The future of the Fulbright scholarship program, which has provided numerous talented Pakistani students with opportunities to study at prestigious U.S. universities, is now in jeopardy following a funding freeze imposed by the Trump administration on “non-essential” federal programs.

The recent announcement regarding the discontinuation of a separate undergraduate exchange initiative the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (UGRAD-Pakistan)—has further disheartened aspiring students.

The Fulbright program, long regarded as a flagship of U.S.-Pakistan academic exchanges, has remained in limbo since February, when the State Department abruptly halted all cultural and academic exchanges managed by its Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA).

Initially described as a temporary 15-day freeze, this suspension has extended beyond two months without any official communication regarding its resumption.

According to the Institute of International Education (IIE), which administers the Fulbright program, many employees are currently on furlough.

Scholars who are already in the U.S. under the Fulbright program have also received notices indicating that their stipend payments will be affected by the ongoing funding freeze.

Despite this uncertainty, the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) has proceeded to accept applications for the 2026 cycle, although insiders believe the program’s resumption appears unlikely.

The Fulbright program has been particularly significant in Pakistan, supporting both Master’s and PhD students, along with offering a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant fellowship.

Since its inception in 1951, over 4,000 Pakistani students have benefited from the scholarship.

In a recent announcement, USEFP confirmed the closure of the Global UGRAD-Pakistan Program, which had allowed over 100 students annually to attend U.S. colleges for non-degree academic studies.

While the exact reasons for this shutdown remain unclear, USEFP recognized the disappointment it may cause to students and encouraged them to seek alternative exchange opportunities.

Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed expressed his disappointment over the program’s termination, noting its significance for Pakistani students. He emphasized that those currently studying in the U.S. should be permitted to complete their degrees.

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The uncertainty surrounding the Fulbright program and other exchange initiatives has heightened anxiety among Pakistani students in the U.S., with many fearing that stricter visa regulations and shifting political sentiments may jeopardize their academic pursuits.

Notably, data from the 2023-24 academic year indicates a 16% increase in Pakistani students enrolled in U.S. institutions, solidifying Pakistan’s position as the 15th-largest source of international students in the country.