RFPs: Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Fellowships (India)

Depending on the specific host institution, grantees may contribute to the academic environment by developing curriculum, as well as conducting workshops and seminars. These fellowships are for four 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

Categories

• Research
  • Applicants must justify the relevance of the proposed research to both India and/or the U.S., demonstrating its potential benefits for their home institution.
  • The feasibility of completing the research within the fellowship’s time frame (4 to 9 months) is crucial.
  • The applicant must explain the need to carry out the research in the U.S. and how the research aligns with the goals of the fellowship.
• Teaching
  • Indian academics and professionals contribute to the internationalization of the curriculum at their U.S. host institutions and the understanding of recent developments not just in India but globally. The applicant should explain what they propose to teach in the U.S. within this context.
  • Applicants must provide the details of their current/previous teaching experience including the courses taught and teaching methodologies.
  • They should also indicate any involvement in curriculum or course designing, thesis guidance or any academic leadership responsibilities undertaken. The applicant should explain how this experience will be relevant to the proposed teaching the in the U.S.
  • The applicant must explain the expected outcome and impact of their teaching on both their home and U.S. institutions and more widely to the community and professional field.
  • The applicant must indicate if the course/s will be individual or team taught.
• Research and Teaching
  • Applicants can opt for a mix of research and teaching activities.
  • The project statement must clearly define the time allocation for each activity. For example, an applicant may allocate 60% of their time for research and 40% for teaching.
  • The teaching component may involve courses (individually or team-taught) or conducting a series of seminars at the U.S. institution.

Benefits

• The fellowships provide a J-1 visa support, a monthly stipend, Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges per U.S. Government guidelines, round-trip economy class air travel, a modest settling-in allowance, and a professional allowance.
• Subject to availability of funds, in case of grantees on eight or nine-month grants, a dependent allowance and international travel may be provided for one accompanying eligible dependent provided the dependent is with the grantee in the U.S. for at least 80 percent of the grant period.

Eligibility Criteria

• Faculty/researchers must have a Ph.D. degree with at least five years of relevant teaching/research/professional experience;
• Professionals outside academe must have a master’s degree and at least five years of relevant experience;
• The applicant should upload a recent significant publication (copy of paper/article) in the online application (not exceeding 30 pages);
• The applicant should upload the title, abstract and link to a recent significant publication (in the online application. If the applicant is employed, they must follow the instructions carefully regarding employer’s endorsement. The employer must indicate that leave will be granted for the fellowship period. The applicant must obtain the endorsement from the appropriate administrative authority on the Letter of Support from Home Institution;
• 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.

For more information, visit USIEF.