the scholarship fully funded?
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Yes. It covers tuition, required textbooks, return airfare, a monthly living stipend, health insurance, visa fees and a settling-in and computer allowance.
Is there an application fee?
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No. There is no fee to apply for the Fulbright Scholarship through USEFP.
Do I need work experience?
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No work experience is required for most fields. MBA applicants are the exception and must have at least 2 years of relevant work experience.
Which degree levels are funded?
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The programme funds master's and PhD study at U.S. universities.
What test scores do I need?
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All applicants must take the GRE General test, scoring at least 145 in each section under the current scale, and submit the Duolingo English Test instead of TOEFL.
Can I study clinical medicine?
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No. Clinical medicine is excluded, although most other academic fields are open.
What is the application deadline?
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The cycle typically closes around late February of the year before travel; for the next intake this is estimated at ~28 February 2027 (est.). Confirm the exact date on the USEFP site.
How much is the living stipend?
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USEFP pays a monthly maintenance allowance set by city and degree level; total annual support is estimated at roughly ~US$50,000 (est.). Check the official page for current rates.
Does USEFP help with the U.S. visa?
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Yes. USEFP supports selected candidates through the J-1 exchange-visitor visa process, including interview preparation and pre-departure orientation.
When would I travel to the United States?
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After results are announced and the visa is approved, scholars typically begin travelling in the northern-hemisphere summer of the following year.
Where do I apply?
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Applications are submitted online through the official USEFP Fulbright page; confirm the current-cycle link and figures there before applying.