Position Summary
Position:
Institute:
The United States-India Educational Foundation
Country:
United States
Posted Date:
NA
Submission Start:
Aug/Sep 2027
Submission Deadline:
Jul 01, 2026
Offer Period:
6-9 months
Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships (2027-28)
Overview:
- The Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships are designed to build long-term capacity to address global challenges and develop innovative solutions in key priority areas in both India and the U.S. We encourage proposals that are futuristic, innovative and technology focused.
- Selected scholars will have the opportunity to conduct research, audit non-degree courses at U.S. academic institutions to enhance their knowledge and gain practical work experience in suitable settings in the U.S.
- These fellowships are designed for Indian scholars who are registered for a Ph.D. at an Indian institution. These fellowships are for six to nine months.
- The applicant will be affiliated to one U.S. host institution. USIEF strongly recommends all applicants to indicate affiliation preference, and to correspond, in advance, with potential host institutions. If the applicant has secured a letter of invitation from a U.S. institution, they must include it as a part of the online application.
Eligibility:
- 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 be at least three months after the Fulbright-Nehru grant end date. For example, if May 2028 is the grant end date, the applicant cannot submit their thesis before August 2028. Please indicate the Ph.D. registration date and the expected Ph.D. thesis submission date in the Applicant Annexure.
- The applicant should provide clear justification on the need for undertaking research in the U.S. and the U.S. institution identified for the research. They should have done reasonable study pertaining to their research objectives, especially in the identification of resources in India and the U.S.
- Applicant must be registered for Ph.D. at an Indian institution on or before November 1, 2025. On the online application form, one of the recommendation letters must be from the Ph.D. supervisor that comments on applicants’ research, need for the fellowship, and must indicate the Ph.D. registration date and topic.
- If the applicant is employed, they must follow the instructions carefully regarding employer’s endorsement. If applicable, please obtain the endorsement from the appropriate administrative authority on the FNDR Employer’s Endorsement Form. The employer must indicate that leave will be granted for the fellowship period; and
- The applicant must upload a copy of the original published/presented paper or extracts from the Masters’/M.Phil. thesis on the online application form (not exceeding 20 pages).
Employees of the Government of India and Indian State Governments are not eligible for any Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships. This includes civil servants in central services (such as IAS, IPS, IRS, IFS, and allied services), state government services (including state civil services), and bureaucratic staff employed in central and state ministries or departments. However, 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.
- Note: These fellowships are for pre-doctoral level research. Applicants with Ph.D. degrees or those at the final stage of Ph.D. thesis submission will not be considered.
Employment Conditions and Benefits:
Contract duration:
- 6-9 months
Benefits:
- The fellowships provide J-1 visa support, a monthly stipend, Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges per U.S. Government guidelines, round-trip economy class air travel, applicable allowances and modest affiliation fees, if any. No allowances are provided for dependents. The grant is not sufficient to support family members.
Application Process:
Documents Required:
Not Available
How to apply:
- Applications must be submitted online at: https://apply.iie.org/ffsp2027
- Please carefully review the FNDR Applicant Instructions before starting your online application.
- Please refer to FNDR Applicant Checklist before submitting the application.
- In addition, you must complete FNDR Applicant Annexure and FNDR Employer’s Endorsement Form (if applicable) and upload on your online application.
Timeline and Placement Process
- July 1, 2026: Application deadline
- End September 2026: Review of applications
- Early October 2026: USIEF informs the applicants about the review outcome
- Early November 2026: Interviews of shortlisted candidates
- December 2026: USIEF notifies the semi-finalists. Semi-finalists take TOEFL.
- December 2026:USIEF forwards applications of recommended candidates to the U.S. for J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FFSB) approval and placement
- April 2027: USIEF notifies the finalists about the FFSB approval
- May 2027: Pre-Departure Orientation
- August/September 2027: Program begins
IMPORTANT
- You can apply for only ONE Fulbright-Nehru fellowship category during a competition cycle.
- Plagiarism in the application will lead to disqualification.
- Some U.S. universities and colleges have developed and published policies on the use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) on applications for admission or affiliation with their institution. Some institutions may scan applications for the use of language produced by GenAI. While individual institutional policies range widely and policy responses from U.S. universities will continue to evolve, copying language/content produced by GenAI directly into your application may negatively impact admission or affiliation decisions.
- Incomplete applications will be rejected.
- Extensions and transfer of visa sponsorship will not be permitted.
About the Host Institution:
- USIEF offers a wide range of grants for Indian citizens, fostering opportunities for research, teaching, and professional development in the United States. These fellowships are designed to enhance academic and professional expertise, promote cross-cultural exchange, and build lasting relationships between India and the U.S.
- The Fulbright-Nehru grants provide exceptional opportunities for Indian student researchers. Ph.D. candidates enrolled at Indian universities can conduct a portion of their research in the U.S., benefiting from advanced resources and mentorship.
- For faculty, scientists, artists, and professionals, the Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Fellowships enable engagement in research, teaching, or a combination of both at U.S. institutions. Early-career researchers can also take advantage of postdoctoral fellowships to strengthen their research skills and establish international collaborations.
- USIEF also offers professional development programs tailored to young and mid-career professionals, providing them with opportunities for non-degree graduate study and professional experiences that enhance their leadership and technical skills.
- In the field of education, teacher development programs are available for schoolteachers, educators, teacher trainers, library media specialists, guidance counselors, curriculum specialists, and special education coordinators. These initiatives focus on enriching subject expertise, improving teaching methodologies, and deepening knowledge about the United States.
- To explore how these fellowships align with your aspirations, we encourage you to visit the Indian Fulbrighters and U.S. Fulbrighters pages. These pages highlight the inspiring projects and research undertaken by our fellows in both countries, showcasing the diverse and meaningful contributions they make. Moreover, USIEF’s team is dedicated to assisting you in connecting with alumni and current grantees in your field, city, or host institution. If you need guidance or wish to establish these connections, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Explore Other Fellowships:
You may also be interested in the following postdoctoral research positions. These opportunities are currently open at universities and research institutes worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is a research fellowship?
A research fellowship is a funded position that supports researchers, scholars, or students to carry out independent or supervised research at a university, institute, or research organization for a fixed duration.
Who can apply for research fellowships?
Eligibility depends on the fellowship scheme. Applicants may include undergraduate students, master’s students, PhD scholars, postdoctoral researchers, or early-career faculty, depending on the program requirements.
What types of fellowships are available?
Fellowships can include PhD fellowships, postdoctoral fellowships, international mobility fellowships, industry-linked fellowships, and short-term research fellowships offered by governments, funding agencies, universities, and foundations.
Are fellowships salaried positions?
Most fellowships provide a monthly stipend or fellowship amount, along with additional benefits such as research grants, travel allowances, contingency funds, or housing support, depending on the program.
What is the typical duration of a fellowship?
Fellowship durations vary widely, ranging from a few months to several years. PhD fellowships often last 3–5 years, while postdoctoral and international fellowships usually range from 6 months to 2–3 years.
Can international candidates apply for fellowships?
Yes. Many fellowship programs are open to international applicants, especially global mobility fellowships, bilateral exchange programs, and international postdoctoral fellowships.
Do fellowships require a host institution or supervisor?
Most research fellowships require applicants to secure a host institution and supervisor before applying. Some programs allow applications first and matching with a host later.
Disclaimer:
This fellowship is published for informational purposes. Please refer to the official application link for the most accurate and up-to-date details.