Overview
The Fulbright Commission invites applications for the Fulbright Foreign Student Program (FFSP) for Master’s-level study in the United States. Each year, approximately 4,000 students from 160 countries receive Fulbright scholarships, joining a global network of scholars dedicated to fostering international collaboration and cultural exchange. The FFSP offers full funding for a Master’s degree program of up to two years at select U.S. universities. The scholarship covers tuition, travel, living expenses, and other program-related costs, supporting study in any field except Medicine and Nursing. As the U.S. government’s flagship international educational and cultural exchange initiative, the Fulbright Program builds bridges across cultures and strengthens global connections. Selected candidates will begin their program in Fall 2026.
Eligibility Criteria
- Citizenship: Must be a Nepali citizen and current resident.
- Work Experience: At least 3 years of post-bachelor’s full-time, professional work in Nepal in a field relevant to the proposed study. Professional recommenders must verify employment details.
- Education:
- Minimum 16 years of education: A four-year bachelor’s degree or a bachelor’s plus a Master’s to meet the 16-year requirement.
- Ineligible: Three-year bachelor’s degree holders without completing a full Master’s, or multiple shorter bachelor’s degrees without a Master’s.
- Academic Performance:
- 60% aggregate or 3.0 GPA system
- English Proficiency (ONLY required once shortlisted): Must demonstrate sufficient proficiency. TOEFL (100+) or GRE scores per subject matter/major requirements. Past valid test scores may be accepted.
- Visa Eligibility: Must qualify for a non-immigrant J-1 U.S. visa and not hold or be pursuing a U.S. immigrant visa.
- Submission: Applications must be completed online; no hard copies accepted.
*All grantees receive an exchange visitor (J-1) visa which requires that the individuals return to Nepal upon completion of their academic program. Grantees are not eligible for an immigrant visa, for permanent residence, or for a non-immigrant visa as a temporary worker (“H” visa) or trainee, or as an intra-company transferee (“L” visa) to re-enter the U.S. until they have accumulated two years’ residence in Nepal after returning from the U.S. on an exchange visitor visa. This does not preclude the individual from going to the U.S. on other visas during the two-year period.
Documents required
| Application Section | Documents required |
| Academic and Professional Information | CV- no more than 2 pages long (See CV format) |
| Academic Materials | Attested* copies of Diplomas/Certificates and Mark sheets/Transcripts (arranged in a reverse chronological order; the most recent at the top and the oldest at the bottom; starting from SLC to Bachelors (or Masters if applicable) Unattested academic materials will not be considered |
| Test Scores | TOEFL or IELTS and GRE test score reports (This is not mandatory for the application process) |
| Study Plan (each essay should be maximum 2 pages or no more than 1500 words) | See Study Objective and Personal Statement Guidelines Study/Research Objective Personal Statement Writing Sample (Often required for study in the Humanities or Social Sciences) |
| ID | Citizenship, National ID or Passport scan |
| Additional Information- Additional Documents | Work sample (Often required for study in the Arts or Art-related fields as well as in Communication and/or Journalism) |
| Recommendations | 3 Recommendations: professional and academic references from instructors, professors or work supervisors who know you well |
*Attestation of official documents is required: Attestation of photocopies of documents may be made by the issuing institution, Government of Nepal, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu University or a government approved notary public. USEF-Nepal also provides attestation service.
Documents for attestation can be dropped off from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at USEF-Nepal office. You must submit all original academic documents listed below along with clear photocopies. Make sure to photocopy the backside information of your mark sheets.
- SLC/SEE: mark sheet and certificate
- +2: mark sheet and provisional certificate
- Bachelor/Master: TU transcript (if degree is from KU/PU then individual grade sheets are required as well) and provisional certificate.
Timeline
| February 1, 2025 | Fulbright Foreign Student Program Application opens |
| April 30, 2025 | Application closes at 23:59 Eastern Time |
| June, 2025 | Interviews |
| July-September, 2025 | Selected candidates take TOEFL and GRE tests |
| Fall 2026 | Selected candidates start their program in the U.S. |
Ineligibility
- Individuals living, studying or working outside of Nepal
- Individuals holding U.S. degree/s already. Preference will be given to those without prior U.S. or foreign experience
- Individuals who have previously resided in the U.S. for six months or more during the preceding five years prior to the application submission deadline
- Individuals with, or in the process of obtaining, U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent resident status
- Employees of USEF-Nepal and local employees of U.S. Mission in Nepal who work for the U.S. Department of State, and their spouses and dependent children are ineligible for grants during the period of their employment and for one year following the termination of employment
- Individuals applying for a degree in Medicine and Nursing.
Program deadline – 11:59 pm (EASTERN TIME) April 30, 2025
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