Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships

Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships 2025 offer Indian scholars the opportunity to pursue their PhD Course (Doctor of Philosophy) in the United States. Awarded by the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF), these fellowships provide support for up to six years, covering tuition, fees, a living stipend, round-trip airfare, and other related expenses. The program is designed to promote advanced research in diverse fields such as science, technology, humanities, and social sciences. Additionally, fellows gain access to academic resources and professional networks to enhance their research expertise.

If you are a doctoral student in India looking to conduct research in the United States, the fellowships present a remarkable opportunity. Offered by the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF), these fellowships provide access to world-class academic resources, valuable research experience, and collaboration with American scholars. This guide covers everything you need to know about the fellowship, including eligibility criteria, the application process, and the benefits it offers.

Below are the key dates for Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships 2025.

Also Read: L'Oréal India For Young Women In Science Scholarships

You can check out the key highlights of Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships 2025 in the table below.

Also Read: JIO Scholarship

The Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships aim to provide Indian PhD scholars with the opportunity to conduct part of their research in the United States. The primary objectives of the fellowship are:

1. Research Enhancement – To enable Indian PhD scholars to conduct high-quality research at a U.S. institution that enhances their doctoral work.

2. Academic Collaboration – To facilitate academic and professional collaboration between Indian and U.S. institutions.

3. Skill Development – To help scholars gain exposure to advanced research methodologies, tools, and resources not readily available in India.

4. Cross-Cultural Exchange – To promote mutual understanding between India and the U.S. by fostering cultural and intellectual exchange.

5. Capacity Building – To contribute to India’s academic and professional growth by equipping researchers with global perspectives and expertise.

Also Read: Kotak Kanya Scholarship

This grant is designed for PhD students to conduct research essential to their dissertation/thesis. To be eligible, you must ensure that your expected PhD thesis submission date is at least three months after the Fulbright-Nehru grant ends. For instance, if your grant ends in May 2027, you cannot submit your thesis before August 2027. You must also indicate both your PhD registration date and expected thesis submission date in the Applicant Annexure.

Check out the eligibility requirements for Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships 2025 

1. Justification & Research Alignment

• You must provide a clear justification for conducting research in the US, specifying the institution where you plan to work.
• You should demonstrate that you have thoroughly researched resources related to your study available in both India and the US.

2. PhD Registration Requirement

• You must be registered for a PhD at an Indian institution on or before November 1, 2024.
• One of your recommendation letters must be from your PhD supervisor, highlighting your research, and need for the fellowship, and stating your PhD registration date and research topic.

3. Employer’s Endorsement (If Employed)

• If you are employed, you must follow the required process to obtain an employer’s endorsement.
• You need to submit the FNDR Employer’s Endorsement Form, which must confirm that you will be granted leave for the fellowship duration.

4. Research Work Submission

• You must upload a copy of a published or presented research paper, or extracts from your Master’s/M.Phil. Thesis (not exceeding 20 pages) as part of the application.

5. Government Employees Ineligibility

• If you are an employee of the Government of India or an Indian State Government, you are not eligible.
• This includes civil servants from central services (IAS, IPS, IRS, IFS, etc.), state services, and bureaucratic staff in central or state ministries/departments.

6. Pre-Doctoral Research Only

• This fellowship is strictly for pre-doctoral level research.
• If you already have a PhD or are in the final stage of your PhD thesis submission, you will not be considered.

Also Read: Atul Maheshwari Scholarship

The application process is conducted online and includes the following steps:

• Step 1: Visit the official website and register to begin your application.
• Step 2: Login and fill out the required details, ensuring there are no grammatical errors.
• Step 3: Submit all necessary documents in PDF format as per the guidelines.
• Step 4: After successful submission, you will receive an email confirming your application.

Also Read: Tata Capital Pankh Scholarship

The selection process is highly competitive and involves multiple stages to ensure that the most deserving candidates are chosen. The key steps are as follows:

The Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowship selection process consists of application reviews and interviews for shortlisted candidates. The key steps are:

• Evaluation Criteria: Selection is based on academic merit, research strength, project relevance, and the applicant’s learning potential.
• Expert Review: Subject-matter experts assess applications and forward the best candidates to the USIEF Selection Committee.
• Interviews: Shortlisted candidates appear for interviews with the USIEF National Selection Committee for final evaluation.

Also Read: Reliance Foundation Scholarship