Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships

About the Program

Comprehensive guide for Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships. Get eligibility details, stipend amounts, and registration instructions here.

Benefits & Financial Support

$50,000 to $80,000 (approx. ₹54.0 Lakh+)

The Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships are generally fully funded, covering major expenses. This includes J-1 visa support, round-trip economy airfare from the fellow's home city to the U.S. host institution, tuition and academic fees, living and related expenses, and accident and sickness coverage as per U.S. Government guidelines. However, USIEF funding may not cover all costs, and the fellow might need to supplement grant benefits with other resources. The fellowship does not provide financial support for dependents. An estimated annual amount for tuition and living costs in the U.S. can range from $50,000 to $80,000 USD (approx. 4,150,000 INR to 6,640,000 INR, assuming 1 USD = 83 INR). The estimated annual amount provided is an average of this range.

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  Nationality and Residency:Must be an Indian citizen residing in India at the time of application. Indian citizens with active permanent resident status in foreign countries or those applying for/holding a U.S. green card are not eligible.

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  Academic Qualification:Must have completed an equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree from a recognized Indian university with at least 55% marks. This typically means a four-year bachelor's degree, or a completed master's degree or a full-time postgraduate diploma if the bachelor's degree is of less than four years' duration (to meet the 16 years of education requirement).

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  Work Experience:Must have at least three years of full-time (paid) professional work experience relevant to the proposed field of study by the application deadline.

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  Leadership and Community Service:Must demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities and commitment to community service.

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  English Proficiency:Must demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants may be required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

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  Commitment to Return:Must give an undertaking to return to India upon the completion of the fellowship to contribute to their communities.

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  Prior U.S. Study:Must not have another degree from a U.S. university or be currently enrolled in a U.S. degree program.

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  Employer's Endorsement:If employed, applicants must obtain an endorsement from the appropriate administrative authority confirming that leave will be granted for the fellowship period.

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  Government Employees:Employees of the Government of India and Indian State Governments are generally not eligible, with some exceptions (e.g., faculty at IITs, IIMs, IISc, CSIR labs, National Labs). Applicants should check the USIEF site for specific institutional exceptions.

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  Fields of Study:The fellowship is for specific fields of study deemed important for India's development, including: Economics; Environmental Science/Studies; Higher Education Administration; International Affairs; International Legal Studies; Journalism and Mass Communication; Public Administration; Public Health; Sustainable Development/Sustainability; Urban and Regional Planning; and Women's Studies/Gender Studies.

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