Apply for Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships (India)

Selected scholars will have the opportunity to conduct research, audit non-degree courses at U.S. academic institutions to enhance their knowledge and gain practical work experience in suitable settings in the U.S. These fellowships are designed for Indian scholars who are registered for a Ph.D. at an Indian institution. These fellowships are for six to nine months.

Focus Areas

• Agricultural Sciences
• Anthropology
• Bioengineering
• Chemistry
• Computer Science (including, but not limited to, cyber security, digital economy, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning and big data analytics)
• Earth Sciences
• Economics
• Education Policy and Planning
• Energy Studies
• Environmental Science/studies
• History
• Language/Literature/Linguistics
• Materials Science (with emphasis on environmental applications)
• Mathematical Sciences
• Neuroscience
• Performing Arts
• Physics
• Political Science (including, but not limited to, International Security and Strategic Studies)
• Psychology
• Public Health (including, but not limited to, pandemic preparedness and comprehensive surveillance (genomic surveillance, sewage surveillance, sero-surveillance))
• Public Policy
• Sociology
• Urban and Regional Planning (with emphasis on smart cities and waste management)
• Visual Arts

Benefits

• The fellowships provide J-1 visa support, a monthly stipend, Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges per U.S. Government guidelines, round-trip economy class air travel, applicable allowances and modest affiliation fees, if any.
• No allowances are provided for dependents.
• The grant is not sufficient to support family members.

Eligibility Criteria

• This grant is intended for Ph.D. students to conduct research essential to their dissertations/thesis. Therefore, the expected Ph.D. thesis submission date should at least be three months after the Fulbright-Nehru grant end date. For example, if May 2027 is the grant end date, the applicant cannot submit their thesis before August 2027.
• The applicant should provide clear justification on the need for undertaking research in the U.S. and the U.S. institution identified for the research. They should have done reasonable study pertaining to their research objectives, especially in the identification of resources in India and the U.S.
• Applicant must be registered for Ph.D. at an Indian institution. On the online application form, one of the recommendation letters must be from the Ph.D. supervisor that comments on applicants’ research, need for the fellowship, and must indicate the Ph.D. registration date and topic;
• If the applicant is employed, they must follow the instructions carefully regarding employer’s endorsement. If applicable, please obtain the endorsement from the appropriate administrative authority on the FNDR Employer’s Endorsement Form. The employer must indicate that leave will be granted for the fellowship period;
• The applicant must upload a copy of the original published/presented paper or extracts from the Masters’/M.Phil. thesis on the online application form (not exceeding 20 pages).
• Employees of the Government of India and Indian State Governments are not eligible for any Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships. This includes civil servants in central services (such as IAS, IPS, IRS, IFS, and allied services), state government services (including state civil services), and bureaucratic staff employed in central and state ministries or departments.
• These fellowships are for pre-doctoral level research. Applicants with Ph.D. degrees or those at the final stage of Ph.D. thesis submission will not be considered.

Application Requirements

• You can apply for only one Fulbright-Nehru fellowship category during a competition cycle.
• Plagiarism in the application will lead to disqualification. Some US universities and colleges have developed and published policies on the use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) on applications for admission or affiliation with their institution. Some institutions may scan applications for the use of language produced by GenAI. While individual institutional policies range widely and policy responses from US universities will continue to evolve, copying language/content produced by GenAI directly into your application may negatively impact admission or affiliation decisions.
• Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Incomplete applications will be rejected.
• Extensions and Transfer of visa sponsorship will not be permitted.
• Prospective Fulbright participants should be aware that public health conditions, availability of consular services and travel, as well as U.S. institutional operating status and policies may affect their ability to travel to the U.S. and participate in academic programs.

For more information, visit USIEF.