Fulbright Scholarship is an endowment program that aims to improve intercultural relations and diplomacy between citizens of the United States and other foreign nations. This initiative was launched by American senator J. William Fulbright post-world-war II in 1946.
Graduate students from various streams like agriculture, environment, humanities, business, science, and technology, among others, can actively utilize Fulbright scholarships. Additionally, artists and other professionals, researchers, and postgraduates are also covered under this scheme.
Through this program, people from over 160 countries can receive grants to study or research in the US. Since this Scholarship‘s initiation, it has become one of the most widely recognized academic programs worldwide.
The Fulbright Program operates under the Council of International Exchange of Scholars (CIES). But for Indian students, United States-India Education Foundation (USIEF) is the governing body.
Their goal is to help Indian students and professionals to get grants to aid their overall growth. Several Fulbright scholarships and fellowships are categorized based on the purpose of use.
Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships
Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowship
Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program
Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program for International Teachers
Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program
Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence Program
Fulbright Nehru Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
Fulbright Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Fellowships
Fulbright Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships
1. Fulbright Nehru Scholarships – Highlights
The Fulbright Nehru program is for Indian students and professionals. It is based on strict evaluations done through applications and interviews. The candidate must show up at the USIEF(United States-India Educational Foundation) head office in New Delhi.
If qualified, chosen applicants get complete guidance for the process of Visa approval, health insurance, travel, and other queries. There are several types of Fulbright Nehru Scholarships. Here are these at a glance.
Scholarship
Eligibility
Benefits
Deadline
Fulbright Nehru Master’s Fellowship
Bachelor’s degree
3-year work experience
Tuition fees, living arrangements, and health coverage
May 16, 2022 (for 2023-24 awards)
Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships
Research experience
Monthly stipend and other allowances
July 15, 2022
Fulbright-Nehru Postdoctoral Research Fellowships
PhD or DM degree dated not more than four years ago
Publications in journals
Monthly stipend and other allowances
August 17, 2022
Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Fellowships
Five years of relevant experience and a PhD degree
Monthly stipend and other allowances
July 15, 2022
Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowship
Granted at the three levels- Doctoral, Postdoctoral, Academic and Professional Excellence
Monthly stipend and other allowances
September 15, 2022
Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
Provides a year of professional enrichment in the US for experienced professionals
Tuition fee, living allowance and other expenses
–
2. Fulbright Nehru Master’s Fellowship
This fellowship program is for one to two years. It is reserved for candidates who wish to return to India on the grant’s completion and contribute to the betterment of society.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates should hold a US equivalent of a Bachelor’s degree
Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree of four years or a Master’s degree/full-time postgraduate diploma
Candidates should have worked for at least three years in their specific field
Candidates must have experience in community service and leadership
Candidates should not have a degree of education from the US prior to the application
Working candidates must get their employer’s endorsement
Benefits
Grants to cover tuition fees and living arrangements
Travel grants from home country to the institution location
Health coverage as per US guidelines
J-1 Visa support
Application Deadline – May 16, 2022 (for 2023-24 awards)
3. Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships
It is applicable for candidates in the pre-doctoral phase of their PhD program from an Indian institution. The program’s duration is about six to nine months. If a candidate holds a letter from a US institution, it should be mentioned beforehand.
Eligibility
The candidate should have research experience and be enrolled in a PhD program in India
The thesis submission date should be after three months of the grant end date
A portion of the writing sample from the research paper should be uploaded while filling out the application form
Employed candidates should get an endorsement indicating that they will be granted a leave for the program duration
Benefits
J-1 Visa support
Round trip air travel charges
Accident and sickness benefits as per US guidelines
4. Fulbright-Nehru Postdoctoral Research Fellowships
This Fellowship is meant for researchers and faculty who have recently begun their research careers. The duration of this program is from eight months to two years.
Eligibility
Candidates must possess a PhD or DM degree dated not more than four years ago
Publications in journals and proof of professional/academic achievements
Candidates should upload the latest publication on the application form
Employed candidates should receive endorsement from the administrative authority on the FNPostDoc letter of support from the home institution
Benefits
J-1 Visa support
Health coverage as per US norms
Monthly stipend
Settling-in allowance
Professional allowance
Dependent allowance for one member given that the individual stays with the grantee for over 80% of the program duration.
Application Deadline – August 17, 2022
5. Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Fellowships
This Fellowship is for professionals, researchers, and faculty who aim to research, teach, or both at any US institution. The duration of this program is four to nine months.
Eligibility
Candidates should have five years of relevant experience and a PhD degree
Non-academic candidates must have five years of relevant experience in addition to a Master’s degree
Candidates should add a file of the latest publications on the application form
Employed candidates should show proof of endorsement and be granted leave on the Letter of Support issued by the Home Institution
Benefits
J-1 Visa support
Monthly stipend
Economy air travel for round trip
Accident and sickness coverage as per US guidelines
Professional and settling-in allowance
For eight or nine-month grants, one dependent allowance and international travel are included. Applicable if the dependent stays with the grantee for more than 80% duration.
Application Deadline – July 15, 2022
6. Fulbright-Nehru International Education Administrators Seminar
This type of Fulbright scholarship is meant for college administrators and educators to get familiar with the US education process.
Eligibility
Candidates should be working at an Indian institution in a mid to senior-level position
Candidates should have been working in the same field for at least two years
Should be responsible for the growth of the international department of their institution
Proof of high-level professional/academic achievement
Benefits
J-1 Visa Support
Accident and sickness coverage complying with US norms
Economy round trip travel
Within US travel
Lodging and a per diem
Application Deadline – October 14, 2021 (for 2022-23 awards)
How to Apply for a Fulbright Scholarship
Candidates can apply online by filling out the application form for Fulbright scholarships by accessing the official USIEF website. You can follow the below-mentioned steps to apply.
Step 1 – Select the relevant applicant link based on your choice of Fellowship.
Step 2 – Here, you will see two options for existing and new users. Click on ‘Create an Account’ to continue further.
Step 3 – For the registration process, fill in details like First Name, Last Name, email address, and Date of Birth.
Step 4 – After clicking on ‘continue,’ you will receive a PIN code on your registered email address.
Step 5 – Now, pick a password that complies with all the complexity guidelines.
Step 6 – You will see that the screen shows no current applications. To move further, click on ‘Start New Application.’
Step 7 – After verifying the session year, click on ‘Create Application.’
Step 8 – After opening the application, you can see that the Welcome page lists down several guidelines. After reading them, click on the checkbox next to ‘Yes’ and then ‘Continue.’
Step 9 – Read through the Preliminary Questions and Employment Eligibility.
Step 10 – Verify that you have read the sections denoted to Data Privacy and Reference Materials Waiver.
Step 11 – Now, you can fill in the Personal and Biographical information to move forward.
Step 12 – Cover all application form pages, recheck for any mistakes, and save them.
However, do note that for the Hubert H Humphrey Fellowship Programme, you will have to download the application form from the official website. You can send it to humphrey@usief.org.in with the needed attachments.
Essential Documents Needed for a Fulbright Scholarship
Documents required for completion of the Fulbright Scholarship application process are:
TOEFL/GRE Score
A personal statement defining your goal and achievements
Diploma/Degree certificates
Scanned transcripts and mark sheets
Letter of References from the home institution – Three in number
FNDR endorsement form approved by the employer
FNDR application annexure
Passport
Optional – Letter of Invitation from the US-based university
Selection Criteria for Fulbright Scholarship Program
The below-mentioned factors are considered while considering the candidate’s application and interview.
Strong communication skills
Academic and professional credibility
Committed to serving the community and nation
Reason for pursuing research in the US
The credibility of the Fulbright project in question
Capability to continue as a cultural ambassador outside of their field
Adaptability to a new culture
Motivation, maturity, and leadership skills
Benefits and future impact created by the Fulbright Scholarship Program
Can I apply for multiple Fulbright scholarships in 1 year?
No, you can only apply for one Fulbright Scholarship per session.
On what basis are Fulbright scholars selected?
Fulbright scholars are selected purely on merit. The candidate should possess a good command of English, possess good health, and show dedication towards their nation and community service. Additionally, the applicant should meet all guidelines of their chosen program.
How long does the application review generally take?
Application review can take up to three or four months after the deadline. You can access the particular Fellowship’s page on the official USIEF website to check the same.
How long does the Fulbright program last?
A Fulbright scholarship grant can last from two months to two years based on the program you are eligible for.
How to apply for a Fulbright scholarship?
One can apply by filling out the application form for Fulbright scholarships by accessing the official USIEF website if they meet the eligibility criteria.
How to write study objectives for a Fulbright scholarship?
The study objective is an important document that you need to submit with your scholarship application. It concretely identifies your objectives for pursuing the said program and what you aim to take away. Explain how this program aligns with your future objectives.
How to write a personal statement for a Fulbright scholarship?
While the study objective requires one to talk about their specific program and desired takeaways, a personal statement, as the name implies, needs to describe your personality and important undertakings that have shaped you.
With over a decade of expertise in international education, Jyotsna has held impactful roles at the British Council, Unilodgers, a prominent UK university, and IDP Education, empowering countless students by not only enhancing their educational experiences but also by offering them guidance in securing essential scholarships and financial aid. She is dedicated to helping students achieve their academic goals through tailored guidance and financial support.
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