ISLAMABAD, August 11, 2026: Pakistan and the United States have renewed their longstanding Fulbright-HEC partnership for another five years, expanding opportunities for Pakistani students, researchers and academics to pursue advanced education, research and professional development.
The new agreement between the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) will run from FY 2026-27 through FY 2031-32, according to Pakistan’s Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training.
The renewed partnership covers the Fulbright Master’s and PhD programmes, Visiting Scholar Programme for postdoctoral scholars, Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Programme and Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Programme.
66 PhD Scholars Targeted Under New Agreement
Under the five-year agreement, the programme aims to support 66 PhD scholars, alongside Pakistani participants benefiting from other academic and professional programmes covered by the partnership.
The initiative is designed to enable Pakistani scholars and academics to pursue advanced studies, conduct research and strengthen professional expertise before contributing to the country’s socio-economic development.
HEC Funding Commitment Capped at Rs6.48 Billion
HEC will contribute at least $4.54 million annually, while its overall financial commitment under the five-year agreement will be capped at Rs6.48 billion.
According to the ministry, the agreed payment schedule includes $2 million by June 30, another $2 million by January 31 and the remaining amount by April 30, subject to the timely release of government funds.
Any interest earned on HEC funds held by USEFP will be reinvested in student grants.
Fulbright Selection to Remain Merit-Based
The government said selections under the renewed Fulbright-HEC programme will remain merit-based, with no fixed quotas for any particular group, region or category.
HEC will participate in selection panels and help identify priority fields of study aligned with Pakistan’s national development and security priorities.
The arrangement is intended to ensure that scholarship opportunities address emerging national requirements while maintaining academic merit and transparency.
Joint Committee to Review Programme Performance
A Joint Review Committee comprising representatives of the partner institutions will meet twice annually to assess the programme’s performance and impact.
USEFP will also provide HEC with annual audited financial statements, while relevant programme records will remain available for review by HEC upon reasonable notice.
The agreement additionally provides for joint awareness initiatives across Pakistan using HEC’s network of higher education institutions to expand outreach and awareness of international academic opportunities.
Both sides may also explore future cooperation involving faculty and administrator exchanges and other educational initiatives.
Partnership Dates Back to 2016
The latest agreement represents the third phase of the Fulbright-HEC collaboration and builds on the original Fulbright-HEC PhD partnership signed in February 2016.
Under the earlier initiative, $25.786 million was committed to support 125 Pakistani scholars during FY 2016-20.
The programme followed high-level Pakistan-US engagement, including the October 2015 meeting between then-US President Barack Obama and then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and was associated with the US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor launched in June 2015.
The government said the renewed agreement reflects Pakistan’s commitment to expanding quality higher education, strengthening research and innovation, developing skilled human capital and building international academic partnerships.
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