Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowship 2026-2027

The Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowship, administered by the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF), is a prestigious program designed for Indian scholars registered for a PhD at an Indian institution. It offers opportunities to conduct research in the United States for 6 to 9 months, fostering academic and cultural exchange between India and the U.S. The fellowship supports pre-doctoral research in priority fields, enabling scholars to audit non-degree courses, access U.S. resources, and gain practical experience. Funded by the U.S. Department of State and India’s Ministry of External Affairs, it aims to address global challenges through innovative research. For the 2026-2027 cycle, up to 8 fellowships are typically awarded, focusing on fields like computer science, public health, and environmental sciences.

To be eligible for the Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowship 2026-2027, applicants must:

• Be Indian citizens registered for a full-time PhD at a recognized Indian institution on or before November 1, 2024.

• Have a PhD thesis submission date at least three months after the fellowship end date (e.g., if the grant ends May 2027, thesis submission cannot be before August 2027).

• Demonstrate academic excellence and research potential in one of the following fields:

  • Agricultural Sciences; Anthropology; Bioengineering; Chemistry; Computer Science (e.g., cybersecurity, AI, quantum computing); Earth Sciences; Economics; Education Policy and Planning; Energy Studies; History; Language/Literature/Linguistics; Materials Science (environmental applications); Mathematical Sciences; Neurosciences; Performing Arts; Physics; Political Science (e.g., international security); Psychology; Public Health (e.g., pandemic preparedness); Sociology; Urban and Regional Planning; Visual Arts; Women’s and Gender Studies.

• Have conducted preliminary research to identify U.S. resources and institutions relevant to their project.

• Secure a letter of invitation from a U.S. host institution (strongly recommended, to be included in the application).

• If employed, obtain an employer’s endorsement indicating leave will be granted for the fellowship period.

• Exclusions:

  • Applicants with a PhD degree or at the final stage of thesis submission are ineligible.

  • Employees of the Government of India or Indian state governments (e.g., IAS, IPS, IRS, IFS, or bureaucratic staff) are not eligible.

  • Applicants cannot apply for multiple Fulbright-Nehru fellowships in the same cycle.

  • The fellowship is not for attending seminars, conferences, or presenting papers as a primary purpose.

The fellowship provides comprehensive financial support for 6 to 9 months, including:

• Monthly Stipend: Competitive, adjusted to U.S. living costs (exact amount not specified, typically covers basic living expenses).

• J-1 Visa Support: Assistance with visa processing.

• Round-Trip Economy Class Air Travel: From the scholar’s home city in India to the U.S. host institution.

• Accident and Sickness Program: Coverage per U.S. Government guidelines.

• Applicable Allowances: Modest allowances for settling-in and professional expenses.

• Affiliation Fees: Limited coverage for host institution fees, if applicable.

• Note: No financial support is provided for dependents, and the grant is insufficient to cover family expenses. Extensions or visa sponsorship transfers are not permitted.

Applications must be submitted online through the USIEF portal. Follow these steps:

1. Review Instructions: Carefully read the FNDR Applicant Instructions and Checklist on the USIEF website (www.usief.org.in).

2. Register on Portal: Create an account at https://apply.iie.org/ffsp2026 using a valid email ID (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo) as the username.

3. Complete Application Form: Fill out the online form with accurate details about academic background, research objectives, and U.S. host institution. The form must be completed in one session (inactive for 60 minutes, it expires).

4. Prepare Documents: Gather required documents (listed below), including the FNDR Applicant Annexure and, if employed, the FNDR Employer’s Endorsement Form.

5. Secure U.S. Affiliation: Correspond with a U.S. institution and include a letter of invitation (strongly recommended).

6. Upload Documents: Submit all documents in the specified format via the online portal. No hard copies are required.

7. Submit Application: Review and submit before the deadline. Incomplete or late applications are rejected.

8. Selection Process:

   • July 2025: Application deadline.

   • September 2025: Initial review of applications.

   • Early October 2025: Interviews in New Delhi for shortlisted candidates, assessing academic credentials, research necessity in the U.S., project merit, and leadership skills.

   • Late October 2025: Notification of nomination status; nominees take the TOEFL exam.

   • December 2025: USIEF submits nominees to the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FFSB) for approval.

   • March/April 2026: Finalists notified of FFSB approval.

   • May/June 2026: Pre-Departure Orientation in India.

   • July/August 2026: Pre-academic training in the U.S. (if required).

   • August/September 2026: Program begins.

Note: Plagiarism or use of generative AI (GenAI) in applications may lead to disqualification, as some U.S. institutions scan for AI-generated content. USIEF offers mentoring workshops to guide applicants; contact regional USIEF offices for details.

• Completed online application form (via https://apply.iie.org/ffsp2026).

• FNDR Applicant Annexure (indicating PhD registration date, expected thesis submission date, and U.S. research justification).

• FNDR Employer’s Endorsement Form (if employed, signed by the appropriate administrative authority, confirming leave).

• Scanned copy of PhD registration certificate (dated on or before November 1, 2024).

• One recommendation letter from the PhD supervisor, commenting on research, fellowship need, registration date, and topic.

• Two additional reference letters from academic/professional contacts.

• Letter of invitation from a U.S. host institution (strongly recommended).

• Copy of a published/presented paper or extracts from Master’s/MPhil thesis (not exceeding 20 pages).

• Scanned copies of mark sheets, transcripts, and degree certificates (10th, 12th, undergraduate, postgraduate).

• Study/research objectives statement.

• Personal statement.

• Note: Documents must be uploaded in the specified format. USIEF may request additional verification from testing agencies or institutions.

• Application Deadline: July 15, 2025, 23:59:59 hrs (IST).

• Review Outcome Notification: September 2025.

• Interviews: Early October 2025 (in New Delhi, in-person).

• Nomination Notification and TOEFL: Late October 2025.

• FFSB Approval: March/April 2026.

• Program Start: August/September 2026 (grants may start from July 2026 to March 2027).

• Note: Late or incomplete applications are not considered. Check www.usief.org.in for updates.

• Email: drf@usief.org.in (for fellowship inquiries).

• Phone: +91-11-4209-0909 (USIEF New Delhi).

• Address: United States-India Educational Foundation, 12 Hailey Road, New Delhi – 110001, India.

• Regional Offices:

  • Chennai: usiefchennai@usief.org.in

  • Hyderabad: usiefhyderabad@usief.org.in

  • Kolkata: usiefkolkata@usief.org.in

  • Mumbai: usiefmumbai@usief.org.in

• Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (IST).