Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships are awarded to Indian students to pursue a master’s degree at US universities. It is designed for deserving students who demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities. It would help if you were committed to returning and contributing to communities in India after course completion via scholarship. It is offered in fields of study and the application process is stringent. To know more about eligibility, documentation, and how to apply, read this blog further.
Table of contents
Overview of Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships
Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships is one of the best international scholarships to study in the US. It’s a prestigious funding program that is open to Indian students to pursue postgraduate studies in the US. It is funded by the US Department of State and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
This fellowship provides financial assistance to cover tuition fees, living expenses, and round-trip airfare. Other benefits include J-1 visa support and coverage for accidents and sickness as per the US guidelines
| Fellowship Amount | Up to USD 20,000 for tuition fees and USD 3,000 for books, supplies, and a monthly stipend |
| Duration | Awarded for up to 2 years to pursue a Master’s degree |
| Deadline | May 15, 2024 |
| Eligibility | Indian citizens with an equivalent US bachelor’s degree and have at least three years of work experience |
| Field of Study | Open to a wide range of fields, including science, technology, engineering, mathematics, arts, humanities, and social sciences |
Also Read: Check out the details of the best options to avail of an education loan to study abroad. This blog talks about the Top Indian Banks providing education loans in the USA.
Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship, you must hold a bachelor’s degree and have relevant work experience. Those who demonstrate leadership skills and are endorsed by their employer are given preference. Let’s explore the important criteria that are essential for a successful application-
- Hold a bachelor’s degree: Must have completed a four-year US equivalent bachelor’s degree or a postgraduate diploma from a recognized Indian institution.
- Have work experience: Must have at least three years of full-time, paid work experience related to your proposed field of study.
- Demonstrate leadership: Must show evidence of leadership and community service to be selected and placed at US universities by the Institute of International Education (IIE).
- No prior US degree: Should not have a previous US degree or be currently enrolled in a US program.
- Employer Endorsement: If employed, you must obtain a letter of endorsement from your employer stating that you will be granted leave for the fellowship period.
- Student Visa: Must apply for a student visa and maintain a minimum bank balance for a US visa.
Eligible Courses
It is important to choose the field of study that matches your interests. However, applications are invited for eligible courses only as stated by the authorities under the Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship. These are-
- Economics
- Environmental Science/Studies
- Higher Education Administration
- International Affairs
- International Legal Studies
- Journalism and Mass Communication
- Public Administration
- Public Health
- Urban and Regional Planning
- Women’s Studies/Gender Studies
Documents Required
You are required to submit certain documents that include a CV, essays, letters of recommendation, academic transcripts, and proof of work experience to apply for the Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship. Here’s the list of documents that must kept handy-
- Completed Application Form: The online application form filled out accurately.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): A detailed CV outlining academic qualifications and work experience.
- Letters of Recommendation: Two to three letters of reference from professional or academic contacts.
- Statement of Purpose: An essay detailing your motivations for applying, your academic interests, and how the fellowship aligns with your career goals.
- Academic Transcripts: Copies of transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended.
- Proof of Work Experience: Documentation verifying at least three years of relevant professional experience.
- Language Proficiency: Evidence of English language proficiency (e.g., TOEFL or IELTS scores) may be required depending on the program.
- Additional Documents: Any other documents specified by the selected field of study or the application guidelines.
Also Read: If you want to know more about collateral-free education loans for the USA, check out this blog.
Fullbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships Application Process
The application process for the Fullbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship is online. The deadline to apply was 15 May 2024. You will be selected based on academic excellence, competency and skills, leadership potential, and community service experience. Check out the application process in detail.
- Applications must be applied on this link.
- Visit the application portal and create an account to start the application process.
- Fill in personal information, educational background, and work experience.
- Prepare and upload the required documents.
- Review the application for accuracy and completeness before submitting it.
- Shortlisted candidates will be notified and invited for an interview conducted by the USIEF.
- Successful candidates will be informed about their selection and the next steps in the process.
Please note that the applications containing plagiarism will be disqualified. Also, the selected candidates do not need to apply separately to US institutions; the IIE/Fulbright Program will apply on their behalf to four institutions based on preferences.
Timeline and Placement Process
The deadline for submitting applications is typically May 15 each year. Here’s the proper timeline and placement process that can help you keep track of your application status-
| Timeline | Event |
| May 15, 2024 | Application Deadline |
| Mid to End June 2024 | Review of Applications |
| Early August 2024 | Notification of shortlisted candidates |
| End August 2024 | Interviews of short-listed candidates |
| September 2024 | Notification of principal and alternate nominees where they take tests such as TOEFL and GRE |
| October 2024 | USIEF forwards applications to the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FFSB) for approval and placement |
| March/ April 2025 | Notification of finalists about FFSB approval |
| May/ June 2025 | Pre-Departure Orientation |
| July/ August 2025 | Pre-academic training in the US (if required) |
| August/ September 2025 | Degree program begins |
Important Guidelines
Applicants must follow these important guidelines to improve their chances of being successful when applying for Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship-
- You can only apply for one Fulbright-Nehru fellowship category per application cycle.
- You cannot apply for both Fulbright-Nehru and Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowship grants in the same academic year.
- Avoid plagiarism in your application; it will lead to disqualification.
- Applications submitted before February 2, 2024, will not be considered.
- Ensure all mandatory documents are included; missing documents will result in rejection.
- Be aware of potential travel restrictions or program changes due to public health conditions.
This was all about the Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship. If the applications are not accepted, you can always choose to apply for education loans for MS in the USA.
To know more about education loans, the best bank accounts for students, forex and banking experience for global students or international money transfers, reach out to our experts at 1800572126 to help ease your study abroad experience.
FAQs
Yes, Indian citizens are eligible for Fulbright-Nehru fellowships, which are designed specifically for deserving Indian students who demonstrate excellent leadership skills.
Indian citizens who have a bachelor’s degree equivalent to a US bachelor’s, at least 3 years of professional work experience, and are committed to returning to India after their studies are eligible
The fellowship provides up to USD 20,000 for tuition fees and USD 3,000 for books, supplies, and a monthly stipend. However, the exact amount varies depending on the program and institution.
Apply online, submit required documents like transcripts and essays, interview if shortlisted, and get placed at a U.S. university by the Institute of International Education (IIE).
There is no age limit for the Fulbright-Nehru fellowships.
The deadline for submitting applications is typically May 15 each year. For the academic year 2024-2025, it was 15 May 2024. In case you missed the deadline, you can apply next year.
The application deadline is around May 15, 2025. Interviews will be held in August 2025. Placements are made by October 2025. The program begins in August/September 2026.
