Fulbright Scholarship India: Eligibility, Benefits, Application, Deadlines

Fulbright Scholarship is an international educational exchange programme that offers educational opportunities for students, academics, and professionals to study, research, and teach in the host country. Fulbright Scholarship 2024 is sponsored by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). The latest Fulbright Scholarship 2024 deadline is August 07, 2024 for the Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Programme in USA.

This Story also Contains

1. Fulbright Scholarship 2025-26 Highlights
2. Types of Fulbright Scholarship India
3. Fulbright Scholarships India Deadline
4. Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships 2025-2026
5. Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships 2025-2026
6. Fulbright-nehru Postdoctoral Fellowship Eligibility criteria
7. Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Fellowships 2025-2026
8. Fulbright-Nehru Postdoctoral Research Fellowships 2025-2026
9. Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowships for Doctoral Research 2025-2026
10. Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program 2025-2026
11. Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program Eligibility criteria
12. Fulbright Scholarship India 2025-26: Documents Required
13. Tips to get Fulbright Scholarship India

In India, Fulbright Scholarship programme is administered by the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF). The selection of the potential candidates is processed through a rigorous application and interview with the USIEF National Selection Committee. Applicants who fulfill all the Fulbright Scholarship eligibility are awarded support for US student visa navigation, health insurance, and pre-departure orientation.

Fulbright Scholarship 2024-25 offers approximately 8,000 new grants annually to potential candidates. The scholarship is offered to over 155 countries including India to study in USA. How many Fulbright scholars per year from India? Approximately 350 Fulbright scholarships are granted in India annually. Interested candidates can read the complete article to learn more about Fulbright Scholarship 2024.

Fulbright Scholarship 2025-26 Highlights

Types of Fulbright Scholarship India

The US government offers a wide range of exchange opportunities to Indian citizens in three main categories:

• Student Awards: This allows students to study MS in USA or attend any US university as a visiting student researcher.

• Scholars and Teacher Awards: This Fulbright Scholarship programme is provided to support academics, teachers, and professionals to teach or conduct research in the USA.

• Professional Development Programmes: The Fulbright Scholarship India is offered to university administrators and policymakers.

Also Read: Top 100 Universities in USA

Fulbright Scholarships India Deadline

The US government offers over 8000 fellowships annually to potential international candidates to study in USA, research, or teach. Indian students are among the top participants in the Fulbright Scholarship 2024-25. The programme is offered to over 350 Indian candidates annually. The Fulbright Scholarship amount covers tuition, living expenses, visa fees, airfare, and health insurance.

Fulbright Scholarship Application Deadline

Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships 2025-2026

Candidates who have completed the equivalent of a US bachelor’s degree, and have at least three years of professional work experience will be offered the Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships 2025-2026. Additionally, eligible candidates need to demonstrate their commitment to returning and contributing to their communities in India. The duration of the scholarship is up to two years. Any student pursuing a master’s in a top US university is welcome to apply for Fulbright Scholarship 2025-26.

Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships

Applications are invited in the following fields only:

• Economics

• Environmental Science/Studies

• Higher Education Administration

• International Affairs

• International Legal Studies

• Journalism and Mass Communication

• Public Administration

• Public Health

• Urban and Regional Planning

• Women’s Studies/Gender Studies

Also Read: Work After Study in USA

Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships 2025-2026

Indian students who are registered for a Ph.D. at an Indian institution are offered the Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships. The duration of this Fulbright Scholarship programme is 6-9 months. This fellowship offers opportunities to eligible candidates to audit non-degree courses, conduct research, and gain practical work experience in the US.

Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships 2025-2026: Grant Benefits

• J-1 visa support

• A monthly stipend

• An Accident and Sickness programme for Exchanges

• Round-trip economy class air travel

• Applicable allowances

• Modest affiliation fees

Fulbright-nehru Postdoctoral Fellowship Eligibility criteria

The details of the Fulbright Scholarship eligibility for Indian students are listed below.

• The candidate should be a recipient of the Fulbright Nehru Scholarship.

• Registration for a Ph.D. at an Indian institution is mandatory.

• Students must reside in India for the duration of the project.

• A letter of recommendation from the supervisor containing the date, subject of the Ph.D. application, and research and funding needs.

• Candidates must submit their thesis at least three months after the final date of the Fulbright Nehru grant.

• If employed, they must follow the instructions on their employer's certificate. Candidates can download the Employer Verification Form from the USIEF website.

• Candidates are required to upload their published/published paper or master's or MPhil thesis excerpt along with the online application form.

People Also Like to Read:

Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Fellowships 2025-2026

The fellowship offers opportunities to Indian faculty, researchers, and professionals to teach, conduct research, or both in top US institutions. The duration of this Fulbright Scholarship programme is 4-9 months. The grant benefits include J-1 visa support, a monthly stipend, an Accident and Sickness Programme for Exchanges, round-trip economy class air travel, a modest settling-in allowance, and a professional allowance.

Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Fellowships Eligibility criteria

• Students must obtain a Ph.D. or a D.M. degree between July 15, 2020, and July 14, 2024.

• Submission of Ph.D. or D.M. degree certificate/provisional along with the online application is required.

• The applicant must have a publication in a reputed journal.

• For employed candidates, instructions regarding the employer’s endorsement must be followed carefully.

Also Read: Fully Funded Scholarships for Indian Students to Study Abroad

Fulbright-Nehru Postdoctoral Research Fellowships 2025-2026

The scholarship is offered to Indian faculty and researchers who are in the early stages of their research careers in India. Candidates get the opportunity to strengthen their research capacities and access significant resources to build long-term collaborative relationships. The grant benefits include J-1 visa support, a monthly stipend, an Accident and Sickness programme for Exchanges, round-trip economy class air travel, a modest settling-in allowance, and a professional allowance. Candidates may get a dependent allowance and international travel for one accompanying eligible dependent depending on the availability of funds.

Fulbright-Nehru Postdoctoral Research Fellowships Eligibility criteria

• The candidate must be an Indian citizen.

• He must have required proficiency in the English language.

• He must have a Ph.D. or DM degree obtained within the last four years.

• Degrees and provisional certificates must be uploaded on the online application.

• They must have documentation demonstrating their academic and professional excellence.

• Reputable journals should have published their research.

• When applying for a scholarship, they must upload their most recent publication.

Also Read: Commonwealth Scholarship for Indian Students

Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowships for Doctoral Research 2025-2026

The Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowships are offered to address long-term climate change-related issues in India and the US. Indian students who are registered for a Ph.D. at an Indian institution are eligible to apply for this Fulbright Scholarship India. The duration of the grant is 6-9 months.

The grant benefits include

• Support for J-1 visa

• Health insurance

• Airfare from India to USA (Economy Class)

• Monthly stipend

• Settlement allowance

• Professional allowance

Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowships for Doctoral Research: Eligibility criteria

• Applicants should be Indian citizens.

• They must have an excellent academic background.

• Candidates should have good knowledge of English.

• They must commit to returning to India after completing the programme.

Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program 2025-2026

The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program is offered to young and mid-career professionals from developing countries. Students should be enroled in any non-degree graduate study and related practical professional experiences in the USA for up to 10 months.

Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program Eligibility criteria

• An undergraduate or bachelor's degree.

• Minimum five years of work experience.

• Minimal or no work experience in the US.

• Excellent leadership skills.

• A record of community public service.

• English language proficiency.

• Written undertaking promising to return to India once the fellowship ends.

• Candidates applying for PR or permanent residents of the United States are not eligible.

Fulbright Scholarship India 2025-26: Documents Required

Here is the list of documents required to apply Fulbright Scholarship for indian students in USA:

• Letter from the applicant requesting “Research Project Clearance”

• A copy of the Applicant’s bio-data (CV).

• Application for Approval of Research Project (Annexure-XII)(pdf) with a photograph of the applicant affixed to the application

• Grant Award Letter issued by United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF), New Delhi.

• Letter from the host institution accepting you as a Fulbright Scholar.

• Certificate of Affiliation from the Host Institution in India.

• Research Project Report / Proposal Abstract / Fulbright Application (Statement of Grant Purpose) with all details about the project.

• Notarised copy of the first and last page of the Passport and OCI/PIO Card

• Proof of residence such as State ID or utility bill.

• USPS prepaid envelope for return of the certificate.

Also Read: Cost of Living in USA For Indian and International Students

Tips to get Fulbright Scholarship India

Here’s a list of some of the significant tips from the experts and previous recipients of the Fulbright Scholarship India.

• Start the process early

• Read the application instructions

• Revise the application to ensure that there are no errors

• Write clearly and use simple language

• Identify the right referees for the application

• Identify the right host institution for the program

• Highlight the novelty in your research proposal

• Establish the reason for conducting your study in US