Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships 2027-2028
The United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) has called for applications to the 2027-2028 Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships. Indian PhD students who wish to conduct a research project in the U.S. for six to nine months are eligible for the fellowship.
USIEF states that the aim of the program is to develop long-term relationships to address future challenges and promote innovative, forward-looking, and technology-oriented research. The fellows will also be able to take non-degree courses at American universities and enhance their knowledge base.
Fellowship Objective
The purpose of the fellowship is to fund research that will benefit these priority areas in India and the U.S. USIEF has called for futuristic, innovative, and technology-oriented research proposals.
Research Areas
The following areas are open: critical minerals and supply chains, defense and security, energy security, science and research (cooperation), space (cooperation), and technology and innovation.
The areas of particular interest include the fields of geology, materials science, mining engineering, cybersecurity, aerospace engineering, robotics, energy engineering, petroleum engineering, artificial intelligence, semiconductor engineering, astrophysics, planetary science, satellite communications, data science, quantum computing, and electrical and electronics engineering.
Fellowship Benefits
The fellowship will cover J-1 visa, a monthly stipend, an Accident and Sickness Program (as indicated by the U.S. government), round-trip air travel (economy), applicable allowances, and a small affiliation fee, if any. Dependents are not supported.
Eligibility Criteria
Indian scholars enrolled in a PhD program at an Indian university are eligible. The final submission date for the thesis should be three months after the end of the fellowship.
The applicant should be registered for their PhD by November 1, 2025. One reference must be from the PhD supervisor, including the applicant’s name, research topic, date of registration, and the need for the fellowship.
They should also justify their need for research in the U.S. and name the U.S. host institution. They should have carried out enough research relating to their research goals and resource identification in India and the U.S.
Who Is Not Eligible
The Government of India and state government employees are not eligible. This excludes civil servants (bureaucrats) working in ministries and departments. But researchers, scientists and academicians from CSIR, ICAR, DRDO, ISRO, ICMR, DBT, DST laboratories, BARC, IISc, IITs, and other centrally funded institutions and universities are eligible.
Those who already have a PhD or are in the final phase of thesis submission will not be eligible.
Documents Required
Candidates need to attach a copy of an original paper published or presented in a conference or a part of the master’s or M.Phil. thesis, not more than 20 pages. If working, an employer’s endorsement on the given form to take leave for the duration of the fellowship is also required.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online through the official portal:
Applicants should also review the FNDR Applicant Instructions, FNDR Applicant Checklist, FNDR Applicant Annexure, and, if applicable, the FNDR Employer’s Endorsement Form before submitting the application.
Important Dates
- Application deadline: July 1, 2026, 23:59:59 hrs IST.
- Review of applications: End September 2026.
- Interviews of shortlisted candidates: Early November 2026.
- Semi-finalists notified: December 2026.
- Finalist notification after FFSB approval: April 2027.
- Program begins: August/September 2027.
Important Notes
Applicants can apply for only one Fulbright-Nehru fellowship category during a competition cycle. Plagiarism will lead to disqualification, and incomplete applications will be rejected.
If you’d like me to provide you with a step-by-step guideline along with the research proposal for the Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships, get in touch with our team!