The United States Educational Foundation in Nepal (also known as USEF-Nepal or the Fulbright Commission) announces the 2013 competition for the Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarship. Those selected would begin their studies in the U.S. beginning August-September 2014. 

The Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarship provides all expenses (including travel) for a master’s degree program of up to two years at selected U.S. universities, in any field except medicine, engineering or computer science.

Those who completed their S.L.C. or its equivalent degree from rural, underrepresented areas are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application Forms & Deadlines:
 

Application forms and detailed information regarding the competition are also available from: the USEF-Nepal office in Gyaneshwor (between 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday - Friday); the Ministry of Education; the National Planning Commission; Tribhuvan University Rector’s Office; Kathmandu University Rector’s Office; Samudaik Sambandha Kendras in Bhairahawa (Siddharth Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Kalikapath), Birgunj (Birgunj Jaycees Bhawan, Ward No. 8), Pokhara (Pokhara Public Library, Mahendrapul), Biratnagar (Chamber of Industries, Sahid Marg), Dhangadi (Kailali Chamber of Commerce and Industry) and Ilam (Ilam Chamber of Commerce and Industry); and with Campus Chiefs at out of the Valley degree campuses. Interested persons are encouraged to access and download the application and information from the link at the bottom of the page since the application form needs to be completed using a computer or a typewriter. If you have any questions, come to one of the Question & Answer sessions on Tuesday, March 5, at 4:00 p.m. or on Thursday, March 14 at 4:00 p.m. at the USEF-Nepal office in Gyaneshwor. Duplicate, hardcopy, completed applications must reach the Fulbright Commission (USEF-Nepal) no later than 4:00 p.m. Thursday, March 21, 2013. Incomplete applications or applications received after this deadline will not be considered.

General Requirements for Entering the Program

All applicants must:

1. Possess Nepali citizenship.

2. Demonstrate in post-intermediate degrees a minimum aggregate mark of: 54% for students in non-technical fields (humanities and social sciences), and 62% for students in science and technical fields.  (The minimum requirements for students under the semester system are: 65% in non-technical fields; 75% in technical fields; or a Cumulative GPA of 3.50/4.00 in either field.)

   If the grading systems, fields of study or educational systems for the bachelor’s and master’s level are different (percentage and GPA grades, non-technical and science/technical fields, yearly and semester systems, etc.), the applicant needs to meet the minimum score requirements separately, not in the aggregate.

3. Have a high level of competence in speaking, reading and writing English. (Applicants who pass the first screening will be required to sit for an English test during the application process. The English language test requirement during the selection process may be waived for those who pass the initial screening and have either: 1) a valid CBT TOEFL score of 230 (or iBT TOEFL score of 88, or PBT TOEFL score of 570) or higher, or 2) have passed the English language test administered by USEF-Nepal in April 2012.

4. Be under 40 years of age as of the application submission deadline (March 21, 2013).

5. Possess either a four-year bachelor’s degree; or, if the bachelor’s degree was of fewer than four years duration, then a master’s degree is also required, such that the total number of years of formal education equals at least 16. Students with a three-year bachelor’s degree who have completed only the first year of a two-year master’s degree program, and master’s degree students who have cleared all exams but still need to fulfill other university-mandated degree requirements are ineligible to apply.  Similarly, students who have two or more two-year/three-year bachelor’s degree but no master’s degree are ineligible to apply for the Fulbright program.

6. Work requirement:  Applicants must have at least three years (for men) or one year (for women) of post-bachelor’s degree, full-time, professional work experience in an area directly relevant to the applicant’s chosen field of study as of the application filing deadline date (March 21, 2013).  This experience must be documented by letters (or attested copies) from employer(s) that verify applicant’s position(s) and years of employment.  Even if you worked at several organizations, you are eligible to apply as long as your work experience at those organizations adds up to the minimum work-duration requirement.

7. Be in excellent health, as evidenced by a letter from a medical doctor.

8. Be eligible for a non-immigrant J-1 U.S. visa, and not already in possession or in the process of obtaining a U.S. immigrant visa (“green card”).

Note: Individuals holding master’s degrees equivalent to a U.S. master’s degree are ineligible to apply for the Fulbright Student Scholarship. Individuals who have previously resided in the United States for six months or more during the preceding five years prior to the application submission deadline are ineligible to apply for the Fulbright Student Scholarship. In addition, this competition is not open to: 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 (who are ineligible for grants during the period of their employment and for one year following the termination of employment). 

(All applicants must submit documentary evidence for items No. 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7)

The Commission for Educational Exchange between the United States and Nepal (also known as USEF-Nepal or the Fulbright Commission) announces the 2012 competition for the Fulbright Student Scholarship.