Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships

Students who want to secure benefits of Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships must fulfil the eligibility requirements listed below:

• Citizenship: Indian citizen
• Program: Registered for PhD at an Indian institution on or before Nov 1, 2025.
• Qualification: Registered for their Ph.D. at a university in India.
• Experience: Research experience in the subject-specific field. Should be able to identify the resources in India and the US.
• Conditions:
  • You must not be residing in the U.S at the time of applying.
  • The thesis submission date should be at least three months later than the Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Fellowship Scholarship date.
  • You should indicate the Ph.D. registration date and expected Ph.D. thesis submission date in the Applicant Annexure.
  • Upload a copy of the original published/presented paper or extracts from the Masters'/M.Phil. thesis on the online application form. This should not exceed 20 pages.
  • Must return to India on the completion of the fellowship.
  • If you are employed, carefully follow the instructions regarding employer’s endorsement.

Eligible Programs

Note: The fellowship is only for pre-doctoral level research. Applicants who have completed their Ph.D. are not eligible for Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships.

To apply for Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships, applicants must complete the application form available on the official website of USIEF. The step-by-step application process is mentioned below:

1. Review FNDR Applicant Instructions & checklist before applying for the grant.
2. Visit the application portal at USIEF.
3. Register using a valid email ID (Gmail, Yahoo, etc) which you are currently using. The ID will be your User Name.
4. Create a secure and valid Password (do not write in CAPS).
5. Complete the application form by entering all the necessary details.
6. Submit the application form with all relevant details along with the required documents.

Remember, the fellowship application form must be completed in one session only, and one session expires if your page is inactive for 60 minutes.

Student Supporting Documents

• Academic transcripts
• Resume
• 3 Letters of recommendation
• Copy of passport
• English language proficiency test score like TOEFL
• Experience abroad
• University references
• Paper presented in Masters or M.Phil
• Awards and recognition
• Grants and travel plans

A letter of invitation from a U.S. institution must also be included as a part of an online application for Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships. Extensions and transfer of visa sponsorship will not be permitted.

Note: Plagiarism and late submission of applications will not be entertained.

To make applicants comfortable with the whole selection process, USIEF offices organize Fulbright mentoring workshops that guide applicants on the elements of a strong application. One can contact the USIEF office in one's region for information on the mentoring workshops. Selection panels will often use the following criteria to review applications:

• Academic credentials and professional ability
• Merit of the proposed Fulbright project
• Commitment to the community or national service
• Need to conduct research in the U.S.
• Outcomes, Potential Impact, and Benefits
• Potential to contribute as a cultural ambassador (irrespective of specialization)

The review process takes two to three months after the application deadline. For the interview round, shortlisted applicants must appear for an in-person interview in New Delhi. Recipients of Fullbright Scholarships will be informed through email.