Fulbright Kalam Climate Fellowship for Doctoral Research 2023-24

Fulbright Kalam Climate Fellowship for Doctoral Research 2023-24 is an initiative by the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) for Indian scholars who are registered for a Ph.D. at an Indian institution. The objective is to promote further mutual understanding between the two peoples by a wider exchange of knowledge and professional talents – intend to partner to build long-term capacity in the United States and India by engaging scientific and technical research scholars from both countries related to climate research and education. The selected teachers will receive variable awards.

United States-India Educational Foundation is offering this fellowship. It is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State.

To be eligible, an applicant must - 

• Be registered for a Ph.D. degree at an Indian institution on or before November 1, 2021 (For U.S. applicants)
• Have conducted adequate research in the relevant field, especially in the identification of resources in India 
• Have a high academic background

The selected applicants will receive the following benefits - 

• J-1 visa support
• A monthly stipend
• Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges per U.S. Government guidelines 
• Round-trip economy class air travel between India and the U.S., a modest settling-in allowance
• A professional allowance

Note - The selected visiting student researchers will have opportunities to audit non-degree courses, conduct research and gain practical work experience in suitable settings in the U.S.

Eligible candidates can apply for the fellowship by following the steps mentioned below:

Step 1: Click on the 'Apply Now' button.
Step 2: Navigate to the 'Application Procedure' section and click on the first link.
Step 3: For first time users, click on the 'Create an Account' link, whereas registered users click on Login.
Step 4: To register for an account, enter an email address, first and last name, birthday and click on 'Continue'.
Step 5: Enter the pin received through email to activate the account and create a password to complete the process.
Step 6: After successfully creating the account, log in using valid credentials.
Step 7: Fill in the required information step-by-step and upload the required documents s in PDF format as required.
Step 8: Fill in the grant and additional information and submit the form.

Note -

• For detailed information, kindly go through 'Application Instructions'.
• The employer can send the signed form directly to the Senior Program Officer, Indian Program, United States-India Educational Foundation, through email at  - dr-climate@usief.org.in no later than September 15, 2022. 

• Curriculum vitae
• Test score reports
• Study/research objectives
• FK-DR employer’s endorsement form 
• Scanned copy of FK-DR Applicant Annexure
• Ph.D. Registration Certificate
•  Recommendations

Note - For detailed information, kindly go through 'Applicant Checklist'.

• The selected candidate will be affiliated with one U.S. host institution.
• The selected visiting student researchers will have opportunities to audit non-degree courses, conduct research and gain practical work experience in suitable settings in the U.S

Application Deadline - 15th September 2022
Field-specific Experts Review Applications - Mid-October 2022
USIEF informs the applicants about the review outcome - Mid-November 2022
National Interviews of Shortlisted Candidates - Late November 2022
USIEF Notifies Finalists - March/April 2023
Pre-Departure Orientation - May/June 2023
Program Begins - August/September 2023

• On the online application form, one of the recommendations should be from the Ph.D. supervisor that comments on the applicant’s research, the need for the fellowship, and must indicate the Ph.D. registration date and topic.
• USIEF strongly recommends all applicants to identify institutions with which they wish to be affiliated, and to correspond, in advance, with potential host institutions.
• If the applicant has secured a letter of invitation from a U.S. institution, it should be included as a part of the online application.
• The letter of invitation should indicate the duration of the visit, preferably with dates.
• 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-Kalam grant end date. For example, if May 2024 is the grant end date, the applicants cannot submit their thesis before August 2024. Please indicate the Ph.D. registration date and the expected Ph.D. thesis submission date in the Applicant Annexure. The applicant can download the Applicant Annexure from the USIEF website;
• If the applicants are employed, they must follow the instructions carefully regarding the employer’s endorsement. If applicable, the applicants must obtain the endorsement from the appropriate administrative authority on the “Employer’s Endorsement Form.” The employer must indicate that leave will be granted for the fellowship period.