Fulbright Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships 2027-28

The Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships 2027-28 are initiated by the United States-India Educational Foundation. It is designed to develop new innovative solutions for long-term capacity to address global challenges. The selected scholars will receive a monthly stipend along with other benefits.

The United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State and India's Ministry of External Affairs, is offering this opportunity.

To be eligible, an applicant must:

• be an Indian citizen
• be registered for a full-time Ph.D. at a recognised Indian institution on or before November 1, 2025
• have done adequate research in the relevant field
• ensure that their expected Ph.D. thesis submission date is at least three months after the Fulbright-Nehru grant end date
• not hold a Ph.D. degree or be at the final stage of Ph.D. thesis submission

Note:-

• Employees of the Government of India and Indian State Governments are not eligible. 
• Researchers, scientists, and academicians from CSIR, ICAR, ICGEB, DRDO, ISRO, ICMR, DBT institutions, DST laboratories, BARC, IISc, and IITs, as well as other centrally funded government institutions and universities, are eligible to apply.

The selected fellows will receive the following benefits:-

• A monthly stipend
• J-1 visa support
• round-trip economy class air travel
• applicable allowances and modest affiliation fees

Eligible applicants can apply by following these steps:

Step 1: Click on the 'Apply Now' button below.
Step 2: Click on the 'Register' button and fill in the required registration details (Note:- If already registered, log in using Gmail/Mobile number/Email ID).
Step 3: Scroll down to the ‘Applications Process’ section and click on the link.
Step 4: Click on ‘Create an account’.
Step 5: A temporary pin will be sent to your registered email ID.
Step 6: Use the PIN to activate your account.
Step 7: Login with your credentials and proceed with your application.

• Curriculum Vitae
• Academic Transcript
• Research Objective
• Personal Statement
• Ph.D. registration certificate
• Writing sample (preferably a recent significant publication)
• 3 Reference Letters
• Offer letter from the US host institution
• FNDR employer’s endorsement, if employed

The fellows will be selected based on the eligibility criteria.

Application Deadline: 1st July 2026

Question: Who is offering the Fulbright Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships?
 Answer: The United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State and India's Ministry of External Affairs, is offering the fellowship.

Question: What are the benefits of the Fulbright Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships?
Answer: The fellowship provides the benefits of including J-1 visa support, a monthly stipend, Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE) insurance, round-trip economy class air travel, and modest affiliation fees.

Question: Who is eligible for the Fulbright Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships?
Answer: Indian citizens registered for a Ph.D. at an Indian institution on or before November 1, 2025, who have relevant research experience and a strong academic record are eligible to apply for the fellowship.

Question: What is the mode of application? 
Answer: The application is online through the official portal of USIEF.

• You can apply for only ONE Fulbright-Nehru fellowship category during a competition cycle.
• Incomplete applications will be rejected.