Fulbright-Nehru Distinguished Scholar (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 Distinguished Scholars also work with Indian faculty on curriculum and program development, and conducting occasional lectures, workshops, and seminars both at their host institution and other institutions around India. 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. A recommended teaching load for distinguished scholars would not exceed one course per term (generally three hours of teaching per week.)
Note: Distinguished Scholars are provided a generous domestic travel stipend for guest lectures and professional engagements across India.
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 be 4 months.
Grants may begin any time between July 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026.
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.
In-Country Grant Related Travel for Distinguished Scholar
The Fulbright Commission in India provides up to $2000 for travel and accommodation expenses for delivering lectures/ talks or conducting workshops across India. These events can be organized by the Commission upon recommendation from the scholar or receiving invitations from other institutions for hosting the scholar.
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 on the USIEF website.
- If the applicant doesn’t have a preferred host institution, USIEF can assist. For suggested host institutions, please contact Priyanjana Ghosh, Senior Program Officer: 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 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.
Applicants for this award must have more than thirteen years of experience in a discipline or area of expertise. The Distinguished Scholar award is designed for eminent scholars with substantial experience and publications in their respective fields.
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.
U.S.-India Educational Foundation - Fulbright Commission in India
For suggested host institutions, please contact Priyanjana Ghosh, Senior Program Officer: Priyanjana@usief.org.in.
$6,000 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.
A one-time teaching/research allowance of up to $750 provided on a reimbursable basis for specific allowable expenses.
Additional living allowance of $200 per month per dependent, up to a maximum of three dependents who accompany the grantee for at least 80 percent of the grant period.
Travel for up to two accompanying dependents is also provided as long as the dependents accompany the grantee for at least 80% of actual grant duration in India.
Tuition reimbursement for up to $5,000 per child or $10,000 per family for accompanying dependent children in grades K-12 on a reimbursement basis.
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.
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.
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 in pursuing health or medical related research may require additional approvals. USIEF will guide candidates through the process.