Fulbright Scholarships

The Fulbright Scholarships are one of the popular Cultural Exchange Programs by the United States and aims to cultural diplomacy and enhance intercultural relations. It is exclusively available for graduate students, artists and young professionals in all fields of study. Foreign students from over 155 countries can fulfil the dream to study in the US for a minimum of one year or more. If eligible for a Fulbright Scholarship, it will cover nearly all expenses, including tuition, living allowance and travel expenses. This blog brings you a complete guide on Fulbright Scholarship 2021-22.

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Fulbright Scholarships: Important Dates and Deadlines

Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship

The Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships and Scholarships are designed for exceptional Indians who wish to pursue a master’s in the USA. Here are the major subjects included under this scholarship:

• Arts and Culture Management
• Women’s Studies/Gender Studies
• Urban and Regional Planning
• Economics
• International Affairs
• Environmental Science/Studies
• Public Administration
• Heritage Conservation and Museum Studies
• International Legal Studies
• Public Health
• Higher Education Administration

Spanning for a duration of one to two years, these Fulbright scholarships are for highly motivated individuals who demonstrate leadership skills, have earned the equivalent of an American Bachelor’s degree, have at least three years of professional experience, and are committed to coming back and contributing to their communities.

Benefits

The benefits of the Fulbright scholarship are:

• J-1 visa assistance;
• Round-trip economy class air travel from the selected candidate home city to the host institution in the US.
• Funding for tuition*, living and associated costs;
• Coverage of accidents and illnesses according to United States government guidelines

Note: The Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships do not provide financial support to dependents.

*USIEF funding might not take in all costs in consideration thus the scholar might be required to add more resources to the provided or availed grants.

Eligibility Criteria 

In addition to the standard prerequisites, candidates must fulfil the following requirements for the Fulbright Scholarships:

• An undergraduate degree from a recognized university or colleges in India with a minimum of 55% marks. 
• You must have either a four-year undergraduate degree or In case that your completed bachelors is less four years, a full-time master’s degree or a full-time postgraduate diploma from a recognized university or colleges in India.
• A minimum of three years of full-time (paid) work experience in your chosen subject area;
• Demonstrate experience of leadership and community service;
• No other degree from a university in the United States or be enrolled in a curriculum in the United States.
• If you are a working professional, you must go through the instructions given under employer’s endorsement. You can get this endorsement from the appropriate administrative authority on the FNMasters Employer’s Endorsement Form. The employer must accept that the leave is provided to the scholar for the given scholarship period.

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Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships

Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships are for those studying a PhD degree in India. These Fulbright scholarships last between 6 and 9 months. Here are the major subject areas accepted under this fellowship:

• Agricultural Sciences
• Energy Studies
• Neurosciences
• Mathematical Sciences
• Anthropology
• Physical Sciences
• Bioengineering
• Climate Change Sciences
• Urban and Regional Planning (with emphasis on smart cities and waste management)
• Computer Science (including, but not limited to, cybersecurity, digital economy, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning and big data analytics)
• Economics
• Education Policy and Planning
• Public Policy
• History
• International Law
• International Security and Strategic Studies
• Materials Science (with emphasis on environmental applications)
• Sociology
• Women’s and Gender Studies
• Visual Arts
• Performing Arts
• Public Health

Affiliation
Under Fulbright Scholarship for doctoral students, the applicants will be affiliated to an American host institution. The USIEF suggests the applicants find the institutions of interest that they want to be affiliated with and provide the same list beforehand. If the applicant has received an invitation letter from an American institution, they must mention the same in their online application.

Benefits

The Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships offer:

• J-1 visa support
• a monthly allowance
• an accident and illness exchange program in accordance with U.S. government guidelines
• an economy class round trip
• the applicable indemnities and modest membership fees, where applicable. 
• Selected researchers will have the opportunity to review graduate courses, conduct research and gain hands-on work experience in appropriate environments in the United States.

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Eligibility  

Here are the major requirements for the Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Scholarship:

• The applicants must have conducted adequate research in the relevant field to find the best resources in India. On the other hand, the U.S. applicant should have applied for a PhD degree in India.
• On the online application form, one of the letters of recommendation must come from the thesis supervisor who comments on the research of the candidates and the need for a fellowship and must indicate the date and subject of registration for the doctorate.
• This scholarship is exclusively for PhD aspirants wanting to pursue research required for their thesis and dissertation. Therefore, the expected date for the submission of a PhD thesis should be at least three months after the end date of the Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship. 
• The candidate must also provide an already published or submitted research work or its extracts taken from their thesis in Masters or MPhil.

Note: Since this fellowship is only for pre-doctoral level research, those pursuing the final stage of their PhD or those who have completed their doctoral degree will not be taken into consideration.

Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Fellowships

The Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Fellowships is mainly for professors, scholars and working professionals in India who are aspiring to pursue teaching, research opportunities or a combination of both at universities or colleges in the US. According to the US host institution, it is likely that the grant recipient will contribute to program development and workshops and seminars. These Fulbright scholarships last between 4 and 9 months. Applications are only requested in the following areas: 

• Agricultural Sciences
• Mathematical Sciences
• Physical Sciences
• Anthropology
• Visual Arts
• Bioengineering
• Materials Science (with emphasis on environmental applications)
• Education Policy and Planning
• International Security and Strategic Studies
• Climate Change Sciences
• Materials Science (with emphasis on environmental applications)
• Computer Science (including, but not limited to, cybersecurity, digital economy, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning and big data analytics)
• Economics
• Public Health
• Energy Studies
• History
• International Law
• Urban and Regional Planning 
• Women’s and Gender Studies
• Neurosciences
• Performing Arts
• Public Policy
• Sociology

Affiliation
The applicant shall be affiliated with an American host institution. The USIEF suggests the applicants find the institutions of interest that they want to be affiliated with and provide the same list beforehand. If you obtained an invitation letter from an institution in the United States, it should be included in the online application of their Fulbright Scholarship.

Benefits

Here are the benefits offered by Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Fellowships and Scholarships:

• Scholarships provide J-1 Visa Support
• Monthly Allowance
• Accident and sickness  Program for Exchanges as per US Government Guidelines
• Economy Return Travel (two return Economy airfare for Flex)
• A modest landing allowance, and pay for work. 
• The benefits might also include a dependent allowance along with international travel costs covered given the fund availability is ensured by any accompanying eligible dependent and under the condition that the scholar remains with the granted in the US for a minimum of 80% duration of the scholarship.

Eligibility

The major requirements for the Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Scholarships are:

• Professors/researchers should have a PhD or equivalent published work with at least five years of relevant teaching/research experience;
• Non-university professionals must have a master’s degree or equivalent published work with recognized professional status and a minimum of five years of relevant experience;
• The applicant is required to upload a recent major publication (copy of the document or article) to the online application;
• If the applicant has a job, they should carefully follow the instructions for the letter of support from the originating institution. 
• The employer must indicate that leave will be granted for the fellowship period.

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Fulbright-Nehru Postdoctoral Research Fellowships

The Fulbright-Nehru Postdoctoral Research Fellowships are designed for Indian professors and scholars who are in the early stages of their research careers in India. The Postdoctoral Research Fellowships will provide opportunities for talented professors and researchers to build their research capacity. Postdoctoral fellows will have access to some of the best resources in their areas of interest and will help establish long-term collaborative relationships with faculty and institutions in the United States. These scholarships last between 8 and 24 months. The applications are invited in the following fields only: 

• Agricultural Sciences
• Materials Science (with emphasis on environmental applications)
• Sociology
• Anthropology
• Bioengineering
• Urban and Regional Planning (with emphasis on smart cities and waste management)
• Physical Sciences
• Climate Change Sciences
• Women’s and Gender Studies
• Performing Arts
• Computer Science (including, but not limited to, cybersecurity, digital economy, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning and big data analytics)
• International Law
• Economics
• Public Policy
• International Security and Strategic Studies
• Neurosciences
• Education Policy and Planning
• History
• Visual Arts
• Mathematical Sciences
• Public Health
• Energy Studies

Affiliation
The candidate will be affiliated with a single American host institution for their scholarship. The USIEF suggests the applicants find the institutions of interest that they want to be affiliated with and provide the same list beforehand. The invitation letter must indicate the duration of your visit, preferably including dates. Also if the applicant received a letter of invitation from a U.S. institution, it should be included in the online application.

Benefits

• Scholarships provide J-1 Visa Support
• Monthly Allowance
• Accident and sickness  Program for Exchanges as per US Government Guidelines
• Economy Return Travel (two return Economy airfare for Flex)
• A modest landing allowance
• Professional allowance
• For eight or nine-month grants, the benefits might also include a dependent allowance along with international travel costs covered given the fund availability is ensured by any accompanying eligible dependent and under the condition that the scholar remains with the granted in the US for a minimum of 80% duration of the scholarship.

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Eligibility

Besides the general preconditions:

• The candidate must have a PhD or MD within the previous four years. 
• The candidate is required to upload his or her PhD or MD diploma/provisional certificate on the online application.
• The candidate must be published in reputable journals and demonstrate academic and professional excellence. 
• They must upload a recent significant publication (copy of paper/article/journal/research) on the online application
• If the applicant is an employee, please carefully follow the instructions for the letter of support from the Home Institution.
• If applicable, please obtain approval from the appropriate administrative authority in the original institution’s FNPostdoc letter of support. 
• The employer should indicate that leave will be given for the probationary period. 

Fulbright Kalam Climate Fellowship

Fulbright Kalam Climate Fellowship is offered to candidates of doctoral and post-doctoral research. The fellowship is aimed at Indian faculty members, researchers and professionals who have displayed academic and professional excellence. The award is offered for subjects such as:

• Energy Studies
• Earth Sciences
• Geology
• Environmental Sciences
• Renewable Energy
• Smart Cities
• Agriculture
• Public Policy
• Environmental Engineering
• Disaster Resilient Infrastructure

The duration of this Fulbright scholarship ranges between 8 to 24 months and the applicants have to carry out research and teaching activities at US-host universities and institutions. Scholars who cannot leave their home universities have the option for making multiple visits to US universities during the fall or spring semesters.

Benefits

• J-1 visa support
• A monthly stipend
• Travel expense for round-trip economy class air travel between India and the U.S
• Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges per U.S. Government guidelines
• A modest settling-in allowance
• A professional allowance
• Selected doctoral scholars will have opportunities to audit non-degree courses, conduct research and gain practical work experience in suitable settings in the U.S.
•  A dependent allowance and international travel for Postdoctoral Research, and Academic and Professional Excellence grantees. (The allowance is subject to availability of funds and on the condition that the dependent is with the grantee in the U.S. for at least 80% of the grant period. Flex grantees are not eligible for dependent benefits.

Eligibility Criteria

Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowships for Postdoctoral Research

• To be eligible for Fulbright scholarship one must be an Indian citizen in good health and high-level of academic achievements
• Applicants must have a Ph.D. degree within the past four years. S/he must have obtained a Ph.D. degree between July 15, 2017 and September 14, 2021. 
• Must possess Ph.D. or DM degree certificate/provisional Ph.D. or DM certificate.
• Applicants must have a publication in reputed journals and demonstrate evidence of superior academic and professional achievement. (to be uploaded on the application)
• Recommendation letters and research proposal 
• Employed Applicants have to follow the rules regarding employer’s endorsement. If applicable, obtain the endorsement from the appropriate administrative authority on the Letter of Support from Home Institution. The employer must indicate that leave will be granted for the fellowship period. 

Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowships for Academic and Professional Excellence

• Must be an Indian citizen in good health and high-level of academic achievements
• Faculty/researchers must have a Ph.D. degree or equivalent published work with  five years of teaching/research experience
• Professionals must have a master’s degree or  published work with recognized minimum five years of experience
• The applicant must upload recent publications on the online application for consideration
• Employed Applicants must follow the employer’s endorsement instructions.

 Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program

The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program is an excellent programme meant under Fulbright scholarships meant for young and mid-career professionals from developing countries who are committed to public service are invited to study non-degree graduate programs and related practical professional experiences. Women candidates and minority communities can apply for the fellowships as well. Here are the subjects covered by the program:

• Agricultural and Rural Development
•  Communications/Journalism
•  Contagious and Infectious Diseases
•  Economic Development
•  Educational Administration, Planning and Policy
•  Finance and Banking
•  Higher Education Administration
•  HIV/AIDS Policy and Prevention
•  Human Resource Management
•  International Religious Freedom
• Law and Human Rights
• Natural Resources, Environmental Policy, and Climate Change
•  Public Health Policy and Management
•  Public Policy Analysis and Public Administration
•  Substance Abuse Education, Treatment and Prevention
• Teaching of English as a Foreign Language 
•  Technology Policy and Management
• Trafficking in Persons, Policy and Prevention
• Urban and Regional Planning

The duration of the fellowship is for 10 months and for students who believe they can benefit from the program. 

Benefits

• Tuition and fees
• Monthly Maintenance Allowance
• Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges per U.S. Government guidelines
• Allowance for books and supplies,
• Round-trip international air travel to the host institution,
• Domestic travel to the Washington, D.C. workshop
• Allowances for professional activities such as field trips, professional visits, and conferences. 

This Fulbright scholarship does not provide support for dependents and includes activities where it is difficult to include family members/dependents.

Eligibility Criteria

• Must have a master’s degree or a professional degree of at least four years’ duration
• Five years of substantial professional experience in the respective field
• Must demonstrate leadership qualities
• Must have a record of public service in the community
• Must sign an undertaking to return to India after the fellowship is completed.

Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program

The Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program is another Fulbright scholarship. It is meant for candidates who are early career English teachers teaching at college level or professionals in related fields. Selected candidates are invited to US universities and assigned to teach languages like HIndu, Bengali and Urdu for the duration of 9 months.

Benefits

• A monthly stipend
• Health insurance 
• Travel support
•  U.S. host institutions provide tuition awards to support the required coursework
•  FLTA program does not provide J-2 visas for spouses or dependents

Eligibility Criteria 

• Must be a citizen of India
• Must display maturity, dependability, integrity, and professionalism.
• Fluency in English is mandatory. (79-80 on the internet-based TOEFL is required) 
• A master’s degree (by June 2022 to apply for August 2021) with a good academic record in English language, English/American Literature, American Studies, Linguistics, Comparative Literature, and related areas.
• Must be a  young teacher of English at the college level or training to become a teacher of English or is a young professional in a related field.
• Prior teaching experience is preferred.

How To Apply for Fulbright Scholarship Programs?

1. Click here to apply for the Fulbright Scholarship online.
2. Make sure to read the FNPostdoc Applicant Instructions before applying online.
3. Check the FNPostdoc Applicant list before completing your scholarship application.
4. Along with these, you must also fill the following and enclose them with your application.
   • FNPostdoc Applicant Annexure
   • FNPostdoc Letter of Support from Home Institution

Selection Process

All fellowship applications are reviewed before candidates and applicants are invited for the interview round. The interview is conducted with the USIEF National Selection Committee in New Delhi.

Here is the criteria used by the selection panel to evaluate the applications for fulbright scholarship:

• Students academic credentials and professional ability
• Students’ communication skills
• Commitment to community and national service 
• Merit of the proposed Fulbright project
• Purpose of research and the practicality behind research in US
• Outcomes, Benefits and potential impact
• Motivation, leadership, maturity, cultural adaptability, the seriousness of purpose
• Ability to contribute as a cultural ambassador in their field of study 

Fulbright Scholarships: Application Deadlines 2022-23

Here are the important dates and notifications for Fulbright Scholarships 2022-2023:

FAQs for Fulbright Scholarships

Know all about Scholarships for Indian Students to Study in UK

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