APF NRSP Fellowship

Our 2026 Call for NRSP Fellows is nOW OPEN

APF NRSP Summer 2026

The American Pakistan Foundation (APF) is pleased to offer the APF NRSP Fellowship, a fully in-person summer fellowship in Pakistan hosted in partnership with the National Rural Support Programme (NRSP).

This fellowship provides a unique opportunity for U.S.-based students to gain hands-on experience in development, poverty alleviation, and rural governance by working alongside Pakistan’s largest rural development organization. Fellows will engage directly with NRSP teams, contribute to ongoing programs, and gain meaningful field-based exposure to community-driven development initiatives across Pakistan.

Since 2017, NRSP has hosted APF Fellows as part of a shared commitment to strengthening U.S.–Pakistan people-to-people ties and cultivating the next generation of development and policy professionals.

About the Fellowship

The APF NRSP Fellowship is an in-person program based in Pakistan. Fellows are embedded within NRSP departments and supported by both local supervisors and U.S.-based mentors coordinated by APF.

Fellows contribute to research, program assessments, monitoring and evaluation activities, and institutional learning, while gaining a deeper understanding of how large-scale development organizations operate in complex, real-world settings.

About the Host Organization: NRSP

Established in 1991, the National Rural Support Programme (NRSP) is Pakistan’s largest rural support organization in terms of outreach, staffing, and development activity. NRSP operates across 72 districts in all four provinces and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, working with more than 3.8 million low-income households organized into over 249,000 community organizations.

NRSP’s mission is to alleviate poverty by harnessing people’s potential through community-led development, livelihoods support, health, education, social protection, and institutional strengthening. It is widely regarded as a leading engine for rural development in Pakistan.

APF Fellows have:

• strong communication skills;

• an ability to work, collaborate, and thrive in cross-cultural settings;

• an interest in international affairs and in being globally engaged

• a commitment to service.

What the Fellowship Offers

• Immersive, field-based development experience in Pakistan

• Placement within one of Pakistan’s most respected development institutions

• Exposure to poverty alleviation, community mobilization, and rural governance programs

• Mentorship from NRSP professionals and APF-appointed U.S.-based mentors

• Opportunities to conduct applied research and program assessments

• Guest housing, local travel, and field accommodation support provided by NRSP

Who Should Apply

This fellowship is ideal for candidates who:

• Are rising juniors, seniors, or graduate students

• Have academic or professional interests in development, health, public policy, Pakistan, or South Asia

• Possess strong research, writing, and communication skills

• Are adaptable, collaborative, and comfortable working in field-based environments

Fellowship Details

• Duration: 6-8 weeks

• Tentative Start: First week of June 2026

• Location: Pakistan (in-person, full-time)

• Application Deadline: April 1, 11:59 pm EST

• Stipend: $500 upon successful completion and submission of deliverables

• Financial support: APF and NRSP cover all lodging, local travel, food, and administrative expenses for the duration of the fellowship. International travel and costs related to visa applications are the applicant’s responsibility.

Eligibility and Terms

• Applicants must hold U.S. Citizenship or permanent residency in the United States.

• APF seeks fellows who are flexible, collaborative, inclusive, and open to new ideas and experiences.

• Fellows must submit all required materials, and fulfill all interview requirements.

• Note: International travel, food, and travel health insurance are the responsibility of fellows. Travel health insurance is required.

Urdu or other regional language skills are a plus, but not required.

Fellowship Outcomes

• For Fellows: Practical development experience, field exposure, professional mentorship, and a deeper understanding of Pakistan’s development landscape

• For APF: Strengthened people-to-people ties and a growing network of development-focused alumni

• For NRSP: Research and programmatic support from highly motivated fellows bringing diverse perspectives

Note: APF and NRSP will jointly review applications and interview shortlisted candidates. Final selection decisions will be made collaboratively by APF and NRSP.

Our Partner

Established in 1991 as a not for profit organization, NRSP is the largest Rural Support Programme in Pakistan in terms of outreach, staff and development activities.