Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Awards (All Disciplines)
India
Number of recipients
In addition to being a prestigious academic exchange program, the Fulbright Program is designed to expand and strengthen relationships between the people of the United States and citizens of other nations and to promote international understanding and cooperation. To support this mission, Fulbright Scholars may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host community, in addition to their primary activities.
For research, teaching, or a combination of teaching and research activities. Teaching can include co-teaching, guest lectures, workshops, seminars. Many Fulbright scholars also work with Indian faculty on curriculum and program development. Applicants may determine the percentage of the grant dedicated to each activity and should define this clearly in the project abstract/summary and the project statement. Opportunities for guest lectures at other India universities may also be available.
Affiliations are available throughout India except for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. In addition to a valid visa or OCI Project Clearance, prior approval from the Government of India may be required for traveling to protected/restricted areas as designated by the Government of India. These areas include Arunachal Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and parts of Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand. Scholars should consider this before finalizing their institutional affiliations or research projects.
According to Government of India regulations, Fulbrighters must be affiliated either with institutions/organizations of higher education approved and listed on the website of the Indian Ministry of Education, including institutions accredited AICTE, UGC and other Apex Level Bodies of the Ministry, or medical institutions accredited by the Medical Council of India (MCI).
Note: Fulbrighters cannot be affiliated with non-government organizations (NGOs), think tanks, research organizations or other institutions that are not recognized by these regulatory bodies.
Applicants are encouraged to indicate their affiliation preference and secure an invitation letter from an institution when possible. If the applicant does not have a preferred host institution, USIEF can assist with identifying an appropriate one. Affiliations will be finalized by the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) after the grantee is selected. USIEF reserves the right to change the affiliation if the one indicated in the application is unsuitable for any reason.
Grants may begin any time between July 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026.
Grants may be 4 to 9 months; Flex grants may be 4-6 months.
Flex grants are available for research, teaching or a combination of teaching/research activities. Applicants should indicate in their project proposals how they intend to engage with the host institution and academic community beyond their research project.
Note:
- For Flex awards, grantees must enter the first segment of the grant anytime from July 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026 for no less than one month. All grant activities must be completed by August 31, 2027. USIEF will bear the cost of up to three airline tickets for Flex grantees for up to three separate visits to India.
- All applicants should clearly indicate their preference for a Flex grant in the Fulbright application. Grantees will not be permitted to switch to Flex grants after the selection process.
The Flex Award is designed for scholars who require multiple visits to the host country. This option allows grants to be conducted over two or three short segments. Applicants must select Flex in the application form, and clearly describe their plans for Flex in their project statement, including a project timeline. Flex grantees may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host-country academic community.
While applications in all fields will be considered, strong preference will be given to the following academic disciplines:
Agricultural Sciences; Anthropology; Bioengineering; Chemistry; Computer Science (including, but not limited to, cyber security, digital economy, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning and big data analytics); Earth Sciences; Economics; Education Policy and Planning; Energy Studies; History; Language/Literature/Linguistics; Materials Science (with emphasis on environmental applications); Mathematical Sciences; Neurosciences; Performing Arts; Physics; Political Science (including, but not limited to, International Security and Strategic Studies); Psychology; Public Health (including, but not limited to, pandemic preparedness and comprehensive surveillance (genomic surveillance, sewage surveillance, serosurveillance)); Public Policy; Sociology; Urban and Regional Planning (with emphasis on smart cities and waste management); Visual Arts; and Women’s and Gender Studies.
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
- Applicants are encouraged to identify appropriate host institutions for their projects. USIEF encourages prospective applicants to contact current and former grantees about participating in the Fulbright Scholar Program and invites you to read their bios provided by USIEF.
- If the applicant doesn’t have a preferred host institution, USIEF can assist. For suggested host institutions, please contact Priyanjana Ghosh, Senior Program Officer at Priyanjana@usief.org.in.
- Applicants who have been in touch with potential host institutions should include any correspondence in the application, such as letters of invitation or expressions of interest.
- Appropriate placements will be finalized for selectees by USIEF.
- Applicants who do not indicate a preference for a host institution (especially those applying for teaching grants) and are open to an affiliation at an institution outside major metropolitan areas are encouraged to indicate this in their applications.
- Although academic calendars vary across institutions, Fulbright-Nehru teaching scholars have historically arrived in India in either July/August or in January. Applicants are encouraged to inquire about the ideal grant dates for the host institution when requesting an invitation letter.
All teaching will be in English; additional language proficiency is not required.
For research, basic knowledge of a local language in the location of research can be an advantage; applicants are not required to submit a language proficiency evaluation.
- Awards are open to practicing professionals and faculty of any academic rank. Early and mid-career academics are encouraged to apply.
- Applicants without significant experience in India are encouraged to apply, as are India specialists.
- Scholars who can contribute new methods of pedagogy, specifically interactive methods, group work and project-based learning are encouraged to apply.
- Scholars may be placed at institutions with varying academic/administrative arrangements; undergraduate colleges often make optimum use of visiting scholars.
- Archaeological Research: Applicants must clearly state in their proposals whether they will need to visit excavation sites. Selected candidates in this field will be required to fill out a form that USIEF will submit to the government of India for obtaining special clearance from the Archaeological Survey of India.
- Archival Research: Applicants should clearly state in their proposals whether they will need to consult records and/or papers in the National Archives, New Delhi or in state archives. USIEF will obtain the necessary letter from the U.S. Embassy, which will be required for a scholar’s entry into the archives.
- Public Health/ Medical Research: Applicants pursuing health or medical related research may require additional approvals. USIEF will guide candidates through the process.
U.S.-India Educational Foundation - Fulbright Commission in India
For suggested host institutions, please contact Priyanjana Ghosh, Senior Program Officer: Priyanjana@usief.org.in.
$4,000 per month. Support in arranging housing will be provided by USIEF and the host institution.
- Round-trip international travel for grantee.
- One-time baggage allowance of $350 for grants up to four months and $600 for grants longer than four months. The allowance is paid at the end of the grant period upon submission of final reports to USIEF and IIE.
For Flex, grantees will receive:
- A maximum of three round-trip tickets for the grantee only as indicated in the Fulbright application
- One-time baggage allowance of $350 paid at the end of the final phase of the grant upon submission of final reports to USIEF and IIE.
A one-time teaching/research allowance of up to $750 for grants of six months or less and up to $1,000 for grants longer than six months, provided on a reimbursable basis for specific allowable expenses.
Dependents must accompany the grantee for at least 80% of the period abroad to qualify for additional dependent benefits. A living allowance of $200 per month per dependent for up to a maximum of three dependents. Travel allowance provided for up to two dependents.
Tuition: Up to $5,000 per child or $10,000 per family for accompanying dependent children in grades K-12 on reimbursement basis
Flex grantees: $200 per month per dependent living allowance provided for up to two dependents of flex grantees. Dependents must accompany the grantee for at least 80% of the total period abroad to qualify for additional dependent benefits of. Note that no tuition or travel allowances are provided for dependents of flex grantees.
Dependents must accompany the grantee for at least 80% of the period abroad and a minimum of one semester in order to qualify for additional dependent benefits. Dependent benefits are not provided to Flex grantees.
South and Central Asia Fulbright Regional Travel Grant
With additional funding provided by the United States Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, during their grant period, Fulbright Scholars in the South and Central Asia (SCA) region may apply for a regional travel grant to engage in a variety of activities at academic institutions or non-profit organizations in eligible SCA countries (Bangladesh, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan). Activities that U.S Scholars may engage in include: faculty and student lectures, graduate or faculty seminars, conferences, curriculum development, public lectures, panel presentations, needs assessment, or some combination thereof. Scholars in the arts may be invited to give master classes or recitals, participate in exhibitions or workshops, or consult with cultural institutions. Activities may not include research. This grant will cover travel to and from the destination and lodging may be offered by the hosting institution. Scholars may only apply for this grant once they are in country on their Fulbright grant, and as funds are limited, may only participate in one Regional Travel Grant during their Fulbright grant.
Before traveling to another country on a Regional Travel Grant, it is important to confirm trip details with the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section or Fulbright Commission in that country.
South and Central Asia Fulbright Conference
With funding provided by the United States Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the U.S.-India Educational Foundation (the Fulbright Commission in India) invites eligible Fulbright grantees in the South and Central Asia region to attend the annual South and Central Asia Fulbright Conference in India (usually held in February or March). The conference is an opportunity for Fulbright U.S. Scholars and U.S. Student Researchers who are on their Fulbright grants in the SCA region at the time of the conference to gather to discuss each other’s work, network, and share their experiences as international exchange participants.
Financial assistance to attend the conference is provided as an additional Fulbright grant benefit.
Final grant amounts will be determined prior to the start of the academic year and are subject to the availability of funds. The United States Department of State and the Fulbright Commission in the host country reserve the right to alter, without notice, participating countries, number of awards and allowances.
Final grant amounts will be determined prior to the start of the academic year and are subject to the availability of funds. The United States Department of State and the Fulbright Commission in the host country reserve the right to alter, without notice, participating countries, number of awards and allowances.
India
The United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF), the Fulbright Commission in India, offers more than 50 Fulbright U.S. Scholar grants across four award categories for the 2025-26 academic year. The Fulbright-Nehru and Fulbright-Kalam programs offer one of the largest numbers of U.S. Fulbright scholar grants worldwide.
Since its inception in 1950, USIEF has awarded over 21,000 fellowships funded by the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Education, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Indian Department of Science and Technology (DST), and other entities.
On July 4, 2008 the United States and India signed a historic new Fulbright agreement making India a full partner with the United States in the governance and funding of the Fulbright Program. The U.S.-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) awards Fulbright-Nehru and Fulbright-Kalam Fellowships under the agreement. The increase in funding under the agreement has allowed for an expansion in the number of fellowships and the development of new and innovative programs.
USIEF provides in-country support for all Fulbrighters through its five offices in New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Mumbai.
India is the world’s largest democracy, with a vibrant and growing economy, rich history, incredible diversity, and an enormous appetite for education. Its education system is among the largest in the world and continues to expand at a rapid pace. India attracts faculty and students to study, teach and conduct research across a wide variety of academic disciplines. The academic year in India generally runs from July to April. Some institutions have adopted the semester system and others follow the traditional academic session with grading based on end-of-year examinations.
India’s education priorities include increasing access and equity and improving the quality of teaching and research. The Indian higher education system follows the British model, and all instruction is in English. The system is comprised of universities and university-level institutions, colleges, and diploma-awarding institutions (e.g., polytechnics and specialist institutes). Institutions are also categorized by funding sources: central government, state government and private. Undergraduate admission is highly competitive and is exam-based for most disciplines and institutions.
In July 2020, the Union Cabinet of India approved the New Education Policy (NEP), which replaces the National Policy on Education (1986) and aims at universalization of education from pre-school to secondary level. The policy offers a comprehensive framework for elementary education to higher education and is set to bring major changes in the education system of India, such as a new 5+3+3+4 structure, introduction of vocational education training at younger levels, allowing top foreign universities to set up campuses in India, and a move towards institutes becoming more multi-disciplinary. The policy is based on the pillars of “Access, Equity, Quality, Affordability, Accountability” and aims to transform India into a vibrant knowledge hub.
As you prepare your Fulbright application, we encourage you to visit the Current Fellows page on the USIEF website to learn more about kinds of fellowships that USIEF has funded in the past.
Details regarding U.S. Scholar alumni to India can be found in the Fulbright Scholar Directory. Read more about Fulbright Scholar Alumni Ambassador, Professor Jeff Withey, who collaborated with microbiologists at the National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases in Kolkata.
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.