USEFP rejects reports of Fulbright Programme termination

ISLAMABAD: As concern mounts over the recent closure of the Global Undergraduate Exchange Programme (Global UGRAD) in Pakistan, the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) has clarified that despite the Programme’s end, other US-funded educational exchanges — including the prestigious Fulbright Programme — remain intact and operational.

The clarification comes in response to media reports and public speculation following the announcement that the Global UGRAD-Pakistan Programme, which had facilitated short-term study opportunities for thousands of Pakistani students over the past 15 years, has come to an end.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by USEFP (@usefpakistan)

The Programme, launched to promote academic exchange and leadership development, reportedly ended due to cuts in US foreign aid, a policy shift initiated during the Trump administration.

In a statement, USEFP reiterated that the United States remains committed to fostering strong people-to-people ties with Pakistan through educational initiatives. “The 54 Pakistani students currently in the United States on the Global UGRAD-Pakistan Programme will complete their Programmes and return to Pakistan as planned. They have and will continue to receive their stipends and all benefits associated with the Programme,” the foundation said.

Addressing the growing unease around the status of the Fulbright Programme, USEFP said: “Fulbright participants in the United States continue to receive their stipends. Assertions that the Fulbright Programme has been terminated or that students will be left stranded in the United States are false.”

Fulbright operates in over 160 countries and about 4,000 students looking to complete a masters or doctorate degree partake each year, according to the Programme’s website.

Global UGRAD has been used by thousands of Pakistani students over the past 15 years to study in the United States. However, 2024 was been the last year Pakistani students made use of the Programme because the post shared by USEFP on Instagram said that the news would be disappointing for those who applied this year.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by USEFP (@usefpakistan)

In February, the US State Department suspended exchange programmes provided by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) for 15 days, but the suspension still remains in place. Applications for 2026 have still been accepted by USEFP, in hopes that the Programme will resume, but there is no guarantee that it will.  

“The US Department of State is conducting a strategic global review of US exchange programmes to ensure close alignment to Administration priorities. As we receive further information on the status of US Government funded exchange programmes, we will keep you updated,” the statement from USEFP reads.