The Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships offer Indian doctoral candidates from Indian institutions an opportunity to conduct research in the United States from six to nine months during the 2026–27 academic year. The United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) administers the Fellowships for the U.S. Department of State. The Fellowship is designed for scholars who are registered at an institution in India and who hopefully are near the end of their Ph.D.
Comprehensive support from Fellowship funding includes monthly stipend, accident and sickness benefits, round-trip economy airfare, applicable allowances, and institutional affiliations if applicable. The program promotes intellectual and academic exchange and strengthens relationships between India and the U.S. by fostering research collaborations with significant impact.
Who is Behind this Scholarship?
The Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships 2026–27 are offered by the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF).
- USIEF promotes educational and cultural exchange between India and the United States.
- It administers prestigious fellowships which support Indian scholars with advanced research in the U.S.
Who is eligible?
This scholarship program is for early stage Ph.D. scholars in India who are conducting research in appropriate areas, with emphasis on identification of resources in India. The applicant must meet these eligibility criteria:
Eligibility criteria:
1. Be a national of India
2. Be a Ph.D. scholar registered in an academic institution in India before 1st November 2024
3. Have undertaken adequate study in the relevant area in particular with regard to identification of resources in India
4. Have good academic achievements as demonstrated by academic transcripts and letter of recommendations.
Important Information:
1. These fellowships are for doctoral students at an early stage of their research.
2. Not Eligible - applicants for whom the Ph.D. has been completed or is at the end stage of the thesis process.
What Will You Receive?
Participating academic researchers will benefit from all the needed support in the U.S. to carry out their research according to the prescribed terms of the scholarship program, which makes this a great financial support. Each East-West Center benefit is meant to cover each of the major expenses related to the research stay, i.e.:
Benefits are:
- A monthly stipend to cover living expenses
- J-1 Visa process support
- Accident and sickness coverage (per U.S. Government exchange program)
- Round trip airfare economy class
- Allowances, if applicable, and minor affiliation fee, if any
Additional Important Points for Clarification:
- No dependent allowance.
- Grant will not be sufficient for family members living expenses.
How to Apply?
Eligible applicants can apply for the fellowship by submitting an online application which involves a step-by-step process**. Please be attentive to the details you include in the application, especially personal information like your name (it must match your passport exactly).
Steps:
- Click the ‘Apply Now’ button to begin the application process.
- On the dashboard, click ‘Register’ and enter the necessary particulars to complete your registration.
- If you are a first time user, click ‘Create an Account’. If you are a returning user, please click ‘Login’.
- If you are registering, please enter your email address, your first and last name and your date of birth and click ‘Continue’.
- When you receive a PIN in your email, please enter that to activate your account and create a password.
- Once you have created your account please complete the application forms, step by step, and upload all required documents in the specified format.
- If requested please submit other information required.
- Finally, please submit the completed form.
Documents Required
Applicants will need to prepare and upload documentation to accompany their application for the Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships 2026–27. The documents help assess academic quality, readiness for research, and eligibility.
Documents required:
- Your passport (scanned copy of the identification page)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)/Resume
- Your academic transcripts and other degree/diploma certificate (from bachelor’s degree to start date of your intended research)
- Language test scores (as required by the host institution or visa purposes)
- A personal statement about your academic goals and objectives for research, including significance of your project
- A writing sample (maximum 20 pages)
- Certificate of Ph.D. registration (scanned copy)
- FNDR Applicant Annexure (specific to the Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research program)
- FNDR Employer’s Endorsement Form (if applicable)
- A letter of invitation from a U.S. institution (if applicable/available)
- An original published or presented paper (or) extracts from Master’s/M.Phil. thesis (maximum 20 pages)
What Are the Selection Criteria?
The selection process for the Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships 2026-27 is highly competitive and multi-tiered; it consists of application screening, national-level interviews, and a final review meeting with the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF).
Selection Process & Criteria
- Initial screening of all applications and review for eligibility and completeness
- National interviews in Delhi for candidates selected after initial screening
- Academic excellence and a strong research proposal from global and Indian contexts
- Relevance of the proposed research to mutual understanding and collaboration between India and the U.S.
- Excellence of the applicant's academic and professional record
- Leadership skills, capacity to adapt, and experience in making contributions to community/ society
- Strong letters of reference
- Final selection by USIEF based on overall merit, alignment with field objectives, and program mission
What Are the Important Dates?
To be eligible for the Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships 2026-27, applicants must follow the official timeline. The deadline, correct completion of the application, and other restricted points are key.
Key Dates:
- Application Deadline: 15 July 2025
- Late applications WILL NOT be considered.
- Incomplete applications are automatically rejected.
