The future of the Fulbright scholarship program in Pakistan — a cornerstone of academic exchange between the two countries — is facing mounting uncertainty following a funding freeze by the U.S. State Department under the Trump administration.
The freeze, part of a broader suspension of what have been deemed “non-essential” federal programs, has already disrupted operations of the Fulbright program and led to the cancellation of the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (UGRAD-Pakistan), another popular initiative that sent over 100 Pakistani students annually to U.S. colleges for one-semester academic exchanges.
Since February, all academic and cultural exchanges managed by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) have been on hold. Though originally billed as a temporary 15-day suspension, the freeze has now extended for over two months without clarification from Washington on when — or if — these programs will resume.
The Institute of International Education (IIE), which administers Fulbright globally, has placed several staff members on furlough, and current Fulbright scholars in the U.S. have been notified of possible disruptions to their stipend payments as a result of the funding halt.
Despite the ongoing uncertainty, the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) has continued to accept applications for the 2026 Fulbright cohort. However, insiders suggest that the future of the program remains in jeopardy unless funding is promptly restored.
Since its launch in Pakistan in 1951, the Fulbright program has supported more than 4,000 Pakistani students pursuing Master’s, PhD, and Foreign Language Teaching Assistant fellowships at American institutions. It has long been viewed as a flagship effort in fostering educational and cultural ties between the U.S. and Pakistan.
The recent announcement of the Global UGRAD-Pakistan program’s termination has further disheartened students hoping to benefit from academic opportunities in the U.S. While the State Department has not provided a detailed explanation for the program’s closure, USEFP acknowledged the disappointment it may cause and encouraged students to explore alternative avenues.
Chairman of Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission (HEC), Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, expressed regret over the suspension of the programs. “These initiatives have been instrumental in shaping the academic and professional futures of thousands of Pakistani students,” he said. He also urged U.S. authorities to allow current Fulbright scholars to complete their degrees without disruption.
The pause in funding comes at a time of increased academic engagement between the two nations. Data from the 2023–2024 academic year shows a 16% rise in the number of Pakistani students enrolled in U.S. institutions, making Pakistan the 15th-largest source of international students in the country.
However, with growing uncertainty surrounding visa policies and international education programs, many Pakistani students and families are increasingly anxious about the future of their academic aspirations in the United States.
