Fulbright Scholarship India: Eligibility, Deadlines, Benefits and Documents Required

Types of Fulbright Scholarships

There are multiple types of Fulbright for Indian students that you can get. They have awarded nearly 11,128 Fulbright Fellowships to Indians and Americans till now. Given below is a list of prominent Fulbright Scholarships for Indian nationals

1. Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships
2. Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowship
3. Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
4. Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program
5. Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program for International Teachers
6. Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program
7. Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence Program

Fulbright Nehru Scholarship India

Fulbright Nehru Scholarship India allow the most exceptional academics, students, and professionals in India and America to research, study, and teach in the host country.

The selection process is based on a rigorous evaluation of the participant’s application and interview. Upon selection for Fulbright for Indian students, you are provided guidance with the visa process, securing health insurance, and various other benefits. There are 5 types of Fulbright fellowship India:

• Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships
• Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships
• Fulbright-Nehru Postdoctoral Research Fellowships
• Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Fellowships
• Fulbright-Nehru International Education Administrators Seminar

Fulbright Scholarship India Eligibility & Deadlines

The eligibility and requirements of becoming a Fulbright-sponsored student vary drastically depending on your country of residence. There are a few basic eligibility that all candidates must meet before applying. General eligibility requirements for a Fulbright fellowship India requirements are:

• Residing in India during the time of application.
• Outstanding Academic/professional history
• Your knowledge of the English language must be at a level that allows successful completion of the program undertaken and unhindered adjustment to life in the U.S.
• Must be available at the USIEF office in Delhi for an interview.
• Must be in good health.
• Not allowed to apply for a green card (permanent residency) in the U.S.
• Give an undertaking confirming their return to India after the completion of their fellowship.

The deadlines for submitting required documents for various Fulbright scholarships are usually between the months of January to June. However, scholarship deadlines have varying dates with respect to the country you apply from and the nature of the scholarship being offered. You can find the list of Fulbright scholars from India online. The following basic documents are required for making a Fulbright scholarship application:

1. Official Transcripts
2. LOR (3)
3. Online/Paper Application
4. GRE score
5. English Language Proficiency Score (TOEFL).

The requirements mentioned above do not include all the documents necessary for a complete Fulbright scholarship application. Requirements will vary depending on the applicant’s country of residence and the nature of the application.

Fellowship-Specific Eligibility Requirements

All the fellowships and scholarships mentioned above have their own eligibility requirements. You must adhere to the eligibility before applying.

Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships:

In addition to the general eligibility requirements, the following are additional eligibility requirements for applying to Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships:

1. Four-year undergraduate degree from any recognized Indian university. If the bachelor’s degree is less than four years, the candidate must have completed a master’s degree.
2. Paid work experience of at least three years prior to the submission of their application in a field relevant to their college/university education.
3. The candidate must exemplify experience in leadership and community service.
4. Applicants must not possess any previous degrees from the U.S. and mustn’t be enrolled in any American degree programs.
5. If the candidate is still employed, s/he should carefully follow the instructions regarding the employer’s endorsement.

Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Fellowships:

1. Relevant research in the desired field and should be registered for Ph.D. at a recognized Indian institution
2. One of the recommendation letters on the online application form should come from the Ph.D. supervisor and must mention the date and the topic of research.
3. The expected thesis submission date shouldn’t be earlier than three months after the Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral grant end date.
4. A writing sample (published paper/master’s thesis extract) must be uploaded by the applicant while filling the online application form.
5. If the candidate is employed, they should carefully read the information regarding the employer’s endorsement and follow the instructions accordingly. If applicable, the candidate needs to get FNDR Employer’s Endorsement Form (available at USIEF website) filled by their employer.

Fulbright-Nehru Postdoctoral Research Fellowships:

1. The applicant must have completed their Ph.D. not more than four years prior to the date of application. All candidates are required to upload their Ph.D. degree/provisional certificate while applying.
2. Candidates must have published articles in renowned journals and should portray academic supremacy.
3. If the candidate is employed, s/he must follow the employer’s endorsement instructions carefully.

Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Fellowships:

1. In addition to five years of experience in research/teaching, the candidate must have a published work or a Ph.D. degree.
2. For candidates who are not in academia, possession of a master’s degree or equivalent published work in addition to five years of relevant work experience is required.
3. A recent publication must be uploaded by the candidate in the online application.
4. Candidates who are employed must follow the employer’s endorsement instructions carefully.

Fulbright-Nehru International Education Administrators Seminar:

1. The applicant should be a college or university administrators (deans, department heads, vice-chancellors, etc) at mid-level or senior level in India.
2. Must possess at least two years of experience in the relevant field.
3. Should maintain a high level of academic/professional achievements.
4. Must have the responsibility and the will to reform the curriculum of their institute to make it more internationally enhanced by implementing international collaborations, exchange, etc.

Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowship Deadlines, Eligibility, and Benefits

The Fulbright-Kalam Climate fellowship addresses and resolves immediate as well as long-term climate change threats in the US and India. The USIEF oversees the exchange of scientific and technical researchers between both countries in order to make a sustainable change in Fulbright commission India.

Fulbright-Kalam Climate Doctoral Fellowship

The Fulbright fellowship for Indian citizens are for people enrolled in a Ph.D. program at a recognized Indian institute, which supports selected candidates for six to nine months.

• Benefits: 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.
• Eligibility: Same as Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Fellowship.
• Duration: Six to nine months.
• Application Mode: Online
• Application Deadline: July 15, 2024.

Fulbright-Kalam Climate Postdoctoral Fellowship

The scholarship is designed for Indian researchers and faculty who are in the initial stage of their research careers. These fellowships provide the selected candidates with an excellent opportunity to fortify their research capabilities while accessing top-notch resources in their areas of interest.

• Benefits: J-1 visa support, a monthly stipend, Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges per U.S. Government guidelines, round-trip economy class air travel between India and the U.S., a modest settling-in allowance, and a professional allowance.
• Eligibility: Same as Fulbright-Nehru Postdoctoral Fellowship
• Duration: Eight to twelve months.
• Application Mode: Online
• Application Deadline: July 15, 2024.

Other Fulbright Fellowship Programs

Apart from the scholarships mentioned above, the Fulbright Scholarship Program includes various other fellowship programs that international students, professionals, and teachers can avail.

Hubert. H Humphrey Fellowship Program

The program is designed for young and accomplished professionals who have a commitment to their own country’s development. It allows professionals from developing countries to study in a nondegree graduate program for 10 months at a participating university in the U.S.

National Institute on Drug Abuse Fellowship

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Fellowship gives training to people who are focused on substance abuse and the public health concerns surrounding substance abuse. Mental health, social work, psychology, counseling, and medicine are some of the focus areas that these fellowships cover. Candidates who get selected for the NIDA are trained in prevention research, treatment, substance abuse policy research, and epidemiology.

Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Program

The FLTA program is funded by the U.S. Department of State. College-level English teachers can apply to this 9-month fellowship, which involves them being a teaching assistant at American Universities. FLTA candidates from India will be teaching assistants in Hindi, Urdu, or Bengali classrooms in specific U.S. campuses. FLTA fellowship holders will have an opportunity to enhance their teaching skills, English language proficiency, and have a better understanding of the U.S. culture.

Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program for International (FDAI) Teachers

Teachers at all levels from selected countries are given the opportunity to attend a semester-long program at a U.S. university where they can take up individual or group projects, share ideas and experiences with other teachers, and take up courses for professional development.

Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program

This is a six-week-long nondegree fellowship program that provides a handful of teachers an opportunity to enhance their knowledge of the relevant subjects, hone their teaching skills, and gains a better understanding of the USA’s culture.

What does it mean to be a Fulbrighter?

For many international candidates, studying in the USA is nothing short of a dream. The Fulbright Scholarship program is a source that recognizes that dream and makes it come true for only the most deserving applicants.

• The Fulbright program strengthens and enhances international understanding while striving to provide solutions to critical global issues.
• Fulbrighters across the globe are active participants in fields such as environmental protection, food security, public health, etc.
• They (Fulbright scholarship holders) are the leaders of today, and a better tomorrow.
• Fulbright alumni have made outstanding achievements, been honored with Nobel Prizes, become heads of state, and leaders of scientific innovations.
• Fulbrighters are a testament to the power of international exchange and how lives can be transformed through it.

The Fulbright scholarship is an excellent opportunity for students, researchers, professionals, artists, and teachers across the globe who have had outstanding academic/personal achievements. Applications for various fellowships under the Fulbright program are released annually.